Jun 9, 2008 10:58 pm US/Central
Cops Giving Surprise Visits To Young Gun Offenders
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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There are about 110 children currently being tracked in the gun offender program.
CBS
Curbing gun violence involving young people is the focus of Hennepin County juvenile probation officers. Working with sheriff's deputies, the officers keep tabs on about 110 gun offenders by making random home visits.
WCCO reporter Caroline Lowe and photographer Dave Chaney went along with a team of deputies and a probation officer as they made nighttime stops in Minneapolis and Richfield.
Juvenile probation officer Michael Desmarais had one mission that night: check up on children caught with guns, hoping to keep them out of more serious trouble as they head into summer.
"We want to hold the kids accountable. We also want to get the parents' support," said Desmarais.
Backed by the Hennepin County deputies, the probation officer hit the streets right after most families would have eaten dinner. He made random stops at the homes of teenage gun offenders.
One surprise stop was at an apartment building in Richfield where 16-year-old Royce lives. Royce told Lowe and Chaney he was charged with possessing a .38 Ruger.
"I was in Brooklyn Park with some friends. And I was walking with it. I don't know what I was going to do with it," said Royce. "I'm glad they caught me before I did something stupid, something crazy."
"You think if you had run into somebody you're mad at you might have done something with it?" asked Lowe.
"More protecting myself and my friends," answered Royce. He said some of his friends have been killed.
He wears a tattoo on his arm that says "R.I.P." which is a chilling reminder of the deadly combination when mix teens and guns.
Royce's mother welcomes the surprise visits from the probation officer and sheriff deputies. She didn't want to be identified by name, but did offer to share her fears.
"It is about time. Mothers are tired of these kids acting up," she said.
"What is your biggest fear as a mom about your son?" asked Lowe.
"That one day I might get that phone call that he either shot somebody or he has been shot," answered Royce's mother.
Desmerais and the deputies were pleased to hear Royce is doing well in school, and has even made the honor roll.
"If the kid is doing really well, then visits tend to go very well," said Desmerais.
The deputies come along because they never know what they might find when they visit homes where children have been in trouble before for having guns.
"Sometimes they need a little authority figure," said Hennepin Deputy Jeff Bieble. He also pointed out that there have been a few cases when weapons have been found underneath teens' beds.
Royce's mother said it felt good for one night to not live in fear and to have some support.
"It gives me a little hope, that maybe, hey, he will turn his life around," she said.
There are about 110 children currently being tracked in the gun offender program. There is a lot more to the program than home visits. For more information visit the links on the right side of the page.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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