Stupid Kids . . . I know they stole our bikes but . . .

[OakLeaf]

Yeah, I guess in my usage and that of most people I know, there isn't a bright line age cut-off for who we'd call "kids," but I would say anyone under 25, particularly when they're doing stupid and criminal stuff. I think the term does have a more negative connotation than ragazzi does in Italian. (But, doesn't everyone say "college kids?" The vast majority of college students are over 18. But anyway.)

I just want to say one more thing ... if without any more information than has been posted in this thread, someone has completely written off these people as unsalvageable as human beings, I'm not going to argue about that. Whatev'. But the question of felony vs misdemeanor seems to me analogous to how you want to get rid of something you don't want in the house. Throw it away, fine. But a felony conviction is like flushing someone down the toilet. At best, you pollute the water and wind up with the residues in drinking water and irrigated soil. At worst, it backs up all over your bathroom...

[goldfinch]

Yeah, I guess in my usage and that of most people I know, there isn't a bright line age cut-off for who we'd call "kids," but I would say anyone under 25, particularly when they're doing stupid and criminal stuff. I think the term does have a more negative connotation than ragazzi does in Italian. (But, doesn't everyone say "college kids?" The vast majority of college students are over 18. But anyway.)

I just want to say one more thing ... if without any more information than has been posted in this thread, someone has completely written off these people as unsalvageable as human beings, I'm not going to argue about that. Whatev'. But the question of felony vs misdemeanor seems to me analogous to how you want to get rid of something you don't want in the house. Throw it away, fine. But a felony conviction is like flushing someone down the toilet. At best, you pollute the water and wind up with the residues in drinking water and irrigated soil. At worst, it backs up all over your bathroom...

Thanks for the emphasis of this point.

We have flushed too many people down the toilet in this country. No rehabilitation allowed.

[shootingstar]

Understanding consequences doesn't also mean writing off people as unsalvageable. So rehab is desired, community service, etc.

Far from it. And it is possible for a parent...if they wish to provide support to the delinquent teenager for the good things about the person -- without condoning/approving a criminal act. And theft is wrong, it is not a "game". Just like bullying, etc. I choose the latter behaviour as something so real among teens, which seems so small, inconsequential to some bullies, that it can affect the victim's mental health...to the point of suicide. (Several highly publicized cases in Canada within the past few months.)

So small acts crime or abuse, if left unchecked, can snowball slowly into something bigger over time.

So what should be done for teens so that there won't be a repeat in break 'n enter, theft on a bigger scale or whatever else later?

I was intrigued when my manager hired a lawyer so that her 21 yrs. old son could be defended for a drunk driving charge. Her son..has a full time job and was going to college. So not a baby. He was living at home. This was last year..

Or maybe because I don't have children but after watching my partner deal with his kids...None of them did anything criminal but some major stumbles in judgement errors and living with the consequences. We all have our stories.

[rebeccaC]

A side note for those of you who live in Seattle....the Seattle PD started a twitter feed the beginning of this month for the stolen bikes they have recovered and bikes that have been found/turned in. Having a photo and serial number of your bike is a good idea to help get it back!!

https://twitter.com/GetYourBikeBack

[shootingstar]

Yes, we tend to forget to take pictures of our "babies".

Here is how the law works in Canada: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Rev...943/story.html
Each province has a human rights code which are all similar with respect to employment, housing... I believe the basis is Canadian federal constitutional law, Charter of Rights.

Have I heard someone not hired because of a criminal record/charge? Yes, it was a U.S. applicant. We did not spend time to figure out what the charge was. (Seriously wonder how long the cross-border criminal check would have meant from Canada into U.S.....for a temporary worker.) We really needed to work with the person on-site to speed up collaboration work. So our preference for simplicity were Canadian candidates to speed up project start timeframes.

This is for a public sector/govn't employer.

Yes, I work in an area with sensitive info.

[aponi]

Perhaps a bit off topic, but I have a friend at work who told me that her original boss told her that it came down to her and one other person. The other person had some questionable things on their FB page so she got the job.

tough that

Also off topic but I once had a kid hit my car right smack in front of a fire station. I think the guys were a little disappointed that they didn't get to break out the jaws of life. Anyway it was cold out so we were all in the fire station waiting for the police. The cop shows up and tells me that he smelled alcohol on his breath, kid is 20, the very next day he is supposed to be leaving for an archological dig in Malta, he's a senior in college, his girlfriend is pretty much breaking up with him at that very moment. In the cop's opinion the kid is not drunk but he's underage so by definition if he gives him a breathalizer anything at all showing up means he'll have to arrest him. What do I want to do?

All the firemen are looking at me. It was actually kind of tense. I asked the cop if he could scare the kid really bad and then let him go. He got a really evil glint in his eye. I fear I unleashed something here but I figure if he can scare him out of doing anything stupid like that again then ok. I think the guys hanging out there watching the goings on approved.

[redrhodie]

A side note for those of you who live in Seattle....the Seattle PD started a twitter feed the beginning of this month for the stolen bikes they have recovered and bikes that have been found/turned in. Having a photo and serial number of your bike is a good idea to help get it back!!

https://twitter.com/GetYourBikeBack

I wonder if Mimi has seen that link? It would be so great if she got Donald's bike back.

[kajero]

We are out of town right now. The detective contacted us right before we left and used the word, "kids," and said the "kids were going to be charged" so I assumed they were minors. We didn't have any time to do anything else as we were on a tight deadline. will know more when we get back and pick up the bikes and will post then.