CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Police have seen a surge in juvenile crime since the end of the school year, responding to 249 incidents involving adolescents since the last day of classes, resulting in 43 juveniles being charged with non-violent criminal activity.

These charges range from curfew violations to vehicle burglary, joyriding and criminal impersonation, according to a news release from Clarksville Police spokesman Scott Beaubien.

Additionally, CPD has charged several juveniles in violent crimes: a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old for criminal homicide, a 17-year-old for aggravated assault/reckless endangerment, a 14-year-old for aggravated burglary, and a 17-year-old for aggravated domestic assault.

Need for juvenile detention center

Beaubien said that since May 24, officers have spent more than 30 man-hours transporting juveniles to and from a juvenile detention center hours away.

CPD has accumulated over 650 man-hours this year transporting juveniles, costing taxpayers thousands of dollars in wages and transportation costs. This does not take into account the hours spent by juvenile support staff who work to find an available location/facility when needed, he said. “The amount of time spent transporting juveniles to and from facilities outside of our jurisdiction continues to detract from the day-to-day operations of our officers,” he said.

Robert J. Nash, district attorney general, called the surge in juvenile crime “staggering” and said it “should shock the conscience of the citizens of Montgomery County. This three-week period of juvenile crime is evidence of the need for a juvenile detention facility in Montgomery County.

“I encourage parents and family members to supervise these young people,” Nash said. “The criminal justice system is a poor substitute for parental supervision. Further, the District Attorney’s Office has no other choice but to prosecute juvenile offenders to the fullest extent of the law and, when applicable, to prosecute said juveniles as adults.”

Curfew law ignored

According to the Tennessee curfew law for minors, children 15 or younger are prohibited to be out without supervision between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following day. Children older than 15 but younger than 18 are prohibited from being unsupervised between 1 and 6 a.m.

This doesn’t apply if the minor is traveling for business reasons or on an emergency errand directed by a parent or guardian, or if the minor is a member of the armed forces or married to one.

Numerous resources and programs are available for children over the summer months, Beaubien said. CPD’s Juvenile Engagement Team and the City of Clarksville Parks and Recreation are both hosting events and activities for youth and teens. For more information, visit the city’s website to learn more.

Cars left unlocked

So far this year there have been 234 vehicle burglaries, with 48 firearms stolen from vehicles. In the majority of these reports, the vehicles were left unlocked and the keys or key fob were left inside the vehicle. In some instances, the vehicle was left running and unoccupied. The Clarksville Police Department continues to urge the public to “Park Smart”:

  1. Lock your vehicle.
  2. Secure your valuables (including firearms).
  3. Take your keys/key fob with you.
  4. Don’t leave your vehicle running and unattended.

Clarksville Police are continuing to allocate resources and extra patrols in affected areas and urge the citizens to be vigilant.