CHANDLER, Ariz. — This week, the Chandler Police Department is working to enforce and educate about two new ordinances that went into effect in the city on Monday. The two new laws in effect have to do with unruly gatherings and brass knuckles.
The moves are to cut down on recent teen violence in the East Valley. The unruly gatherings ordinance allows police to disperse those types of get-togethers and either cite or charge people responsible.
The brass knuckles ordinance prohibits anyone under 18 from buying or possessing them. Businesses have to confirm the person buying them is at least 18 years old.
Chandler officials said they're in the educational phase of the ordinances. Informative videos will be seen around the city and on social media. The media explains the ordinances and the consequences of violating them. The messaging is in English, Spanish and Mandarin. Chandler Police Department Sergeant Ricky Gonzales, said new laws and tools like these are important to keep their community safe, especially with the recent increase in teen violence.
“We want to take a proactive approach and do the best we can moving forward to prevent any types of incidents like that, that can happen," Gonzales said. "We can’t control the actions of other people, but what we can do is put policies and procedures in place, laws or ordinances that make it difficult for people to violate them and have those incidents happen.”
Violators of both ordinances can be charged with a class one misdemeanor. Chandler officials said it’s the most serious offense that can be prosecuted by the city. A person guilty of one can face up to a $2,500 fine, up to six months in jail and three years of probation.
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