How does getting tough on juvenile offenders erode police-juvenile relations?

Answer 1

If getting tough on them means nit picking and harassing them, arresting them every time they jay walk or that type of bull then you're just creating a bad situation.

Police need to have effective relations with the community, and the kids are a large part of that community. If an officer has the right relationship with a kid then that kid will tell the officer things that the officer needs to know. And the kid will also pay attention to what the officer is telling him he can't be doing (to varying degrees of course) based on his having a relationship with that officer.

Treat the kid with respect, but if he crosses the line then kick him in the butt. Catch him drinking on the corner, take his booze, kick him in the butt, tell him to get lost, and also tell him if you catch him again he's going in. It works pretty well with an amazing number of kids. Enforce the things that are important, bend a little on the less important stuff, and you have a much better chance that a kid will fly straight(er).

But my impression is that the law enforcement model has changed considerably and it is much more difficult to build and maintain relationships today. Not many officers walking a beat anymore..... to bad really.

Oh, and to the first responder above: "Is age an excuse for doing something that you KNOW to be wrong?". Uhhmm, yes. Thats exactly what our judicial system is based on. There is a widely held belief that younger people may not be mature enough to make fully thought out, rational decisions. Thats why parents can tell kids what to do, becasue the kids aren't considered to be capable of making thier own decisions at all times. I hope that helps you clarify your "thinking".

Answer 2

Why should there be any police-juvenile relations in the first place? Once you know the difference between right and wrong, you're responsible for your actions. If you choose to break the law, the police should come down on you with both feet, and hard! Is age an excuse for doing something that you KNOW to be wrong?

Answer 3

It's always important to keep a connection between the Police and Juveniles. You don't want them to always fear the police or hate them, haveing a connection is good. I know plenty of kids in my town who love talking to the police cuz they don't get the adult concept at home. Their parents aren't there for them, so it's a good avenue for communication. The police in my town try hard to keep good relations with the kids so they get vital information when needed, and a mutual respect of the two in day to day life. Not having an open line between the two eventually erodes society cuz they become the adults down the road................

Answer 4

Whatever we do, lets not be tough on adult stock owners, cheating republican politicians, Carl Hove, or Bush. We will be OK folks, if we just keep imprisoning the lowly paid privates in our military that are taking the fall for kiss-*** generals. Let us not worry about the missing pension funds, the homeless veterans or the shortages in VA Medical Treatment for are wounded troops.
Also, only pathetic liberals worry about sick people, if sick people can not treat themselves then they don't deserve to live, just ask your locale republican politician.
"Are you for more prison cells or better prison medical treatment for prisoners?" If you voted for cells, I can only say thank you, when Libby goes to jail and gets sick, he should have worried about that before he was raised by a violent alcoholic.
I am personally very proud of my fathers decision to spend every dime of his money, houses, cars and popsicles before he died.
And no upstanding neo-conservative would accept Social Security, that would be like saying that FDR had a good idea for Americans. If and when you are going to receive a SS Check destroy the check and live free.
If you are not able to pick yourself up by the boot straps and make a new start, then you need to join the Democratic Party.

Answer 5

I agree - even as i changed into 17 i changed into attacked by using a black youngster interior the mall for 'gazing him incorrect', and my perfect pal changed into badly overwhelmed by using a fifteen twelve months old youngster and his punk acquaintances also for gazing him the incorrect way. My assailant changed into already established to scouse borrow and vandalise and changed into meant to be despatched to juvi after assaulting me instead he were given a police caution and a suspended sentence. the toddlers who attacked my pal were given police warnings for putting him in health center for a week and giving his 8 stitch huge gashes for the length of his head. yet curiously the police seem to think of their criminal age releases them from duty. I cant see how the police might want to be morally or ethically severe with a number of those concerns. Grevious actual harm often incorporates a penal complicated sentence, or a minimum of harsher consequences than a goddamn caution. i imagine once you're sufficiently old to attend to to bodily harm someone, or be sufficiently old to appreciate the outcome of unacceptable behaviour, you should be responsible.

Answer 6

Well it depends on what the offense is. But generally it just makes criminals out of kids that may clean up their act.