The Observation Deck

http://www.clevescene.com/2007-07-18/ne ... -lakewood/

(Interesting: at time of posting there was a Rockport Square Leaderboard Ad at the top of the page.)

OK...

The police "visit" an apartment building 160 times in a few months. Isn't this what the nuisance law was meant to address? Isn't time to send the landlord the bill?

Rick,
Great link. I hope many will read it. I personally think the last paragraph is a little dramatic, but maybe that's my literary taste.

It seems to me the problems the city has isn't so much from this group of minors highlighted in the story, with it's "petty crimes". (Is there really such thing as a crime that's "petty" ?) but in incidences throughout the city. Thugs coming here and thugs that are already here.

Mark C.

Did anyone notice, in this article, the young man who said "I like Lakewood even though they don't like us".

Also, when the program manager started talking with the neighbors it created good will and most seem to be working together.

Talk with the neighbors - hmmmm - what a concept.

Could it be that many of the calls that were made, some were because of normal kid behaviour, i.e. bad language and loud music.

Quit calling kids thugs! Quit stereotyping minorities. Do something radical and revolutionary - talk to them.

They're trying to give these kids a better life. Teach them right from wrong. The article states there's case workers on premises 24/7 to keep them from going astray. If it's true that a neighbor states they're up all hours of the night in the parking lot swearing and drinking, what are they teaching them? They need to be taught respect for themselves, neighbors and the neighborhood. Respect and dignity go a long way in society.

sharon kinsella wrote:Did anyone notice, in this article, the young man who said "I like Lakewood even though they don't like us".

Also, when the program manager started talking with the neighbors it created good will and most seem to be working together.

Talk with the neighbors - hmmmm - what a concept.

Could it be that many of the calls that were made, some were because of normal kid behaviour, i.e. bad language and loud music.

Quit calling kids thugs! Quit stereotyping minorities. Do something radical and revolutionary - talk to them.

Sharon,

The problem lies in the fact it's loud music, drinking and swearing at all hours of the night outside the building from kids who have had the complete opposite of a normal life. My question is why doesn't the program manager have these kids inside and safe at a proper time, banning the alcohol that fuels so many problems from teenagers and adults alike?

It's great the program manager is talking to neighbors. But the leaders of the program need to take some responsibility other than saying call me if something goes wrong.

Does anyone have a link to information about the program?

Reread the article - they are taking responsibility.

No, many of them might not have had a "normal" life, I didn't have a "normal" life - what is a "normal" life - is that like the nuclear family - that mythological construct.

sharon kinsella wrote:Reread the article - they are taking responsibility.

No, many of them might not have had a "normal" life, I didn't have a "normal" life - what is a "normal" life - is that like the nuclear family - that mythological construct.

The article begins this way, "No one wants these kids. They grew up running from schizophrenic moms and sexually abusive brothers. They got pregnant too young, dropped out of high school, and found their way into juvie. They drifted from one foster home to the next, until the system deemed them adults and kicked them out"

In my book, and I may be wrong, that's not normal.

The next part states, "That's where Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries stepped in. Sixteen years ago, the charity started a program to help teens, ages 16 to 21, learn to live on their own. They get apartments, counseling, bus passes, food vouchers, and help finding jobs and earning diplomas -- everything they need to start a life that doesn't include an orange jumpsuit. Case managers are on hand 24/7 to make sure they don't go astray."

That's fantastic, don't get me wrong. My "responsiblity" point is the above mentioned things they're providing is worth nothing without teaching structure. They're probably need a little more rigid structure than most. Teaching manners, respect for themselves and the law, knowing the proper time to go to bed to keep their job, etc. And it needs to be hands on 24/7. They're used to doing anything they can to survive. They need to learn life doesn't have to be so chaotic, including getting hounded by the neighbors and police. Simple things, that may not be obvious to them, can be done to achieve this.

I agree they need more structure. You are absolutely right.

But there are plenty of people with the same issues that managed to escape. These kids just need a little more help.

And Dave, I hate to tell you, but those issues are a lot more prevalent than many people know. It' just only talked about behind closed doors. It's a shame.

sharon kinsella wrote:Could it be that many of the calls that were made, some were because of normal kid behaviour, i.e. bad language and loud music.

Women really are from Venus.

Suppose on each of these 160 occasions when the neighbors finally had enough and called the police that they:

Got in their cars and drove to the Landlords home at three AM and marched around his house screaming: Wake up you #!!3#3#3#!! It's 3AM do you know what your #####tenants are up too?"

How many times would the neighbors have to make that visit before the Landlord called the police?

How do you think he would feel if when the police arrived the landlord was told that this was just normal behavior?

What do you suppose he would think if the political leadership told him that that conduct wasn't a nuisance under the local nuisance law?

Since so many on here have some great ideas how to fix these darn kids, I detect a possible volunteer surge at the home? You know, to teach them all this good stuff?

I applaud (as did the neighbors) the guy who took the time to hand out info to them and how to get a hold of him if there were problems. Nicely done. Good first step to building long-lasting relations into the community. Let's get him an account on the LO so he can contribute to this conversation, too!

I would think people would be piling on to support such a program, especially after all the guff about CMHA and their "permanent" benefit of "free" rent. This is a program targeting teens at 16 up to the ripe old age of 21. It has a beginning and ending with the hope of increased self-reliance and new skills. None of this "entitement" attitude or anything.

The article is a pretty hopeful one in that it shows a problem, it shows some attempts to remedy from all parties...including the threat to kick them out if they don't straighten up the act. Not the most supportive attitude on the part of the mayor but still, it is part of giving expectations and desired outcomes. It shows supportive neighbors to counter the usual "the world is going to hell" neighbors. It shows reaching out from the center's leadership directly into the effected community.

What is not to like? The fact that it hasn't found a cure for unruly teens, yet? Because if they do, they need to bottle it, patent it and sell it for profit. (yes, this is a cue for "how we did it when I was a kid" quotes).

Hey, LO editors and the like. Has anyone expressed an interest in doing a more LO-centered story about this home? If no one has, I would love to talk to this agency and their people and some of the kids. This scene story was a good "tip of the iceberg" story but I bet there is a lot more to read about.

Phil

Bill call said.[quote]Women really are from Venus.

This insult was made immediately after the response I gave about the number and reason for the 160 police calls.

How dare you![/quote]

sharon kinsella wrote:Bill call said.

Women really are from Venus.

This insult was made immediately after the response I gave about the number and reason for the 160 police calls.

How dare you!

I guess some women are from Mars.

There is something really wrong with you if you cannot conduct civil discourse without resorting to juvenile remarks. Grow up!