LHS What Is Going On.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Fact:

the Lakewood Observer is a citizen based tabloid that allows the use of unvetted sources to create news where there is none.

Ryan Demro lost, Jim - get over it. He's certainly way over you.

You bet on the wrong horse.

Suzanne?

He certainly didn't seem over it last night, in the hallway.

All I have ever bet on was the city of Lakewood, James Hunt to win the world championsip in 1977, and backgammon.

It did seem good enough for your campaign and projects when needed.

Threats, guns, assualts not as bad as a red motorcycle?

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PS - Lost the Hunt bet.

[Suzanne Metelko]

Threats, guns, assualts not as bad as a red motorcycle?

You really should try and focus:
In the past several weeks my small section of Arthur has experienced the following: 2 garage breakins (not door left open - breakin); two BACKYARD car breakins (when one owner called LPD to make a report they were told "why bother?"); a young man from Harding pulled a knife on a group of kids playing after school - when LPD was called it took them between 15-20 minutes (I wasn't there, but I was told by the parents who called) to arrive and even then they didn't immediately look for the knife wielding youth (40 minutes to discuss why he might have pulled the knife) and the icing on the cake was the home invasion by two men at 5:30 a.m. in the morning at the house across the street. A young single woman, getting ready for work has two men break in (not door left open) to the back of her house, steal her ID, her money, her keys and drive off in her car. Didn't read about that in the LO or see it reflected in the crime statistics. And yet there were several LPD cars at the scene. Guess you missed that on the scanner - must have been peacefully sleeping because there is no crime where you live.

I've said all summer - for those of you who live in Bratenahl life may be just fine, for those of us in East Cleveland it's not so good. I'm glad the elite of Lakewood can afford to bury their collective heads in the sand but I have a street full of young couples who paid top dollar for their homes and aren't happy with their neighhboorhood.

Bob and I have lived on Arthur for 30 years. We've owned three houses on this street and my parents live across the street from us. You might say we're invested in this neighborhood. As for walking my neighborhood, not after dark, not anymore. And my neighbors would tell you the same. We've got a block watch organizing as I speak, but my opinion of block watches is the same as my opinion of ballot initiatives and referendums. When citizens resort to either it is a clear indication of a government that is failing its citizens.

The red crotch rocket - it took them all summer but the LPD finally got their man. 3 months to catch one bike that arrived m-f at the same time.

As for Rick - he can speak for himself but I have friends who also live on Rick's block and as soon as they can move they will. It's not good.

I sit in meetings with community members and in community institutions who get what's happening and are ammending their budgets to reflect the increased problems with security. Reality is a new budget item.

And while I'm on a roll let me say that I'm tired of crime victims being told that it's their fault. What a boatload of ......

I appreciate that you feel safe walking Lakewood at all hours, but when you think about it who in their right mind is going to approach a man of your size out walking the streets of Lakewood at the wee hours? No offense but you are more likely to be mistaken for a perpatrator than a potential victim.

[Gary Rice]

My heart, and condolences go out the student's family, for the unfortunate loss of a young and promising life.

As far as people getting together for a better understanding goes, I had the pleasure of playing the banjo at several of those community potlucks, held down at the Womens' Pavilion. It was wonderful, seeing so many different cultural and religious groups sharing an afternoon together. Hopefully that can happen again one day.

As a retired teacher, I want to assure people that contingency plans are indeed, in place, in every school district that I am aware of- for handling situations that arise involving crisis-oriented activities on multiple levels.

We must be aware as well, that students are supposed to be learning, not only the "three "R's", but how our society as a whole functions. It would be arguably safer to turn America, or Lakewood, or a school, into a police state; but is that what we truly want?

There are some risks inherent in the democratic framework. The difficult thing is always to balance the rights of American citizenship with the responsibility of protecting people from danger.

Schools are not prisons. They are institutions of learning; providing opportunities for successful development, both personal and interpersonal.

As these experiences occur, I am sure that there will be ongoing assessment and review of security matters.

As far as notification and specific info is concerned, there are confidentiality issues with juveniles, and so necessarily there will be limited public access to all the facts.

It sounds as if the day was handled fairly well by the authorities.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Threats, guns, assualts not as bad as a red motorcycle?

I appreciate that you feel safe walking Lakewood at all hours, but when you think about it who in their right mind is going to approach a man of your size out walking the streets of Lakewood at the wee hours? No offense but you are more likely to be mistaken for a perpatrator than a potential victim.

And who is walking streets?

And who helped launch the ideas of a police levy?

