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Arlington Police arrest three in connection with public fighting
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Arlington Police arrest six in connection with public
fighting
- Community leaders rally to eradicate public fights
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The Arlington Police Department hosted a press conference at 9 a.m.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at the West Police Service Center to address the issue of teens
fighting in public. The comments from each speaker are listed below. Click the link to go
directly to a speaker's comments.
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Arlington Deputy Police
Chief James Hawthorne
Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Mac Bernd
NAACP President Rita Sibert
African-American Chamber of Commerce President Bob
Phanelson
Pastor Tom Schlueter, Prince of Peace Church in Arlington and director of Arlington Prayer Net
Assistant Pastor Leonard Hornsby, Bethlehem
Baptist Church in Mansfield
Closing comments, Arlington Deputy Chief James
Hawthorne
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| OVERVIEW, ARREST INFORMATION, Deputy
Chief James Hawthorne, Arlington PD |
We're here today to bring to your attention a disturbing and violent
trend that has made headlines nationally and even worldwide: youths fighting each other in
public just for bragging rights on a DVD. We recently learned that this problem had
erupted in our city, particularly in southwest Arlington, and we are here today to
announce our efforts to combat this issue.
We will not stand idly by as these crimes are being committed and today announce a
collaborative, zero-tolerance effort.
First, some background. On March 11, a group of youths attacked a 16-year-old Arlington
boy outside his southwest Arlington home, causing so many serious injuries that he had to
be taken by CareFlite helicopter ambulance to the hospital. The Arlington Police
Department immediately began an investigation and learned about video evidence of the
assault on a suspect's home computer. After obtaining a search warrant, the video was
found and is now evidence in an ongoing criminal investigation. As evidence, it is not
releasable to the public at this time. However, in searching for that evidence, detectives
found an alarming two-hour video depicting more violent fights. In just a second, we will
view a short clip of that video, a DVD which has been on sale online for $15-$20. It
depicts dozens of fights occurring on school campuses, in public parks, on business
parking lots and in residential streets throughout southwest Arlington. Shockingly, the
clips of these fights were even set to music.
These images are graphic and unsettling. Please roll the video.
[ A video clip was played depicting groups of teens fighting in various locations. Some
involved were clearly injured and bleeding. ]
We believe that these atrocious acts must be stopped. So last week, we met with community
leaders and school officials who are represented here today to discuss this problem and to
work toward solutions to keep our youth safe. Our community partners have risen to the
challenge and will detail their respective efforts. We are also in coordination with the
Tarrant County District Attorney's Office to prosecute criminals who commit these brutal
acts.
Unfortunately, the fights on the video we just showed were committed by willing
participants. Sadly, they were encouraged by their peers. Arlington police did not see an
increase in aggravated assault calls because the people involved did not file police
reports to press charges and often fled when officers arrived. Even the victims did not
stay on the scene to report offenses against them. Investigators spent weeks working with
Arlington and Mansfield school officials to identify those injured in the fights, but were
in most cases unable to do so. Even those who were identified and located were
uncooperative and did not want to prosecute. Because of this, we encourage anyone who has
been a victim of these public fights to come forward and file a report so we can begin an
investigation.
But the teen who was injured in the March attack was clearly not a willing participant in
the fight. And so, after weeks of diligent investigative work, interviews and forensic
analysis of computers, detectives were able to identify six suspects.
[ Click here for updated information and photos of those arrested ]
Fights in public are a threat to public safety. They are violent, criminal acts that could
result in people being injured or even killed. Crime is not an acceptable form of
entertainment and it will not be tolerated.
To that end, the Arlington Police Department is committed to partnering with our community
leaders to prevent these fights and resolve this community issue. We will implement a
maximum-enforcement and zero-tolerance approach with all the perpetrators of public
fights. Those who engage in public fighting could be arrested for several offenses,
including aggravated assault, fighting in public, engaging in organized crime and criminal
mischief. Even those who watch are subject to arrest. Texas law allows those identified as
"active spectators" to be charged as "accomplices" for fighting in
public. Police can also seize cameras, cell phones and other devices used to record
fights. These are just some of the felony and misdemeanor criminal charges that suspects
face. Keep in mind that victims, property owners and others could also pursue civil
charges against suspects and their families in civil courts.
