SAN JUAN COUNTY, N.M. —
The scourge of juvenile crime is widespread in New Mexico.
The biggest city in San Juan County is Farmington, with a population of just under 50,000, and the county sheriff's office says there has been a rise in violent crime committed by juveniles related to carjackings, aggravated assaults with firearms, and property damage.
San Juan County Sheriff R. Shane Ferrari said that parents need to keep a closer eye on their kids, but they are at a disadvantage.
"We're investigating more violent crimes, more serious crimes that these kids are involved in," Ferrari said. "The kids tell their parents they can't be disciplined anymore, and the law's not going to do anything because they're juvenile. That is wrong."
Without a change in the children's code being made by t