Trending
The Dunkirk Police Department released information Friday about a series of incidents involving juveniles.
"Over the past several months, the Dunkirk Police Department has observed a significant and concerning increase in incidents involving juvenile offenders throughout the city of Dunkirk," the release stated. "These incidents have included trespassing, burglaries, theft, assaults, threats involving weapons, and other criminal activity. In several of these cases, juveniles have also physically resisted responding police officers."
The department described seven incidents since Sept. 24. Four of them involved physical violence against other people, or the threat of it. Here are the four incidents:
-- Sept. 24: Officers located a 13-year-old female and a 15 year-old female trespassing inside a school building. When confronted by officers, the 13-year-old refused to leave after being directed to do so and subsequently resisted officers. She also threatened a school staff member.
The 13-year-old was petitioned to Family Court on charges of third-degree criminal trespass, resisting arrest, second-degree obstructing governmental administration, and second-degree harassment. The 15-year-old was petitioned to Family Court on a charge of second-degree criminal trespass.
-- Oct. 10: Officers responded to an address for a reported home invasion. During the incident, one of the residents was allegedly stabbed. Investigation involves several juvenile suspects remains ongoing.
-- Oct. 24: Officers responded to a local business for a reported menacing incident. The business owner reported that a 15-year-old juvenile had tampered with property inside the business and, when confronted, threatened the owner with a knife.
The juvenile was petitioned to Family Court on charges of second-degree menacing and third-degree criminal tampering.
-- Oct. 28: Officers responded to an address for a reported robbery. They determined that two 14-year-old males had allegedly forcibly taken property from the victims, damaged the property and subsequently assaulted and choked the victims. When located by police later that evening, both juveniles physically resisted officers.
One juvenile was petitioned to Family Court on charges of second-degree robbery, criminal obstruction of breathing, third-degree criminal mischief, and second- degree obstructing governmental administration. The other juvenile was petitioned on charges of second-degree robbery and second-degree obstructing governmental administration.
Additionally, the parents, Loren Duman and Maria Ramos, were charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
"In addition to the incident outlined above, the Dunkirk Police Department has responded to several large scale fights involving juveniles over the past months," the police department's release added.
"When juveniles repeatedly engage in disruptive, unruly, or criminal behavior that results in police intervention, the responsibility cannot simply be placed on law enforcement to address the behavior after the fact," the release continued.
"The Dunkirk Police Department takes these incidents seriously. Parents and guardians must also take them seriously. Addressing this growing concern requires accountability, parental involvement, and cooperation from the entire community."