And who helped start the Emerald Canyon Safety Walkers four years ago?

And who has made items available for anyone with a block watch?

And who has been collecting cell phones for these groups?

And who has been at more crime scenes this year than you, or most other people outside of police?

And who is working with SWAT?

Didn't read it in the LO!!!!

All you had to do was post it or send it in! Post it, whatever.

We have had more TRUTH on local crime than any other source.

PLEASE!

Talk about unvetted rumors.

I merely chose not to go on TV and county wide with scare tactics. It would be nice to try to save our property values. Or are you and the crew trying to turn Lakewood into East Cleveland?
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[Justine Cooper]

Suzanne, while I 100% agree with the crimes going on and needing something to change, I do hope you weren't referring to me in "tabloid" writing. Tabloid writing is done for profit and profit only and is written as if it is truth, when in fact, it usually is not. Anything I posted I did with the disclaimer "I am hearing this as a rumor, please verify". This board is a discussion board of opinions, pleas, rumors to be verified, etc. The hard copy is something else and I still in no way claim to be a reporter. I write Secret Shopper simply to bring attention to small business owners in Lakewood, all volunteer.

I do think we have many of the same concerns with this city, and for me, now, at the top of the list, is safety at LHS. Assuming this whole incident is over could be dangerous. There is a racial dispute here and I will worry about future days too. How can we get metal detectors in the school? How can we assure the next time something worse doesn't happen? The kid that ignited this whole dispute is racist so diffusing racism has to be addressed. I hope he is prosecuted with a hate crime for all he has ignited.

You say some of the crimes that occurred have not been reported. I also believe some crimes don't get reported and whatever happened today may or may not be reported truthfully.

[Jim O'Bryan]

You say some of the crimes that occurred have not been reported. I also believe some crimes don't get reported and whatever happened today may or may not be reported truthfully.

No, you know, crimes the LO misses, not like this one that we are no being accused of getting public on. Not like the shootings we have reported, or the other many crimes. No this one we screwed up on because we did report it! shhhhsssssshhh!

Spin, spin, spin, spin.

See the LO and members are only supposed to report some, especially before the primary, but now, we should not cover them.

It is all so tranparent.


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[dl meckes]

(I wasn't there, but I was told by the parents who called)

But that's so completely different from Jim posting what he had heard from concerned callers.

[sharon kinsella]

Suzanne -

You obviously have no clear understanding of what is going on in E. Cleveland. Arthur ave. - E. Cleveland - that's a joke.

Rocky River Dr. - Bratenahl - that's hilarious.

I'll take you over to E. Cleveland, in my big ole Jeep Cherokee (however it's old) and let you see what E. Cleveland is - how about tonight at about 10 pm. Then let's see how you think Arthur is E. Cleveland.

By the way, Jim, the last time we talked on the board about Hot Sauce Williams it was apparent that not many Lakewoodites have traversed the wide westside eastside divide to partake of some of the best ribs and mac and cheese ever. Next time you go - holler - I'll go with. Maybe we could do a little ol caravan.

[Justine Cooper]

The first thing schools cut are school counselors. I wonder why that is. Since student A hit student B months ago in the chest before this latest heart transplant and used racial slurs, does anyone know if counseling or mediation was put in then? I think so many disputes can be escalated or deescalated and while teachers and districts kill themselves to gain scores they need on standardized testing due to No Child Left Behind, how many kids "fall through the cracks" and how many end up dead in the meantime? There are many tragedies that are apparent today. What can be done to prevent more?

[Scott Meeson]

The first thing schools cut are school counselors. I wonder why that is. Since student A hit student B months ago in the chest before this latest heart transplant and used racial slurs, does anyone know if counseling or mediation was put in then? I think so many disputes can be escalated or deescalated and while teachers and districts kill themselves to gain scores they need on standardized testing due to No Child Left Behind, how many kids "fall through the cracks" and how many end up dead in the meantime? There are many tragedies that are apparent today. What can be done to prevent more?

What can be done to prevent more? BETTER AND MORE INVOLVED PARENTING!

[Justine Cooper]

given that we can't govern that in any way (and trust me i wish we could), preventative at the schools? We all know the detention centers don't hold criminals, even violent ones. Every alternative school has metal detectors because they know the potential for violence. We need them in public schools too. We need more mediation and we have to take racial slurs seriously, on all ends. We can parent our child as best we can, but we still let them go everyday into the real world and into our public schools.

