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Teens behaving poorly is a problem a lot of our communities are facing, and officials are finding ways to curb the presence of out-of-control teenagers by enforcing curfews and requiring chaperones
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In this week's episode of Street Soldiers, Lisa Evers takes a closer look at what officials are doing to get troubled teens back on track
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From vandalism and shoplifting to broad daylight shootings, teens are at the center of behavior controversies and violent crime
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While most youth do the right thing, those who cross the line are doing it more often and increasingly with a gun in their hand
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Teens fighting and brawling in shopping areas has become such a concern
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Some malls, chain stores and even fast food restaurants are banning underage teens unless they're accompanied by an adult
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Student leader Jason Bostic says the overarching theme behind the chaos and unrest is poverty
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We have to think about the things that these people are going through, the neglect that fell them in school, the neglect that fell them from policing
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There's a bunch of systems that fell individuals before the system catch them
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The Council on Criminal Justice says during a six-year study ending in 2022, murders by teens jumped by 65 percent
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The number of teens using guns rose by 21 percent. The NYPD says the average age of the trigger pullers keeps dropping and is now under 19 for the first time
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The shocking surveillance video of a broad daylight shooting shows bullets spraying a playground and being fired over the heads of a family It from a 73 murder and shooting indictment of 20 alleged gang members
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13 were under 17, and 10 are already behind bars on other cases
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To see it will show you what they go through as they're trying to live their everyday lives
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And it must stop. Our youth must stop choosing guns and gangs
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New York City Probation Commissioner Juanita Holmes says there's a small percentage of teens
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arrested and rearrested who are behind most of the disorderly conduct and crime
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They're responsible for the bulk of the arrest. So it's recidivism the same way it's driving New York City Police Department
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Naturally, those numbers are applicable to probation. Most parents and leaders agree youth programs can be a big positive influence
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New York City Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Mona Suazo says there are many more available than people realize, all listed on nyc.gov slash dycd
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For example. We have the Saturday Night Lights. This is a citywide program
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It's a partnership to keep the gyms open on Saturday nights. This is when young people may be more susceptible to get into trouble
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We dive into this issue as well as realistic solutions on the next episode of Street Soldiers
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I look forward to having you join us Friday night after the 10 o'clock news
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I'm Lisa Evers, Fox 5 News
