COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — School is just barely out for summer in most Central Ohio districts. Already, Columbus Police are seeing juveniles involved in crime.

Overnight Thursday, police said a 17-year-old was arrested in connection to more than 20 car break-ins near the university district. This happened just before 1 a.m. on W. 8th Ave. and surrounding streets.

People have been coming outside all day to see the damage, broken glass and shattered windows. When they heard teenagers were involved, they said they’re even more disgusted.

“It’s just scary to think because, like, this person could be in school,” said Alyssa Graves, a University District resident.

This is just the most recent crime in the city involving juveniles. Saturday afternoon, police say five juveniles were taken into custody in the Old North after crashing a stolen Kia into a police cruiser. Saturday night, two teenagers were arrested and charged with felonious assault after shots were fired at Easton Town Center. 

Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said the city is making record investments in youth summer programming to keep these kids occupied. They said crime is down overall in the city including the city’s homicide rate.  The chief said they are also being extra strategic about where officers are.

“We are very focused on the areas that we know that things are that could possibly occur. We trying to be preventive in these measures. We’re working with the court system to ensure that, you know, we are doing the best that we can with our juveniles,” Bryant said.

Mayor Ginther emphasized that they need the support of parents to know where their children are and what they are doing.

“We need parents to know where their children are, who they’re hanging out with, monitor their social media and, you know, and work with us to make sure their kids are safe this summer,” Ginther said.

NBC4 asked if there is a way for the city to hold parents accountable for looking after their kids.

“It’s something we have to work closely with the courts on, particularly for juveniles. There are things that the juvenile judges can do to engage and hold parents and kids accountable. That’s something we continue to work on within the chief,” Ginther said.

Columbus has made a nearly $21 million investment into summer youth programming.