Colin Flaherty Commentary News Video "Youth leaders monitor Sacramento shopping centers after mall fights" teen black mob violence mayhem argy bargy large fights jump on cars destroy property riot police called arrest
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) — Sacramento police increase security efforts at the Delta Shores shopping plaza Monday after a string of fights and chaos at Arden Fair Mall.
Hundreds of teenagers gathered at Arden Fair Mall twice last week in “coordinated acts of aggression,” according to mall spokesperson Nathan Spradlin. Several teenagers fought as many others watched.
The mayhem caused the mall to shut down early Saturday. There were no arrests, but over the weekend police issued a citation to one girl for allegedly carrying a taser.
On Monday, as Sacramento police, Delta Shores security and Allied Universal security patrolled the shopping center's parking lot, about 20 community leaders pounded the pavement as well. Pastor Les Simmons, with the South Sacramento Christian Center, said they came to Delta Shores after seeing teenagers share social media posts about meeting there.
“We’re here to gather with them to just be a light, be the ministry of presence, as well,” Simmons said.
Some of the mentors, coaches and youth leaders at Delta Shores also met with the teenagers at Arden Fair mall during the commotion last week. Simmons said part of the problem is the lack of opportunities for the youth.
“We have to continue to create spaces,” he said. “This has been a two-week window for young folks to just roam around. I think a lot of boys and girls centers could be open, community centers could be open, to really funnel some of these youth that have a lot of energy into these facilities.”
When you don’t have activities that are positive for them to be engaged in, they will, like all young people have done over the ages, find something negative to get into,” Roberts said.
Roberts hopes the petition will help allocate some Measure U funding to youth services in Sacramento.
“With a dedicated youth fund and a city council that recognizes the importance of youth activities, that we will begin investing again in our young people,” he said.
https://www.kcra.com/article/youth-leaders-monitor-sacramento-shopping-centers-after-mall-fights/25716989
Updated: 7:11 PM PST Dec 31, 2018
Marlei Martinez
