One Saturday, a friends's son made plans to go to Prime Time Field in Senoia for some paintball fun. The father of the other boy was providing transportation. For convenience sake, they were to meet at Huddleston School parking lot.

This young man dressed appropriately for the paintball game (camouflage). He packed his disassembled paintball equipment in his backpack and headed to the school to await his ride. It happens there was a hockey game in progress on one of the school parking lots and one of the parents thought he looked suspicious as he sat quietly on the sidewalk. The police were summoned.

Three officers approached and told him to drop his backpack. After searching his backpack and some questioning, they put him in the patrol car and took him to the station. He was later released without incident. This was a terrifying experience for this young man. Thankfully, it had a happy ending — or so they thought.

Two weeks later he received a letter from juvenile court telling him that he was charged with “weapon on school property,” which is a very serious offense.

Paintball markers are considered athletic equipment, not weapons. These are used in games, tournaments, such as the ones sponsored by the National Professional Paintball League, and for recreational fun — just as a hockey stick, baseball, ping pong paddle (and the list goes on) are used.

He did not break any laws. He was on his way to a “sporting“ event. Because of his “uniform,” he was called under suspicion and now faces a day in court (which includes attorney's fees), community service, probation, boot camp, and a permanent record with law enforcement. Where is the justice in this?

In today's society, instead of “love thy neighbor,” we're better to “be cautious of your neighbor.” Guns, drugs, alcohol, disease... and the list goes on. At what point can one determine if a situation is dangerous or not? And who is making these judgment calls? What would frighten you more, being approached with a child holding a hockey stick or a child with a backpack on his back?

The purpose of this letter is to request community support. Yes, we do have to be cautious in this day and age, but we have to draw the line somewhere.

Shanda Coltrain
Senoia

Back to Opinion Page | Back to the top of the page