Letter: 'Knee-jerk reaction to 'prank'

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Wednesday, September 23. 2009

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Editor:
An incident happened weeks ago where five young girls, all students, exercised poor judgment and pulled a prank aimed at yet another student. It was a simple prank that should not have happened. Who among us hasn’t been a prankster, especially in their teen years?

These are not hardened criminals, juvenile delinquents or even, “unruly children” as stated on the police department’s incident report which also included charges of criminal trespass, loitering and prowling, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor and curfew violation. They are kids 13 to barely 17 years old! The incident: throwing an egg at a house! One egg. And a roll of toilet paper.

There were conflicting stories of how the criminal trespass charge came about. According to the arresting officer, it had to do with a state law that prohibits entry into a cemetery at night. If the intent had been to vandalize headstones or other cemetery property, this would be a valid charge. Not the case here. A couple of the girls tried to hide at the edge of the cemetery to avoid being detected by a man in a slowly driven pickup truck. Then it became trespass onto the property of the house that was egged. Despite a claim of having videotape evidence of this encroachment, none was produced. Apparently the egg itself was the trespasser.

So here we are with five vandals, as headlined large bold print in The Commerce News the following week, at 1:00 a.m., being sought by a man in an old truck, yelled at by police to come out of hiding, taken into custody, scared to the point where one of the girls wet herself, then threatened with being taken to jail and the YDC by an intimidating officer with no apparent compassion for children, who thought that nervous smiling, giggling and a statement by one of (the girls that) the punishment was too harsh, warranted “unruly child” charges against all five.

Even the victims told the officer that they only wanted to scare the girl (no problem) but the officer chose to take the hard criminal route and arrest and handcuff the two oldest and send them to the county lockup. The others, being younger and without previous records, were released to the custody of a parent, a request previously denied by the arresting officer because it was “a state matter now.”

Other consequences were: an attempt by the school Beta Club to expel the students from the club; the implied loss of scholarship possibilities; punishment in the school athletic program by having some of the girls run laps and polish helmets (although this incident obviously had nothing to do with school), in addition to punishments imposed by parents. These were for the most part honor students, participants in mentoring programs, children very active in church youth projects and school sports. Hardly the criminal types, but treated so.

True, the girls should not have snuck off from a birthday celebration in the middle of the night with the intent of egging a house. The dangers of doing so in this day and time are obvious. But the knee-jerk reaction of the police and press to turn something more than what it actually was is shameful to say the least.

Bob Reynolds
Commerce

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#1 A Parent on 09/23/09 at 07:52 PM

Mr. Reynolds, It is apparent that you must be a parent or grandparent of one of the children involved. You don't agree with the punishment or the way the girls were treated. I'm sorry, but the girls clearly broke the law and will have to suffer the punishment. What about the girl whose house they chose to egg? Is this not just another case of some "popular kids" bullying another kid? How far were they willing to go. Where were the parents at 1:00 a.m.? Does being an Honor student, Church goer, School athlete or Mentor put them above another child that will make the same mistake?
How would you feel if it were turned around and it were your house or your child was the target? What if one of these girls had been shot at, causing injury or worse yet death? Would it still just be a simple little prank?

#2 Anonymous on 09/23/09 at 09:23 PM

Was it just a prank or were the kids being bullies?

#3 Anonymous on 09/24/09 at 06:56 AM

In all fairness to the officer, how was he supposed to know that these were "for the most part honor students, participants in mentoring programs, children very active in church youth projects and school sports"? And even so, if they had pulled out a gun and started shooting, would any of that have mattered? NO!

In this day and age of terrorist, drug cartels and youth gangs, the police MUST assume that anyone behaving in a suspicious manner in the middle of the night with the intent of doing something (that those smart beta club level girls SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WAS) WRONG are indeed criminals.

A harsh lesson, perhaps, but one these girls obviously needed to learn.

If you don't want to "do the time, don't do the crime".

#4 Anonymous on 09/24/09 at 10:46 AM

Honor students or not, bullying is bullying plain and simple. Kudos to the police for acting in an appropriate manner. It's about time someone put a stop to this kind of stuff. This isn't just innocent fun. It occurs at the expense of someone else. These girls deserve to experience punishment as a consequence of their actions. They do not deserve to get off scot free.

#5 Pete Willis on 09/24/09 at 12:13 PM

They were very lucky they didn't egg a house of a person with a gun permit and one or more have been shot. Things are not like they were 20 years ago.

#6 Lime Dilligaff on 09/24/09 at 12:54 PM

I agree with you Mr. Reynolds. There are real crimes being committed daily. These acts were out of the 1950s and 60s, almost innocent compared to drug dealing and other crimes that have happened in this county since I can remember. They should have been made to clean up their mess and apologize to the home owner. It sounds to me like the policeman almost got a little pleasure out of handcuffing a 17 year old girl.

