posted on Apr, 21 2011 @ 06:10 PM
Today, on short notice, I had the privilege of conducting a tour of the Police Department to two groups of troubled youth from a local public school.
I don't often get to address these kids unless it is a situation where they don't want to talk to me because they are in trouble. I gave them some
info I thought they could use in the conference room and then started the tour down the hall to the police station.
As soon as we got into the hallway a young man of about 15 yoa stated boastfully "I'll be in prison in 3 to 5 years". I asked him if he thought
that was "cool" or a good thing. He briefly back paddled and we continued the tour. He was dressed in the "thug" style, for lack of a better
description.
So, to my question; how do we break this cycle? Young men thinking that their life should include a term in prison as a right of passage into
adulthood someway. I asked him his name just so that I could properly address him and he stated that I did not need to know his name. Every time his
friend would say something revealing about them or someone else he would tell him to be quiet. As we passed my office, there was a mug shot on the
bulletin board and he stated that he knew that guy and called him by name, again in a proud sort of way.
How do we rescue our children from a life of crime that seems as normal to them as being required to go to school? Required military service or trade
school? It starts at home, but many are taught "how to" commit crimes by relatives. It's like there is no out. An endless cycle. I guess there is
no real answer.
As a Christian I know the answer but even that cannot be shoved down someone's throat.
Before I close, Please do not turn this into some sort of "cop bashing" thread. It's not about the cops, its about the kids.
Seeashrink