To the Gilbert Town Council and Mayor Scott Anderson,

We, the undersigned residents of Gilbert, Arizona and concerned citizens hereby submit this petition to demand the immediate removal of Police Chief Michael Soelberg from his position. This call for action is based on his evident failure to adequately protect our community from the violent activities perpetrated by the group known as the "Gilbert Goons."

Reasons for Removal:

1. **Negligence in Addressing Youth Violence:** - Chief Soelberg has been criticized for the delayed response in addressing the violent incidents involving the Gilbert Goons. Despite numerous attacks on teenagers since 2022, proactive measures were not taken until after the tragic death of 16-year-old Preston Lord in October, highlighting a significant lapse in community safety management. (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tWi23bXPZxo&pp=ygUYQVogY2VudHJhbCBnaWxiZXJ0IGdvb25z)(https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q9oYwTuC_6A&pp=ygUYQVogY2VudHJhbCBnaWxiZXJ0IGdvb25)(https://www.azcentral.com/videos/news/local/gilbert/2024/12/16/preston-lord-gilbert-police-michael-soelberg-teen-violence/75846198007/)(https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/editorial/2024/03/06/gilbert-goons-response-fire-police-chief-michael-soelberg/72849369007/) 
2. **Loss of Community Trust:** - The mishandling of the Goons' cases has led to a severe erosion of trust between the Gilbert Police Department and the community. Chief Soelberg's actions have been seen as reactive rather than preventive, causing fear and disillusionment among residents.(https://x.com/robertanglen/status/1868714514277163250?s=46)  (https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/gilbert/2024/12/16/gilbert-police-scrutinized-response-teen-attacks/75677484007/?itm_campaign=confirmation&itm_content=news&itm_medium=onsite&itm_source=onsite) (https://x.com/azcentral/status/1766182616804237677)
3. **Inadequate Investigation and Response:** - There have been claims that the police department under Chief Soelberg's leadership failed to connect the dots between various attacks, only reactivating investigations post-public outcry or media exposure. This has led to doubts regarding the department's capability to address and prevent such gang activities effectively. (https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/editorial/2024/12/22/gilbert-goons-teen-violence-moms-arizonan-year/77052997007/)(https://www.azfamily.com/2024/01/18/gilbert-police-chief-expected-address-ongoing-teen-violence-investigations/)
4. **Community and Public Demands:** - Public demand for accountability has been clear, with letters, social media posts, and community meetings reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the police chief's strategies and outcomes regarding youth violence. The community has explicitly called for his resignation or removal.[](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/gilbert/2024/02/20/residents-demand-gilbert-police-chief-resign-amid-goons-controversy/72345690007/)(https://www.reddit.com/r/GilbertAccountability/comments/1b8b7jc/gilbert_must_fire_its_police_chief_over_gilbert/)

We Seek Immediate Removal:

We urge the Gilbert Town Council to act swiftly in removing Chief Michael Soelberg from his position to restore faith in our local law enforcement.  We request a thorough, independent investigation into the handling of cases related to the Gilbert Goons to ensure accountability and improve future responses. We call for the appointment of a new police chief who will prioritize community safety, transparency, and proactive policing strategies.

Conclusion:

We trust that the Gilbert Town Council will consider this petition with the urgency and gravity it deserves, acting in the best interest of all community members. The safety and trust of the residents of Gilbert are paramount. The current leadership has shown an inability to meet these standards, particularly in the face of escalating youth violence. We believe that with new leadership, we can rebuild the necessary trust and ensure the safety of all citizens, especially our youth.