Neighborhoodtimes: Juvenile crime does damage no smile can erase

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Juvenile crime does damage no smile can erase

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 17, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG

He's a good looking kid with a big smile. At 15, he's also a drug addict with a fondness for stealing cars. His first arrest for auto theft was last December, but his first taste of the juvenile justice system did not appear to affect him much. He was arrested again on the same charge a day later. This time, juvenile authorities kept him a few days longer.

Still, no lesson learned. On Jan. 5, 23 days later, he was arrested again, this time charged with loitering and prowling, and possession of marijuana and cocaine.

This time, the juvenile authorities kept him for the maximum 21 days. On Feb. 6 he was arrested again. He ran from a stolen Dodge Intrepid that had crashed into a tree, then broke into a house to hide from police. This time the crimes were more serious, and so were the charges: auto theft, burglary, possession of burglary tools and obstruction. He was carrying a bag of tools and admitted to a detective that they were useful in stealing cars. The detective asked him why he steals cars, and he said, "Everyone does it where I live."

We find these casesfrustrating because the kids are supposed to learn a lesson from the juvenile justice process, but they seldom do. There is no doubt the juvenile system has a difficult job identifying the kids who can still be reached.

But seven felony arrests and three misdemeanor charges in 55 days suggest the 15-year-old may already be lost to the street. And so it is time to get serious with this young man.Unfortunately, when I look at his booking photographs, he is still smiling. His grin seems to be getting bigger with each arrest, suggesting that it's all just a game to him.

William Proffitt, St. Petersburg police spokesman

[Last modified February 16, 2008, 23:46:47]

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by Ken	02/17/08 10:07 PM
Save us tax payers some money and drop his ignorant butt off in Iraq. Thats why you should need a license to breed.

by NoBodyLeftBehind	02/17/08 12:31 PM
Interest him in the Army or Marine Corps. In a couple of years he can become their rehabilitation project.

by Prison won't work either	02/17/08 11:10 AM
Angie's correct. That they KNOW he's an addict is frustrating. WHAT help has he received for that? Go here and pee here? They deserve punishment but they also need TREATMENT. It works! We KNOW this! WE fail them. But they get mad & treat like adult.

by angie	02/17/08 09:06 AM
these juvenile facilities are only holding cells. if anything, these kids learn more ways to be street smart from other kids there. they get no real counseling and because of their low self esteem, they continue with the same crimes, getting worse.

by E.C.	02/17/08 08:03 AM
Good points. The problem we see on the south side is parents who don't object to kids playing with bolt cutters and cigarette lighters. Most of these kids are just left alone to roam with no supervision. They WANT productive activities and structure.