I am relatively new to the Highland Park neighborhood
(having lived on the border in Morningside for 3 years) and have subscribed
to the list. We too, have noticed a lot of kids doing a lot of roaming
around the park off of King St. and through our area around
Wellesley/Stanton/Highview.
I was not able to make it to the meeting at the Union
Project this past Tuesday, but wonder if there has ever been a block watch type
of program in the area? When kids pass by our street we always try to say
hi and engage them in some way/make eye contact, etc. Now, clearly that
may have no effect and some kids are unafraid/not intimidated and/or just
out to make trouble; some kids are surprised and say hi back, and some think
it's funny, but it also helps us see who is in our neighborhood. We
do the same with adults. But I also would be willing to be part of groups
of neighbors who walk the neighborhoods at night - safer as a group of adults
and a larger presence then just one or two adults confronting a group of
kids.
I whole-heartedly agree about kids having options for other
things to do (especially in the summer months), and the idea of law enforcement
going to the kids' homes and addressing things there and/or seeing what the home
environment is like, but that may also just be part of the solution and not
possible - especially considering that by the time the police arrive, the kids
are gone.
Anyway, in seeing all of the messages come through about
break-ins and kids' activities, I was wondering if anything like this has ever
been done or if anyone is interested. Perhaps the Commander could
give feedback/advice about it.
I have lived in the Highland Park
area since the early 90's. The problem with roaming groups of defiant,
destructive, inconsiderate and loud kids has been on the steady increase,
particularly over the past few years. I realize that we are supposed to
call the police when we encounter such a group, but it doesn't seem to be a
deterrent whatsoever. What's it going to take to rectify the
situation?????? What happened to the city curfew? What
happened to the police hauling these kids home and having a conversation with
the parents/guardians/adults in the residence? Better yet, how about
coming up with some other options for these kids to expend their pent up energy
and frustrations? How long are we supposed to put up with this behavior
and not resort to our own solutions? When this type of petty crime occurs with the regularity that it
does in this area, it adversely affects quality of lilfe as much as what some
might consider more serious or significant crime. I am tired of it and my
guess is that someone is going to get seriously hurt if this
continues.