Yes, it does make a difference if they are honor students and active in church – I believe that shows more of behavioral pattern than tossing an egg. Everyone makes mistakes; these girls made a minor one. I think we have much more important things to spend our criminal justice dollars on – but then again, the history of Jackson County tells me there are few guts for that.

#6.1 Anonymous on 09/24/09 at 03:16 PM

I disagree about your "behavioral pattern" statement. People don't always get caught. These girls have probably gotten away with other stuff in the past. Actions have consequences. That can't be overlooked.

#6.2 Anonymous on 09/24/09 at 06:46 PM

You support criminal activity? That shouldn't be a surprise given the childish name you use, "Lime DILLIGAFF. To the readers that don't know what this means, it is an acronym for "Do I Look Like I Give a Fat (F-Word).
An idiot supporting a criminal it seems.

#6.2.1 Cool on 09/25/09 at 03:38 PM

What does LIME stand for? A dozen free eggs if you get it right.

#7 Joe Christmas on 09/24/09 at 02:02 PM

I can see the Commerce police now. Well this child comes from a family that makes him or her go to church, we'll let her go. This other child comes from the wrong side of town throw the book at her. What an idiotic letter. No wonder the child of the letter writer has behavior problems. He should be thankful that the owner of the house that got egged wasn't some stupid redneck with a gun that shot first and asked questions later.

#8 Anonymous on 09/24/09 at 02:50 PM

"...almost innocent compared to drug dealing and other crimes... "
-Really? Myabe these aren't level one, high priority offenses, but are you saying you wouldn't mind if someone through an egg at your house or any property that you own because of how they feel about you? Wow, I don't think everyone has a list of the things that are against the law "technically" but people should still get away with...

"It sounds to me like the policeman almost got a little pleasure out of handcuffing a 17 year old girl."
-I don't think I'm going out on a limb to say nobody enjoys getting arrested by a police officer, and nobody enjoys getting pulled over or receiving a lecture from the cops about something you did wrong, but what in the world has caused this kind of contempt that you harbor for the Commerce Police? How dare you make such a broad generalization? I'm sure if the cops who you've just accused of arresting out of pleasure showed up at your house when you needed them you'd be much more thankful and appreciative of what they do. If they made an arrest because of something that happened to you, you might just be a little less judgemental.

"it does make a difference if they are honor students and active in church – I believe that shows more of behavioral pattern than tossing an egg."
-I certainly don't think this is true in the least. Number one, as has been stated before, the cops would not have known this at the time the girls were committing the crime. Number two, just because someone makes good grades or succeeds academically doesn't him/her incapable of committing wrong. Sometimes, it actually encourages a feeling of entitlement and indestructablility...which you have reinforced. Number three, just because someone takes the time to get up and go to a place of worship for an hour on one day of the week (especially since a lot of young people are simply forced to by their parents) does not mean they live the holy life the other 167 hours in that week. Church attendance isn't the end all be all...what's the saying? Being in a church doesn't make you a Christian any more than being in a carport makes you a car?

" Everyone makes mistakes"
-Yes. Very true. But what's normally the result? What are kids taught from the very youngest of ages? You make a mistake, you pay for it, own up to it, suffer the consequences, whatever the situation calls for. That's what's happening here.

"we have much more important things to spend our criminal justice dollars on – but then again, the history of Jackson County tells me there are few guts for that."
-This last section just seems to be a ranting shot at the county for not focusing on larger problems. Well the thing is, problems (large and small) don't always announce where they're going to happen prior to actually happening. You can't "spend our criminal justice dollars" on crimes that you can't predict. I'm sure what you meant was: focus on drug dealing, etc...which occurs in minority neighborhoods, but not the minor crimes the white honor student, church attending defendants committed. Crime is crime. It happens everywhere, and it's wrong. There should be no "focus" on something you view as horribly criminal, because not everyone shares your views.

I can hope for one thing: these girls committed a crime, albeit a minor one in your eyes; here's to hoping they don't make the same mistake twice.

#9 anonymous on 09/24/09 at 03:16 PM

It is the "kids" committing the "petty" crimes who grow up to commit the "real" crimes IF they are not taught that their actions have consequences. Sounds like another case of demanding the police do their jobs... as long as it doesn't effect you personally.