[Amanda Schoen]

It's certainly sad that this event happened today, and as a LHS alum, I'm saddened to see so many events happen recently (reference to the Rabel incident) that continue to down play the credibility of my alma mater.

In light of this, though, I agree that there should be a more active dialogue about diversity at this high school. At my time at LHS, there were many student clubs that tried to promote diversity and non-violence at school. They have since I've graduated (2005), been disbanded. There was never enough interest. Now, there is more and more of a need for this type of organization in light of today's events. There are many staff members who are trying to work towards this goal, but never get enough support from the administration. I hope the higher ups today realize how much diversity and non-violence education is important in such a diverse community. I think we all agree the situation today was not handled right, but we all need to step back, reflect, and more forward to try to create an environment where all children can learn in a safe environment.

[Vince Frantz]

What can be done to prevent more? BETTER AND MORE INVOLVED PARENTING!

Thank you Scott for pointing out the obvious. Too bad the average parent thinks they are above average.

We have a stock of parents these days that are nothing but 40 something children. And we have a stock of children thrust into adult themes at earlier and earlier ages. Any childhood development initiative that doesn't address the quality of parenting is just pissing dollars away.

Yet we constantly talk about programs that will step in for parenting. Good luck out-smarting 50,000 years of evolution. Kids are wired to hear it from Mom and Dad from day one. No sociology needed. But if Mom and Dad are sufficiently distracted - kids have no choice but to "grow up" overnight. That means forming their own structures and activities around what they know. If all they know comes from other kids (be they 12 year old kids or 42 year old kids) then you get a never-ending cycle of depravity.

I skateboard weekly at the skatepark. I know many 12 - 18 year old kids and I know they are good kids. But now and then I meet some parents. Maybe only 50% of the parents I have met here in actually parent. Many of the kids I talk to can't actually explain their parents' job beyond a title or name of employer. Schools don't parent. Daycare doesn't parent. If your outsourcing your parenting - you're part of the problem.

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

you know, it always comes down to this.

Angry parents talk about how bad situations are, and always look outward at society.

My sociology teacher (and neighbor) was right. We live in a time period when it's never our fault. There's always an excuse and there's always something that kept us from doing what we really have (and need) to do.

it's never a parents fault that kids grow up to be pedophiles, mass murderers, thieves, etc. it's always society's fault. Blame it on the music, the hip-hop and marilyn mansons, blame it on the video games and the programs on TV and movies in the theater. Blame it on the kid himself who doesn't comprehend the value of life and freedom, the kid that feels caged and isolated not by fault but by nature.

Never blame it on the parents that let their children absorb all of those things when THEY feel it's harmful to their kids.

Never blame it on the parent who is so busy chasing his own dream that they do not care about the well-being and proper development of their child.

Sometimes I wonder who has to grow up in this world.

Ghandi said that we have to "be the change we wish to see in this world". In order for Lakewood to be like you want it to be, strive for it.

don't say it's someone else's job because your neighbor might have a different view on Lakewood than you do. We as citizens have to take pride and control of the city we love, and make the best of it. There are far too many positives in this city to this day.

Hell, our family could've chosen Australia, New Jersey, Salt Lake City, California or Lakewood, Ohio. We didn't drop here out of the sky and decided to park in Lakewood. I'm here for a reason, because we all wanted to be here, and I'll make the best of it.

Be proud, don't let some thugs steal that from you as well. If they do, move to another city and build a 10 foot gate around your home. (general statement)

[Jim O'Bryan]

(I wasn't there, but I was told by the parents who called)

But that's so completely different from Jim posting what he had heard from concerned callers.

DL

While I talked with concerned parents all day. Go back and look at my posts. Those FACTS did not come from parents or students for what it is worth.

Ivor

You post makes me very proud to know you, and call you friend.

Sharon

While Hot Sauce talks have cooled, possibly because of the Lakewood Crime highlighted on TV from the election day coverage, which they have asked me about. That's right a business based in East Cleveland second thinking a move to Lakewood because of the rhetoric of politicians. It is still just minutes away. "Jim, is it as bad as they say?" I asked "The news? Naw domestic and crack heads from out of the city shooting each other." "Yeah but, I saw some guys election day talking about crime out of control..." I answered, "Polictians..."

I am lucky every other Friday, Hot Sauce Williams caters an East Cleveland luncheon that brings some of the best and brightest from around the city to East Cleveland. We talk ideas, visit neighborhoods, walk through homes and meet residents. Two of the 30 members have bought homes in East Cleveland this year. Great idea. I wonder if they have tried East Cleveland Night in Mentor yet!

FWIW



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