“I would like to see people like this locked up so they can’t influence three juvenile kids to go and teach them how to do wrongdoings.”
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Honolulu police are hoping for harsher penalties against adults who involve children in crimes.
Three teens are facing second-degree burglary charges following a recent crime spree. State and community leaders say social and economic problems increase the risk of harmful behaviors among youth.
“I would like to see people like this locked up so they can’t influence three juvenile kids to go and teach them how to do wrongdoings,” stated Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Major Brian Lynch. “Now we have a new generation of criminals coming up in the world, which we really don’t need.”
A 22-year-old man, two 16-year-olds and one 15-year-old were arrested and accused of a string of business break-ins on Thursday, Oct. 17. The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) said it received calls from multiple businesses shortly before 11 p.m.
The alleged thieves started in Wahiawa before heading to Waipio, then Foster Village. They proceeded to run on foot when their vehicle then broke down.
“They were in different areas of the neighborhood. The crew units came to the area, set up a perimeter, and methodically searched through backyards and parks,” said Major Lynch.
According to the Department of Human Services, families struggling to access quality health care, education, economic stability, food and more lack accountability and supervision of children.
“It just comes down to poverty-stricken communities. Violence, drugs and crime being kind of the norm,” stated Lisa Tamashiro, Adult Friends for Youth Director of Operations and Special Programs. “They start normalizing destructive behaviors. It’s just kind of wired in their brain that this is how life is.”
Adult Friends for Youth receives about 450 to 600 citations annually from HPD to help children who run away, skip school or are out past 10 p.m. without an adult, to more serious offenses like smash-and-grabs.
“We ultimately want to prevent youth from being on the streets unaccompanied, because we do know that there are dangerous adults who are targeting some of our vulnerable youth,” Tamashiro continued.
Officials said it will take more than just a village to raise our youth.
“It’s really going to take organizations, schools and communities to really become proactive in providing more positive opportunities, experiences and activities for all our youth. They really deserve to also have a peaceful, safe and nurturing environment to thrive,” said Tamashiro.
HPD is urging businesses to have alarm and security surveillance systems. The suspects who were arrested have been charged with burglary.