#9.1 anonymous on 09/24/09 at 05:35 PM

You know the officers of our small town are hard workers. You may not like them or what they do but lets see you go out there and put your life on the line for what they get paid. I don't think you could! If they did wrong than I think they should pay for it. What were they doing out at 1:oo am in the first place. Do you know were your kids are I do. I guess you don't because it seems to me by the way your speaking one of the children is yours. So I think you should be saying how dare me for letting my child stay at a home were they were not being watched. To the officers I thank you for doing your job I know its a hard one but hang in there God knows we need to thank you more than we do. I know that when I lay my head down at night the Commerce Police department will take care of me.

#10 Sue on 09/24/09 at 05:25 PM

I have a reply to several of the "anonymous" comments that were made. I know these girls ALL of them including the victim & to clarify one point -yes it was a prank. The quickness that some of you jump on the "bullying" band wagon is staggering. What they did was wrong & yes i agree they should apologize and made to make amends. But to actually arrest, taken to jackson county, & thrown into general population, & left with a criminal record- seems to be a little bit of an overkill for one egg. Considering the victim's parents only wanted to scare them, how did it get that far. Even the victim said that what these girls got was "a bit harsh". How many taxpayers dollars have been wasted in manhours, vehicle expense, court costs,etc that could have been used more wisely. We were all teenagers once & did similar things (may/may not have been caught doing it) but we did them. Also for the record, i've had my house egged before(twice)& more than one vehicle rolled, but you see i have teenagers & they have friends & those friends have friends & so on, and if there is one thing you learn it's that they love to play pranks on each other. And to all those people who are quick to crucify these girls I pray none of you have children of your own, for one day you may find yourself in a very similar situtation.

#10.1 Anonymous on 09/25/09 at 07:35 AM

I know all the participants as well. But it wasn't just 1 egg. The victim's house and car was egged by some or all of the girls on 2 prior occassions before the night they were arrested. The victim cleaned up the mess made the 1st 2 times and the 3rd time they were awake when the 1st egg hit so the girls took off before being able to further deface their property. 1 egg or a dozen eggs shouldn't matter. What the girls did was wrong and now they have to face the consequences of their actions. Maybe when they have kids of their own, this experience will make them better parents and they won't be faced with the issues they have dumped in their parents laps by their "prank".

#10.1.1 ananomous on 09/25/09 at 01:14 PM

Okay so why are the girls getting blammed for the other eggings. . You don't know they done that. . Get a life!!!!!!!!!!!

#10.2 Anonymous on 09/25/09 at 09:00 AM

I've heard that eggs will ruin a paint job on a car. I guess it's possible that they could also crack a window. Have you watched the movie Mean Girls? Your girls probably don't realize how much these pranks can hurt others. I think the girl deserves and apology.

#11 Anonymous on 09/24/09 at 06:39 PM

It's sad that the parents of these children can't see the real problem, the parents themselves. The kids broke the law. Now the parents want to blame the police officer for doing his job.It's the same as the drunk driver blaming the police for them being charged with DUI. No personal responsibility. It's easier to blame the police when someone screws up. No wonder we have a juvenile problem like we do in Georgia. As for that crack about "who hasn't pulled a prank as a kid", not me and not my children. My wife and I taught them better. Blaming the officer sends the wrong message to these kids.

#11.1 reality check on 09/25/09 at 04:24 PM

You must be truly blessed to be the PERFECT person/parent to have never made a mistake or bad judgement, EVER!! And if you think your kids are PERFECT too, then they are either too young yet or either you havent woken up from your PERFECT dream world yet!

#12 gabe fulbright on 09/25/09 at 09:00 AM

I see were everyone is comin from..but still you have to think everyone makes mistakes in thier life time.No one is perfecet by no means.Yeah they was breakin the law i will say that,but still you have to look at what you have done in your past simple mistakes can bring someone down..people will look down on you for the smallest stuff.Yeah things is not like they was 20 years ago but no body should be judging someone when you wouldnt want to be judged if you was in trouble with the law.Take the shoe and put it on your foot,if you got caught doin something and people was writtin comments bout it sayin that they should be shot at or something like that your WRONG.They are just teenagers they have to learn from thier mistakes and they have.Its all and over with now they have got their punishment and they are doin what they have to.Why wont people just drop all the harsh stuff that has been said bc you know yourself that you wouldn't want anyone writting stuff bout you sayin you should be shot.It dont matter if your 17 21 22 or even 65 your gonna get in trouble if you get caught,but once again look at what you have done and see if you would like people sayin stuff bout you..didnt think so.

#13 other anonymous on 09/25/09 at 12:28 PM

The letter writer chose not to reveal the fact that the kids' parents went over to the victim's place of work to express their anger over the charges being levied. It also failed to note that (a) the incident in which the arrests were made was the THIRD act of vandalism at this residence and (b) while only one egg struck the house on this account, the girls had a bag of eggs they would have use similarly had the victims not heard the first egg strike and interrupted the vandalism.
I hope the kids have learned a valuable lesson. It is clear that the parents have not.

