Gilbert task force proposes 12 measures to address teen violence, council hears preliminary report

Gilbert Town Council members on Dec. 17 heard a preliminary presentation from the Community Engagement Task Force that laid out 12 recommendations aimed at preventing teen violence in the town and surrounding East Valley communities.

Melanie Dykstra, volunteer and community resources manager for the town of Gilbert and staff liaison to the task force, told the council the group met from June through December after the council directed recruitment in April. "There were 108 ideas" generated, she said, and the task force narrowed those to a final list of 12 recommendations across three categories: education, awareness and resources.

Natasha Ash, task force chair, described the education package as including a school ambassador program of junior-high and high-school student representatives, hands-on classes at Gilbert recreation centers and libraries, and parent education — including exploring mandatory classes for parents whose teens have been involved in violent behavior. "Teen leadership works because teens have more of a unique understanding of their peers," Ash said, arguing peer-led efforts can identify early signs and promote de-escalation.

On awareness, the task force recommended exploring a regional East Valley Coalition for Teen Violence Prevention to coordinate schools, community organizations and law enforcement; creating a dedicated town web page to publish progress and measurable goals; and a teen-led social media campaign to promote nonviolent behaviors.

The resource recommendations call for a comprehensive support system for teen ambassadors (quarterly meetings with town officials, leadership training and mentoring), youth events with food and mobile Parks & Recreation programming to reach underserved areas, and a stronger social media strategy to highlight available services. Ash also urged increasing school resource officer (SRO) coverage where feasible, saying the program "usually" operates at "1 SRO to 100 of students," which she described as insufficient.

Assistant Chief Bessegley of the Gilbert Police Department told the council the department had been involved in every step and emphasized that "working together, we can build a safer, more supportive environment for the future leaders of our community, our youth." Dykstra and Ash said the task force relied on briefings from PD, Parks & Recreation and academic partners and used an impact-effort matrix to prioritize options.

Council members responded with questions and praise. One council member emphasized the report is preliminary and that the town cannot solve the issue alone, calling for continued collaboration with public, charter and private schools and parents. Council Member Bongiovanni singled out youth events and the teen ambassador proposal as items she hopes to bring forward over the coming year. Vice Mayor Anderson said the recommendations reflected what listening-session participants had asked for.

The mayor recounted meeting 32 students across 14 high schools in April and said many told him they would feel "more uncomfortable" with additional SROs on campus and had not heard about teen violence prior to a recent incident — a reminder, he said, to center youth perspectives when implementing policies.

The presentation was described as a preliminary report; council members were told feedback from this session would be incorporated into a final report to come back to the council. No motions or formal votes were taken during the study session; the council adjourned the topic and planned a subsequent meeting at 6 p.m. for a student recognition event.