Meridian, MS - Following the update on the arrest and charge of 16-Year-Old Montae T. Dixon, the Meridian Police Department released a statement asking parents to “pay attention to their kid and what they’re doing, as most crimes are being committed by juveniles.”
“Parents have to take accountability for their children’s actions, because if they don’t and they’re not trying to help or be a part of the solution rather than being a problem, we can’t move forward in trying to stop crime.” says Detective Chanetta Stevens.
Chanetta Stevens is the Meridian Police Detective and has noticed more crimes in juveniles during summer vacation, when kids may not have anything to do, or can be easily influenced. “A lot of times those actions lead to really bad consequences. And a lot of times juveniles don’t realize they can be punished just as well as adults can be punished.”
So, what’s the difference between Juvenile and adult offenses? “Generally violent crimes or sexual crimes they can be tried as adults but in certain circumstances they can also be tried in juvenile court, and the juvenile system makes a determination whether or not those children should be tried as an adult based off the crime.”
Detective Stevens feels parents play a major role in helping put a stop to juvenile crime. “A lot of the time these children are being influenced by friends, social media, games, so if we’re not nosy and in our children’s business, we don’t know what’s going on with our children.”
The Meridian Police wants parents and the community to come together as a whole to put a stop to juvenile crimes and all crimes in general.
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