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Arrested boys' parents should simmer down

Re: Teen interrogation not a textbook case, June 21 Times:

The parents of these alleged vandals are not doing their kids any favors by making a big stink over their lawful and just arrest.

These kids admittedly committed a crime, and that shows character that they stepped up and didn't lie about what they had done. Now they must accept their punishment.

As for this so-called controversy, the article made it clear that under Florida law, officers do not have to notify parents until their children are taken into custody. Law enforcement has the right to interrogate kids without their parents present. The deputy could have just as easily waited till school was out and picked up the kids on their way home, and there would not have been a "controversy."

But, no, the parents aren't satisfied. If they were with their kids during the interrogation, their kids could have got off the hook. Ms. Thompson says kids are supposed to be protected at school. I don't think they should be protected from their own crimes. If her kid broke the law and trashed someone's property, he should just fess up and not try to get out of it. She should be happy that her son wasn't a liar, as well.

And what's the principal talking about? That's pretty arrogant to say that law enforcement has to follow the rules of the all-mighty School District. It's the School District that should be following the laws of our state and give up on insulating criminals from their crimes.

The best thing these parents could do now is give up on their ACLU complaint and be glad their kids did something relatively minor compared to other crimes. And they shouldn't allow any more photo ops of their little vandals. Seeing those kids' picture certainly did not make me feel pity for them, or make me believe they were some kind of victim.

Suzanne O'Reilly, Brooksville

Parents of arrested teenagers are teaching kids wrong lessons

Re: Teen interrogation not a textbook case, June 21 Times:

When I read this article, it highlighted exactly what is wrong in American culture and parenting.

Here we have teenagers with zero respect for property, causing hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage for no apparent reason other than malicious intent.

Today's underage kids have already realized they are fairly immune from most of their actions including verbal abuse to their elders. They know that even with the slightest physical contact they can threaten and probably obtain assault charges.

So, along come the parents and instead of taking control of their wayward children, what do they do? Go straight to the ACLU! Next best bet, lawyers line up to encourage the parents to sue the school and the police. The gleam of possible gold will outweigh any parental responsibility

What are we teaching our kids? These kids are already out of control; seeing their parents don't care about their vandalism only leads them further astray.

I say charge the parents the cost of repairs, throw out any parental legal action and teach our kids there are repercussions to errant behavior.

If my dad would have had to come to my school for a similar problem, I would not have been happy with the consequences.

Bob Jillings, Brooksville

[Last modified June 22, 2006, 22:38:14]