johnt
>>>>> "Lori" == Lori Sodorff <sodo8711@uidaho.edu> writes:
> The M.P.D. would have us beleiving that all of the teens who
> hang out in friendship square are all delinquents. This is not
> the case. If the C.O.P.S. in this town, particularly those
> transplants from the large Cal. state cities, would stop
> treating the youths like hardend criminals perhaps they wouldn't
> try to pretend to act that way. This is not California and the
> streets of Moscow are safe for the most part.
The transplants
> from the above mentioned state came here because of that reason,
> however they are still using the same tactics, to deal with not
> only teens but adults as well, as they were forced to in Calif.
> The need to stop and take a breath every once in a while.
> As an example: Several months ago I was at a going away party
> where there were several live bands. The house was located near
> a large apartment complex and someone called in a complaint
> about the noise level. When the police arrived, several people
> went to talk with the police. The police were for the most part
> unwilling to listen to anything that was being said. When a
> police officer was asked what the complaint was a bout he in a
> very agitated state claimed that it was because of the noise.
> When asked if he had a decible meter, again in a very agitated
> state claimed that if he could hear the noise outside of the
> house he didn't need one. By this time he was no more than 3 or
> 4 inches from the young mans face to whom he was speaking. I
> then interveend stating that I thought they both needed to calm
> down and take a big breath. When I asked the officer where he
> was from guess what he said? California. I then proceeded to
> point out that the decible level of sound was, as he was quite
> aware, a very fresh issue, i.e. decible levels in the park. And
> that I felt his agitation was only going to insight a situation
> that was not necessary. An that without a decible meter he,
> (they), could not issue any tickets without proof of ordinance
> miscompliance. As he spoke to me I also suggested that he not
> treat this situation as he would one in California. Although he
> did not appreciate my comment he did seem to calm his vocal
> influxtions as well as his body language. The matter was
> finally closed with no confrontation on either side. However the
> threat was there simply because of the attitude that the
> M,P.D. brought with them.
> Basically what I am trying to say is that kids will be
> kids. They need something to keep them entertain. They are also
> going to make mistakes as they journey down lifes roads. It is
> these mistakes that will give them wisdom an help to form them
> into rounded adults. But if the M.P.D. had there way about it
> they would through everyone they perceive to be a delinquent
> into jail. They continually harras the same people over and
> over. In most cases without just cause. This constant
> harassment only makes young people even more rebelious towards
> authority!!!!!
> I was once asked by Gary Young, city council candidate, how I
> thought the teens of friendship square could be reached. He was
> of coarse asking with a Christian agenda in mind. At that time I
> did not have an answer for him but, later I it came to me that
> like Jesus if you want to understand what people are about and
> where they are coming from then you have to meet them on their
> level. Go to where the people are and don't expect them to come
> to you.
> To sum up this long blabber, Our community is responsible for
> the citizens that it creates, i.e. our youth, and if we don't
> create a place for them to go for reasons of: entertainment,
> refuge from parents, encouragement, and council, then we will
> surely have failed then as if we had taken them out into the
> woods and left them to fend for themselves with no food or
> protection.
> That's my two cents worth.
> Kay Sodorff-Henson p.s. please excuse the spelling