#13.1 Anonymous on 09/25/09 at 01:06 PM

I also see where everyone is coming one, but many of these citizens don't have a clue as to what really happened. No one really knows, except the five girls that were involved. I know all of the girls that were involved and yes, I will say that they were wrong in egging someone's house and yes they did break the law but that doesn't make them horrible peole or "bullies" as some of you have stated, and it sure as heck doesn't mean that the rest of the people on this planet are perfect angels that have never done anything wrong in there life. Yes, some of you may not agree with Mr. Reynolds, but if this was your child or grandchild or even someone really close to you, you would be doing the same thing. To "A Parent" this was not a case of the so-called "popular kids" bullying the "nonpopular kids". How dare you ask the question "where were the parents?" Do you know where your children are at 1:00? you may think you do, but newsflash, you need to think again. You can't blame the parents for this. All parents can do is teach their children right from wrong and hope their children are instilled with these lessons.

#14 anonymous on 09/25/09 at 12:58 PM

Ok first of all, some of you should be spending your time a little more wisely. Why are you sitting here on the computer sticking your nose in everyone else's problems when it is clear you should probably find a better way to waste your time. Second of all, noone cares what you think. I know these girls and they are good people who simple made a poor choice of judement. They went to the woman's place of work to appologize! I don't see how all of that got turned around into something totally different. And only one of the girls threw an egg, so why should the ones who didn't even do anything be prosecuted. These girls have told me the stories about talking to lawyers and judges who thought all of this nonsense was a JOKE! So what seems to be your excuse? You people are so quick to crucify people you don't even know. Ask anyone and they will tell you how good these girls are. Yes I agree that they should have had some punishment, but 6 different charges. Seems to be a bit harsh. Shouldn't we be using our tax dollars to get drug dealers off of the street instead of worry about 1 egg. And seriously don't talk about there parents because they have wonderful parents. You people should get the facts before you comment on something you have no background information about!

#14.1 Anonymous on 09/25/09 at 01:51 PM

...I'm sorry, but aren't you "sitting here on the computer sticking your nose in everyone else's problems", too?

#15 Anonymous on 09/25/09 at 01:08 PM

First of all, people need to stop jumping to conclusion about these girls. I know all of them very well even the girl that lived at the house who got egged. How dare you call these girls "bullys" when yall don't even know them. Yeah they made a mistake. Yeah they did't abide by the law. The thing is they have no criminal records. They are very good kids. They didnt do it because they hated the girl or anything. .it was just a 'prank' and yes it was a mistake. They are all paying for it.Even the two kids that got put in jail. They are going through ALOT. They got punished way worse then they deserve. And for everyone who says don't blame the cop who arrested them. . Okay for one thing he was doing his job but he done it very pourly. None of yall were there so yall dont know how they were treating them. And second off the girls did go to the victims work to apologize for what they did. They did not go there to complain about the charges. So all yall need to get yalls story straight before you go saying stuff like yall did. This 'prank' happened 3 months ago. . its done and over with so DROP IT! The girls are paying for what they did. And also for the ones who are blaming the parents unless you know them don't judge them. Thats stupid. I also know the paprents. There also going through alot with all of this. Also the people who are sitting there calling then criminals. .yall act like yall haven't done anything that was against the law. .Like egging a house. . rolling a house. . even painting the bridge. . I know alot of girls from Commerce high school and alot of them go and paint the bridge. . So everybody needs to stop judging people you don't know. . I am gonna leave it at that.....

#16 Anonymous on 09/25/09 at 01:09 PM

Maybe other kids will think twice before engaging in this type of behavior in the future.

#17 Food101 on 09/25/09 at 01:18 PM

What was the date of the original story in the paper?

#18 Joe Christmas on 09/25/09 at 02:47 PM

To the genius who wrote "You are sitting here sticking your nose in other peoples problem", well it was Bob Reynolds who chose to criticize a policeman in a public forum. If he and you and everybody else would have accepted their punishment and kept their mouth shut nobody would have known or cared about this incident.

#19 Kim on 09/25/09 at 04:25 PM

Im sorry but if you choose to do something like that, egging a house, than you deserve what yo.u get. Obviously they were not gonna stop vandalizing this house because they had done it before. These girls need to remember that their actions can effect them for the rest of their lives. Whether they go to church or they are are good students a crime is a crime!!! No matter who you are in this community

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Letter: 'Knee-jerk reaction to 'prank'

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Letter: 'Knee-jerk reaction to 'prank'

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