The Hinesville Police Department is actively tackling a rising problem of minors unlawfully possessing firearms.

According to Chief of Police Tracey Howard, officers frequently discover that these firearms in minors’ possession have been stolen, typically from unlocked vehicles. He mentioned that these weapons are mostly used to threaten community members or damage property.

Howard noted that although police are working to charge minors involves, the judicial process complicated long-term consequences.

“Many factors influence the duration of a juvenile’s detention,” Howard explained. “There’s a brief period during which a juvenile must be brought before a court to decide if they should stay in custody or be let go.”

Chief Howard also expressed that the same individuals are being detained, often noticing that the crimes escalate upon their release.

And a lot of times we’re saying that we’re arresting the same people or that the crimes are escalating upon the release of these individuals. So, you know, currently, you know, we’re working with the district attorney’s office related judicial circuit and trying to ensure that we’re doing everything that we can

Officials are urging residents to securely store their firearms and avoid placing them in glass cases, which could make them visible and accessible to potential thieves.