Having either adults or children condone this senseless fighting by watching it in person,
recording it, and purchasing or viewing a DVD sends the wrong message about what is
acceptable behavior. Working with our partners in this zero-tolerance approach, we are
seeking the support of our community of get rid of this dangerous and vicious trend. |
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| AISD'S EFFORTS, Dr. Mac Bernd, Superintendent
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| The AISD feels it is imperative that the community as a whole understand
that this is not a school issue - rather it is a community issue. We are committed to
standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Arlington PD, local churches and other community
organizations to bring an end to this horrible practice. Rest assured that all
disciplinary action that can be taken by the district, will be taken. We cannot allow this
practice to continue. Parents need to get involved and know that is going on with their
children. Monitor their activities, know with whom they are talking and with whom they are
texting. Technology is allowing young people to communicate in ways that many of us cannot
imagine. We in the AISD are committed to assisting the authorities in their
investigations. |
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NAACP, President Rita Sibert
(817-654-5445, rsibert1@hotmail.com)
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| The Arlington Branch NAACP stands firmly with the all the community
leaders represented here today, as well as other concerned community leaders, to denounce
any negative youth activity, and in particular, these staged fights. This inhumane and
disgusting activity must stop now. We love the young people of our community, and we take
seriously our responsibility to engage them in positive, uplifting, self-esteem building
activities. We ask for the support of our community, in particular the parents and
guardians of these children. Without your unconditional support, we cannot succeed in
ridding our community of this negative influence. |
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| ARLINGTON AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE, President Bob Phanelson |
| The African-American Chamber of Commerce is appalled at the idea of
marketing vicious fights for a profit. We have a very grave concern that this activity is
occurring and that it appears that a local radio station whose target market is that same
audience is endorsing the violence. We strongly suggest that they reverse that perception.
It is unacceptable to promote negative behaviors instead of inspiring positive actions to
the benefit of all in the community. We want all businesses to realize that they have a
responsibility as corporate citizens. Businesses should realize the power that they have
through their formats and music over the very lives of the people - the youth - who are
listening to them. The Arlington African-American Chamber of Commerce encourage businesses
to do their part by denouncing this horrific activity, spreading the message of its
consequences, and inspiring productive behavior. |
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CHURCH EFFORTS, Pastor Tom Schlueter
(Prince of Peace Church, 817-274-5111)
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As pastors of the city, we put our full support behind the police
department, the school district, and all other community services to make this a community
effort to deal with this violence. At noon today, we will have pastors gathering at Prince
of Peace to converse with Chief Hawthorne and to strategize our efforts. As pastors, we
know that is not the destiny of our youth, therefore we want to find ways to secure a good
future for them, and we'll work with the police department and the community to do that.
We would encourage all the churches in the city, schools and the parents to rally behind
this effort and encourage more positive activity. |
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| CHURCH EFFORTS, Assistant Pastor
Leonard Hornsby |
| As pastors and ministers, I believe it is always the responsibility of
the churches to see to the needs of the community, not just the ecclesiastical community,
but the communities at large that we serve. Therefore, we are in full support of the
Arlington Police Department's efforts to eradicate this behavior. Whenever our children
are involved, it takes the entire community to speak to that. Elected officials, local
authorities, and parents - with the heavier weight being on the parental role - should all
take action. Our prayers are with the city of Arlington, the Arlington police department
and the school district as they wage the war against this destruction of our future
leaders. |
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| CLOSING, Deputy
Chief Hawthorne, Arlington PD |
| As you can see, the many players here today represent a multi-faceted
community approach to resolving this issue. We believe that everyone in our community can
play a role in reversing this trend. Parents should discuss with their children the dire
consequences of participating in such criminal activity. Involved parents are among our
best assets in preventing crime. Look at the text messages and images or videos your
children's phones and don't allow them to abuse the privilege of having a cell phone.
Promote your children to be responsible, law-abiding citizens and work with police to
prevent and if necessary, investigate these crimes. We ask children and students to report
fights before they happen to their campus Crime Stoppers program, which could even make
them eligible for a monetary reward. |
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| Click here for possible charges for public fighting |
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