Jones County deputies urge parent involvement after rise in juvenile crime

Deputies cite summer property crimes and say officers will remain visible near schools and neighborhoods before and after classes.

GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Jones County law enforcement is urging parents to stay involved in their children’s lives as students return to school following an increase in juvenile crime over the summer.

Over the summer break, Jones County responded to several incidents involving juveniles, including a 14-and 15-year-old accused of turning over and damaging a vending machine at the recreation center. A 17-and 18-year-old were also charged with picking up teenage girls and providing them alcohol. Lt. Crystal Murphy with the Jones County Sheriff’s Office says juvenile crime increased because kids were out of school and had more time on their hands.

“In the summer we generally see more property crime from juveniles,” Murphy said. “Just being out of school, they’re out and about more with friends walking and roaming around. We get more entering auto stuff, just going through cars to see what they can get. Juvenile crimes going on at our rec departments and stuff.”

Murphy says kids need structure and discipline.

“Not having that structure from being in school and having that freedom of coming and going, it just leads them to getting into mischief and things they shouldn’t be doing,” Murphy said.

Resource officer at Clifton Ridge Middle School Deputy Mike Pruitt says parents’ presence is key.

“Participate in their life,” Pruitt said. “A lot of kids, anything to do with the internet, they are geniuses at. But play ball with them, video games and board games. Just participate in their life and let them know, ‘Hey I’m here if you need me.'”

Murphy says law enforcement will continue to be present in schools and neighborhoods before and after the school day, keeping an eye on teens and working to prevent further incidents.