Police Make Arrests in Greenville Vandalism Incidents

Greenville Police made seven arrests in the Camellia Pavilion and Library vandalism case. The library and Pavilion were spray painted with anti-police graffiti and symbols that were later connected to be anti-police. After investigating, Greenville Police were able to connect those same vandals to a break in at Greenville Middle School that happened the same night.

In total, seven juveniles between the ages of 12 and 14 were arrested and are facing charges of criminal mischief and burglary. Butler County Chief Probation Officer Terry Lewis sees a slight increase in juvenile crime numbers when the summer starts.

“If a kid doesn’t have anything to do they get bored,” Lewis says. “If they get bored, they will find something to do. Usually, it’s not good.”

Lewis has worked with the Butler County Juvenile Court System for decades and has seen more cases come across his desk than he can remember. His best way to deal with the crime he sees is to try and hear about it before it happens.

“If you are out there, and you are active in the community, you see what’s going on,” he says. “And you’re able to head it off before it ever gets started.”

This case was a little different, because Lewis wasn’t able to stop the crime before it started.

“Juvenile probation is about prevention, not acting after the fact.”

Along with the seven arrests made in connection to the vandalism, Greenville Chief Investigator Lovvorn was also able to make two other juvenile arrests in relation to a home break in that happened in December of 2015. He says it might seem like summer months bring in more crime, especially among younger people, but Greenville numbers are pretty much right on track.

“There is a slight increase when the summer starts of juvenile crime, but the average for the year is pretty much the same as it has been,” Lovvorn says.

Lewis and Lovvorn both say younger people usually won’t get into any trouble on their own. When they start hanging out with large groups or are in places they shouldn’t be, is when the trouble starts.

Lewis advises the best way to keep your kids out of trouble is to make sure you know who they’re hanging out with and where they’re going. And if you see a group of kids where they aren’t supposed to be, doing something they shouldn’t be doing, he says it’s okay to say something to them if you think it will keep them out of trouble.

“Just say, ‘What are ya’ll up to? Don’t get in no trouble, now. Ya’ll need to move on,'” he says.