Mitchell Urges Public: “Report, Don’t Repost” Violence Incidents

By Daniel Stefanski |

Maricopa County’s top prosecutor, Rachel Mitchell, is taking a firm stand against rising teen violence in the region. Recently, she announced the launch of the campaign, ‘Report, Don’t Repost.’ The initiative aims to address a troubling trend where violent incidents are shared on social media instead of reported to law enforcement.

During a press conference for the campaign, Mitchell revealed stark statistics indicating a surge in juvenile crime. In 2023, first-degree murder cases involving juveniles climbed by an astounding 350%, jumping from six cases in 2022 to 27 this year. Aggravated assault cases also increased significantly, rising from 12 to 25—marking a 108% jump. Overall, the total number of referrals for juveniles charged as adults rose by 32% in the same time frame.

Mitchell emphasized the challenges posed by social media, stating, “When a video shows up online, all we know is what we can see. We may lack names and context surrounding the incident, making it difficult for investigators and prosecutors.” She urged the community to prioritize reporting violent incidents, asserting that this would help build stronger cases.

The campaign has garnered support from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Phoenix Police and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Other departments participating include those from Apache Junction, Arizona State University, and several surrounding municipalities.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office even shared a graphic promoting the campaign, underscoring the pressing nature of the issue. Additionally, officers from the Phoenix Police Department addressed the importance of the initiative during interviews following the announcement.

The campaign aims to provide educational resources aimed at parents, educators, and teens, detailing the serious repercussions of sharing violent content online.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.