"these kids need an outlet protected by the cops"???? Did you really just type that??

These teens need parents, which seem to be in short supply in Fayette County. First of all the teen centers were closed down because of underage drinking and drugs.

The sad thing is especially in PTC the teens are just reproductions of and a direct reflection of their parents. Ill mannered, self-centered, destructive, foul mouthed little brats. They think that they have the right to do whatever they want and that the laws and ordinances are for the "little people". The coyotes in the nature preserve behind my house behave better than the kids here.

Of all the places I have ever lived we have the most incompetent parents I have ever seen. They have completely abdicated their authority as parents. They think everyone else but them is responsible for their out of control brats.

Guess who made them? Here is a newsflash for you and every other careless low class irresponsible parent out there. No one else is responsible for your carlessness with birthcontrol. You had a kid, it is your job to raise it. Do your job.!

I have at least 5-6 PTC TEENS at my house most weekends. They do everything from play video games, go swimming in the pool, to help me pick up sticks etc. In return I cook them some hot dogs and hamburgers. Not ONCE have I had one of them be disrespectful. They seem to be good kids all around. Good students, etc. These are kids from both Starrs Mill and McIntosh (where my Son will be Junior).

It's obvious we disagree about the state of kids in this area.

I'm sure they are well behaved in your presence.

Not bitter about all kids, just the ones who have been taught to be ill mannered and destructive. When their parents let them get away with bad behavior, they have been taught that it is ok.

I figure the more time they are around someone watching them, the less likely they are to be in trouble. I know I was far from perfect when I was a "yute", but I never resorted to graffiti, trashing things, etc. I figure I can show them how to have a good time without resorting to tearing up other people's property.

Thanks for being a good parent. I know there are a few of you out there. Git Real and bad_ptc also talk about how they have set up their homes so that the kids will hang out there.

Good job!

I just thought it was a silly notion to think that the cops and the community at large should babysit peoples teens. The usual excuse is that there is nothing for kids to do here. Which is pure bunk. There are so many activities for kids to choose from they can't decide which one to pick. The only thing we don't have available for them here is rock climbing, bungee jumping, horseback riding, and robot camp like they have at GA Tech.

Anyway, good job you for stepping up to the plate.

If some kids want to meet, say Friday night, for a get together, just where now do they do that? They have nothing specific in mind...no swiming, no basketball, no restaurant!

Sky, I agree that parents need to do their jobs when it comes to parenting, but after a certain age these kids don't care to sit around all weekend playing board games with mom and dad. They prefer to be doing things with their friends and there are not a lot of places for them to do that around here.
If we do try to give them something, it is overtaken by the sorry people who ruin it for everyone.
Just don't be so hard on PTCbubbleMommie, you don't know what her kids are like.

My kids are just fine, as are a good bit of them in this town. I'm just saying that we need a venue where they can hang out and it can be closely watched by members of the police department - off duty or on. That's easier than trying to sit here and whine and complain about how parents aren't raising them right. the parents are going to still raise them crappy and they are still going to act out. might as well have something for them to burn that energy on. We have managed to close everything so far that the kids like to do, and now we see ridiculous stories about the city financing expensive ventures for other people. Why not invest in something here for the kids that is inexpensive and fun?

Dear "letsgetreal" - welcome to the 21st century, youngun. I am sad to say that our generation is falling for the lie that laws can fix all our problems when only responsible people taking responsibility to act responsibility can do that. Public spaces should not be closed to people enjoying each others company - unless they do something wrong (ie paint graffiti or break windows). We have lost sight of the Constitution and give our liberty away to lawmakers and police in exchange for what we think is safety when it really is bondage.

By the way, did you get that policeman's name? File a complaint against him. He should always talk with respect. My children have encountered such disrespectful talk from PTC police who seem to think every young person a punk that needs 'hard talk' to hear. This is a bad assumption that needs to be changed.

Remember Sir Edmond Burke "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to remain silent". Keep speaking up.

Citizenal- Trust me we did get his name and we are going to file complaints against him. I agree that young people do tend to fall under a negative image, but there are a few good ones left! This truly is one of those cases where good people fell under a stereotype.

Everyone it talking about taking responsibility for your own kids, but you have to keep in mind there is this HUGE thing called pure pressure!!! It takes a very strong-willed individual to rise above what is going on "in the streets" I just wish that parents would start taking a look at the bigger picture when their children are younger. I feel violence, manners, and respect all stem from when children are very young (ie. 5-10) The tv shows, video games, and movies that are being produced for kids in that age bracket are effecting them one way or another. I could go on and on about what I feel is wrong with todays society, but I don't have the time... Parents get the picture- you have one real chance to have your kids turn out right---Don' mess it up!

I'm glad you got his name. I'm sure some of these officers have had bad experiences with teens in the past, but it's not right to jump to those conclusions about every teen they encounter, particularly when that teen isn't doing anything destructive.

On to my tirade about parents! Yes, peer pressure is a difficult thing to contend with, but raising a kid with good self-esteem will help. And, news flash! Interfering with your child's natural growth experiences doesn't help your child! Kids should experience conflict - those playground dust-ups teach them something. If your mom comes running outside to save the day every time there's a disagreement between kids in the neighborhood, how will you ever learn to negotiate and resolve problems? If your parents blame the teacher every time you get a bad grade, or worse, if their first instinct is to believe the child instead of the teacher if there's an issue at school, how will your kid learn to accept criticism and change his behavior? If "everybody is a winner!" then how will your kids ever learn that not everyone is the same, some people are better than others at certain tasks/skills? We can't all be #1, and Mom and Dad won't be able to come to work with you and make your boss be nice. They'll be able to console you at home, though, since you'll probably still be living with them...

Someone (might be Neal Boortz) talks about the wussification of America. This is how it's done.

I like to think I'm a good parent, but I've been told by my kids as well as other parents that we're stricter than most parents are. My kids are expected to use last names when talking with adults (no "Miss Jane" or "Mr. Bill"). They are responsible for the behavior of their friends when their friends are in our home. They are expected to follow the rules at their friends' homes, and know they will be punished for any infractions. They understand that their behavior is a reflection on our family. Being present while other kids are acting like morons (vandalism, demeaning/harrassing other kids, throwing Dum-Dums) and not speaking up to say it's wrong is just as bad as participating in the moronic behavior. I'm not afraid to be held accountable for my children's behavior - as their mother, I'm at least partially responsible for it. That may bite me in the rear one day, but if it does, shame on me.

There is a problem but this is not the answer. You invite a police state upon your head. Police were not trained to be baby sitters. They were trained to fight crime. Being out at night minding your own business is not a crime. Look what happened to writer 'letsgetreal'. We may all agree that it can likely lead to crime but it is not yet a crime. When you start punishing people for being in a posture that 'could' lead to crime you are on dangerous ground. Kinda like Russia or China.