Record teen unemployment coupled with schools closed for the summer has local authorties concerned.
‘It’s a crime cycle we go through during the summer. Other communities where many people live in close proximity often have problems too,? said Sgt. Tim McIsaac, Oakland County Sheriff Department, Brandon Substation.
Such an increase in crimes at the Sashabaw Manufactured Homes commuity this summer has prompted the sheriff department to enforce a curfew for children up to age 16. One period in June more than 23 larcenies and home evasions were reported. Although the number of crimes in the southeast Brandon Township Area has leveled off, during the first week of July officers filed nine reports.
McIsaac, who has served as a D.A.R.E. officier and works with youth in schools says that a combination high teen unemployment and working parents often fuels an increase in crime.
‘This summer has been very tough on teens. Crimes can often be related to drug use.?
Yet, while an increase in crimes may be related to area drug use, no additional drug problems have occured.
‘There is no virgin drug area in the county,? said Joe Quisenberry, Detective Lt. Commander of the Oakland County Narcotics Enforcement Team, a task force comprised of law officers that focus on undercover drug investigations.
‘Drugs in Northern Oakland are less of a problem than other areas in the county, however, the further you go south and the population becomes more dense the problems increases.?
Quisenberry, a 28 year veteran of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department who grew up in the Brandon Township area, says that the community is no different than others with marijuana and cocaine the most popular. Heroin and Estacy are used too, but not as frequent.
‘Our focus is on street level dealers and up to middle level distribution, with special attention on the flow of narcotics and the method of delivery.?
Quisenberry says that inactivity which includes lack of work among any group, especially teens, is a key issue for crime prevention.
Locally, Nancy Elfes a prevention case worker at the Brandon Youth Coalition that offers free short-term family counseling says that drugs are not the biggest reason for teens to be referred to her.
‘The greatest number of referrals comes from the police and parents,? said Elfes, who works with youth age 5 to 15.
‘A lot of shoplifting, malicious destruction of property are pretty common, but right now it’s families that need help financially for their children’s activites, such as baseball or soccer.?
Elfes added that men are needed to volunteer for the Mentors Plus program are badly needed for a few nights each month. Also, donations to send kids to camp and help pay for sports are also needed.
For those interested in helping call (248) 627-6445.