tornado thoughts

Police wants teens to be home by 11pm

Feb 16, 2006

Police act to keep teens off streets after 11 pm
Parents to be told if their kids are caught loitering; move aims to cut
crime

By Ben Nadarajan and Sonia Tan

POLICE are seeking the help of parents in keeping teenagers below 17 off
the streets at night - and out of trouble.
If they catch teens loitering in public places after 11pm, they will notify
the parents, telling them what their child has been up to.
It is not meant to get the teens into trouble, but to ensure that they do
not become easy prey for crooks out to steal or rob someone.
Keeping teenagers at home also means they will not be provoked into
committing crimes themselves, by their friends or other teenagers.
The police have taken this controversial measure as more youths are turning
to crime, as well as becoming victims.

They logged 36,704 offences last year, up 20 per cent from the year before
and the highest since 1998.Youths - those aged below 19 - made up 22 per cent of
the total number of arrests, although they comprise just 15 per cent of the
population.The largest increases were crimes by, or against, youths.For example,
136 teenagers had their belongings snatched last year, a jump of 68 per cent
from the 81 cases in 2004.The number of youths committing snatch thefts also
increased, from 58 to 77.There were 255 youths robbed last year, a 28 per cent
increase on the previous year. And the number of young robbers went up to 204
from 2004's figure of 166.Another 205 young people were arrested for rioting,
with half of the cases involving fighting with their peers.

More of these fights are taking place at void decks, lift landings, and
along the corridors of Housing Board blocks, the police said.Police officers on
patrol at night will stop teens they see loitering at void decks, shopping malls
and other public places. Their particulars will be taken and, a few days later,
a letter will reach their parents.Police director of operations Aubeck Kam said
the police wanted to help parents be aware of what their children were up
to.'Some parents may already know and be OK with their children hanging around,
but others may think their children are out studying somewhere instead,' said
Senior Assistant Commissioner Kam.

Teenagers, however, decry the measure as a 'nannying nuisance' and a
restriction of their freedom.

Brian Tan, 16, says it assumes that teenagers are unable to make choices
and accept the consequences of their actions.

Melissa Quek, 14, described the cops as 'sabo-kings' - a term youths often
use to describe those who rat on them.'By telling our parents, it makes it seem
as though staying out at night is bad. My parents would probably stop letting me
go out,' she said.

But 17-year-old George Bowen Uy III feels it is reasonable, adding that
those who gripe about the measure are probably those who are out to 'cause
trouble' anyway.Parents are in favour of the move, although Dr Pauline Cheong, a
mother of four, thinks it 'a shame' that the police are involved in something
that should be the parents' job.

Says SAC Kam: 'It would be a shame if our officers came across a youth two
or three times loitering around at night, but we made no effort to let the
parents know so that they could do what they thought was best for their
child.
========================================================

After reading the article, I feel that it's useless. Why? It'll only make those who told parents that they're studying at friends' house but were found somewhere else more cautious (how many percent does that make up compared to those who are rebellious where parents know they're outside but can't do anything?). Otherwise, most of the teenagers dun even care about hiding things from the family. I believe those problematic ones the parents already know that their children are outside loitering but what can they do?

And what are the police doing? Just going up to them taking down particulars and calling the parents that they're loitering at some void decks? (as if most of the parents dunno. What the parents want is the police bringing them back home but I dun think the police gonna go to such extent. It'll end up the police being the free cabbies.)

Even my little sis say that instead of loitering at void decks, they'll choose to go to friend's place and chat thru the nite. See how they catch.

I read in a book called "strengthening your grip" and on the chapter of authority, it's opening paragraph says...
"Each succeeding generation seems to put authority to new tests. Let's face it, this generation is tough, not tender. No longer....
.... is the voice of the parent respected in the home.
.... is the sight of the policeman on the corner a model of courage and control.
.... is the warning of the teacher in the classroom feared and obeyed.
.... is the older person treated with dignity and honour.
.... is the husband considered " the head of the home."
You agree with the above passage?

1. Childhood - A rebellious nature is conceived in a home where parents relinquish control.
2. Adolescence - A rebellious spirit will be cultivated among peers who resist control. And if it isn't curbed there, it culminates at
3. Adulthood - A rebellious life must be crushed by God when He regains control.

Reflect upon yourself (be it if you're a parent or a teenager), you feel the same? or your family someone is behaving like that? The 3 points are progressive thus curb them asap or else it'll be very disastrous if you let God do the crushing.

posted by tornado @ 7:25 AM