Residents press council on juvenile violence and barn arson; Gilbert police say investigation ongoing and constrained by privacy laws

Several residents used the public‑comment period at the June 24 council meeting to urge town leaders and police for greater transparency and action after a string of violent incidents involving juveniles, including a July 3, 2024 barn arson.

Jenny Jones, the barn owner’s relative, and Bridget Vega, a community advocate, described threats, intimidation and criminal acts they tied to a group of juveniles. Jones said her family had been the target of a premeditated fire that destroyed a barn and described frustration with perceived delays and limited information from the police about whether her daughter had been the intended target. Vega cited a longer pattern of alleged assaults, sextortion (alleged AI‑generated nude images), trespass and other crimes she said appeared in a published police report and in social‑media posts.

Gilbert Police Chief Mike Solberg responded at council’s request that the department arrested two juveniles on arson and endangerment charges on the night of the fire and that the agency had pursued arrests where probable cause existed. He said the department is “unwavering in its commitment to justice” and is constrained by state and federal laws that require redaction of certain information in records involving juveniles; those statutory protections, he said, are meant to preserve juvenile confidentiality, protect investigative integrity and ensure fair judicial process.

Chief Solberg said the police department has communicated with victims and encouraged them to consult attorneys for legal guidance about records and redactions. He said the department would continue providing legally permissible information to victims and the public and that officers had worked arresting suspects in related incidents; he asked anyone with relevant, credible information to contact detectives.

Speakers told council about threats and social‑media posts, and asked councilors to seek fuller disclosure; council members and the chief reminded the public that law and juvenile confidentiality restrict what can be released, while urging victims to pursue legal counsel and maintain communication with investigators.

The council took no formal action; Chief Solberg pledged continued outreach to victims and to provide public updates within legal constraints.