NATCHEZ — Ten robberies committed by teens and young adults in Natchez in just more than a month have city and law enforcement officials looking to reach out to young people and curb crime.

The streak of robberies began on Dec. 16, and the ages of suspects charged so far in some of the robberies range from 14 to 25. Four robberies occurred last week, with one each day starting on Jan. 14 and continuing through Tuesday.

Sixteen-year-old Kalcey Watson, 118 Brookfield Road, was charged with two counts of armed robbery Thursday as one of two suspects who reportedly robbed two teenagers who were sitting in a car at the Tracetown shopping center Tuesday. His bond is set at $170,000.

Natchez investigator Juan McDonald said Watson was identified by one of the victims because they attend the same school.

Watson is one of eight teenagers charged so far in the recent robberies.

Ladarrius D. Lowe, 15, Jedarium T. Harris, 15, and Barney Hawkins Jr., 14, were charged as adults in connection with the armed robberies of a man at Carpenter School Apartments on Dec. 16 and a Grand Soleil Hotel front desk clerk on Dec. 17.

Richard T. Norman, 19, was charged as one of two suspects who reportedly robbed a man they knew after he flagged them down for a ride on Dumas Drive on Dec. 16.

Police believe the robbery victim reportedly shot and injured one of his robbers later that night. No charges have been filed in the shooting.

Larry Thomas, 19, 16 Oscar St., was charged in connection with a second robbery at the Grand Soleil Hotel on Jan. 9.

Jamauri McNealy, 16, 305-A Watts Ave., and Derrick Green, 17, 5 Garden St., reportedly robbed a man on the front porch of the man’s acquaintance’s house on Bishop Street on Jan. 8.

Natchez Ward 2 Alderman James “Ricky” Gray, who serves as chair of the police and fire committee, said the city’s children need better influences from older residents. He said parents also need to monitor with whom their children are hanging out.

“I’m not saying all these kids are hanging out with people that (commit crimes), but nine times out of 10 when you find kids resulting to robbing and stealing, it’s because they’re hanging out with someone doing it or heard their friends talking about someone doing it,” Gray said.

Natchez Interim Police Chief Danny White and Gray both said drugs are a big factor in the recent spike in crime.

Natchez investigator Jerry Ford has worked several of the recent robberies involving teenagers, several of whom he said have admitted to having drug problems.

White said in addition to getting to know their child’s friends, parents should keep in mind the city’s curfew of 10 p.m. through the week and midnight on weekends.

“You should know where your child is at all times,” he said.

Victims and suspects in several of the robberies also were acquaintances or knew of each other before the robbery.

Gray said people should be careful of who they trust and let into their homes and who they let see their valuables.

White said people should also not flash money or valuables in public as a temptation to robbers. He said tough economic times also cause people to do things they normally would not do and resort to crime.

White and Gray said they are currently working together to build up neighborhood watches in high crime areas, such as Holiday Apartments.

“When you have robberies and crime happening all over town, people are going to have to be the eyes and ears for each other,” he said. “Citizens solve crime.”

Gray said he would also like to get permission from both public and private local schools for police officers to periodically have lunch with students, especially the younger students.

Officers regularly visit schools, White said, to talk to principals and teachers and make their presence known. White said he also wants to get into the community and talk to parents about the youth crime problem and hopes residents will talk to police more freely about what they know about crimes.

Ford said people should know that police will do whatever they can to protect people who report a crime, and he said people should also remember they can call anonymously. Several of the robberies happened in or outside local businesses. White said he has instructed his officers to stop inside businesses and hotels to check in with employees and owners about suspicious activity.

White said stiffer bonds set by judges have kept all of the suspects charged so far in the robberies in jail.

“Hopefully people will get the message,” he said. “We’re just not going to tolerate it.”