As a candidate for mayor, I believe it is my duty to address an issue that has been quietly affecting our community: juvenile crime and violence. Many of you may be unaware of the extent of this problem, while others, particularly parents whose children have been directly involved or have shared their experiences, have been frustrated by the lack of open discussion and action from our local government.

𝟰𝟬𝟱 𝗷𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟱 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀.

It's time to break the silence and confront this issue head-on. Recently, I obtained a report detailing 405 juvenile arrests in Lewisville from December 5, 2022, to March 11, 2024. The numbers are alarming:

- Drug-related offenses: 90

- Theft: 71

- Assault: 49

- Evading Arrest or Detention: 30

- Burglary: 9

- Other offenses: 13

These statistics are unacceptable, and they highlight the urgent need for action. We must also acknowledge that these numbers do not paint the full picture. Many incidents of juvenile crime and violence go unreported, and the impact on victims and their families is immeasurable.

We can't overlook the pervasive issue of bullying among our youth. Although bullying is not always reflected in arrest reports, it can have devastating consequences on the mental health, well-being, and academic success of our children. We need to create a safe and supportive environment where every child feels valued and protected.

As a community, we have to acknowledge that there has been a lack of communication and transparency from our local government regarding these critical issues. When we tragically lost young lives to violence in our city, we needed leadership that would unite us, provide support, and offer a path forward. Instead, we were met with silence.

This silence ends now. As your mayor, I pledge to be open, transparent, and proactive in addressing juvenile crime, violence, and bullying. I will work tirelessly to implement comprehensive strategies that prioritize prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation. I will engage with parents, schools, community organizations, and law enforcement to ensure that every stakeholder has a voice in creating a safer Lewisville for our youth.

Before I discuss my proposed initiatives to tackle these issues head-on, I want to invite you to join me in this crucial conversation and to be part of the solution. Together, we can build a Lewisville where every child has the opportunity to thrive, free from the threat of crime, violence, and bullying. I want to hear your thoughts and ideas about this important topic.

What can we do about this serious problem? Here's where I want to start. As your mayor, I will work tirelessly to implement the following initiatives:

1. Mentoring Program

- Partner with local organizations, businesses, and schools to create a mentoring program that pairs at-risk youth with positive role models. - Mentors will provide guidance, support, and encouragement to help youth make better life choices and avoid criminal behavior. Some programs like this already exist, but after getting feedback from individuals who are involved, it's clear that they need to be reevaluated and reworked. We have to do better.

2. After-School Programs at Thrive Community Center

- Explore opportunities to add after-school programs at Thrive, the Lewisville Community Center. - These programs will provide youth with safe, structured environments to learn, grow, and socialize, helping to keep them engaged and out of trouble.

3. Anti-Bullying Ordinances

- Create anti-bullying ordinances that provide law enforcement, judges, and prosecutors with additional tools to help get offenders into programs. - These ordinances will send a clear message that bullying will not be tolerated in Lewisville and ensure that offenders receive the help they need to change their behavior. Due to state law, we're unable to get involved with bullying incidents that takes place at school. The school district handles those incidents. But we can get involved when bullying takes place in Lewisville, on the way home from school, or online.

4. Youth Entrepreneurship Program

- Develop a program that teaches youth business skills and provides them with opportunities to start their own small businesses. - This initiative will help foster a sense of purpose, build self-esteem, and provide a positive alternative to criminal behavior.

5. Partnership with Local Businesses for Youth Employment

- Collaborate with businesses in Lewisville to create job opportunities for youth as young as 14, the legal working age in Texas. - Providing legitimate employment can help keep youth engaged, teach valuable skills, and reduce the likelihood of criminal behavior.

6. Special Town Hall Meetings

- Host a series of town hall meetings specifically for parents and children to discuss youth-related concerns. - These meetings will provide a platform for open dialogue, allowing the community to share their experiences, ideas, and solutions.

7. Transparency and Open Communication

- As mayor, I will be upfront, honest, and transparent with citizens about juvenile crime, violence, and bullying. - Regular updates on the city's efforts and progress in tackling these issues will be provided to foster trust, collaboration, and accountability.

These initiatives, combined with the unwavering commitment of our community, will help create a safer, more supportive environment for Lewisville's youth. By focusing on prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation, we can empower our young people to make positive choices and thrive. I invite all residents to join me in this critical effort. Together, we can build a brighter future for Lewisville, one where every child has the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential. Let's work hand in hand to make Lewisville a model city for youth safety, support, and success. The time for action is now.

I will explore the possibility of creating a Lewisville Police Reserve Force. These are trained, volunteer officers who serve beside regular officers. This would have several benefits. It would allow us to immediately have more officers on patrol. It would also make the process of hiring full time officers much easier, when positions open up. Instead of making a new hire and having to wait for them to go through police academy and field training, we could hire from our reserve force. As Mayor, I'll invite the supervisors of the reserve forces in cities like Frisco and Richardson to discuss their programs before the city council. (Learn More)

Security Footage Network
One of the most helpful resources for the police are the security cameras that some citizens have installed at their houses. If a crime is committed in or outside a house, the police can often obtain vital evidence by looking at the footage captured on cameras in the neighborhood. As Mayor, I will launch a campaign to encourage citizens to install cameras at their homes. I'll have a site setup that lists all the retailers and installation companies in Lewisville, and that has information about some of the more popular cameras. Households that have cameras will be encouraged to display a Keep Lewisville Safe yard sign. When neighborhoods have at least 75% video coverage, I’d like to put up a Keep Lewisville Safe street sign. I want Lewisville to be known for our video footage network. When thieves and criminals are targeting their next victim, they’re more likely to choose an area that isn’t flooded with cameras. If they do commit a crime in Lewisville, the police will be able to look at multiple camera angles as they investigate the crime.
I want the Keep Lewisville Safe program to focus on all aspects of personal safety. I will work with businesses like Eagle Gun Range and Top Dog Virtual Gun Range to create Keep Lewisville Safe gun safety training nights. I'll speak with Lewisville martial arts and self defense schools to get them on board. I'll bring in experts to speak at Town Hall meetings about some of the dangers that we face in this region, such as human trafficking, and get them to provide us with safety tips.