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Five youths allegedly causing problems at Austin Park twice within the past hour

By Billie Owens

A group of five youths who were allegedly causing trouble at Austin Park were rounded up by Batavia police less than an hour ago and they all walked to the adjacent police station so the officer could take a report and call their parents. They were released.

UPDATE 2:39 p.m.: Dispatch has received another call that the same group of kids is back at Austin Park repeating their alleged mischief, but we have no further details on what that involves. The same officer who handled the first call will be responding again.

Fred GUNDELL

What's with Austin Park?? I thought the taxpayers supported this venue for the citizens and children to use to relax. Not the MMA center of Genesee County. If it is the same youths, their parents need to be held accountable as well, I agree.

Jul 13, 2013, 5:43pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Fred, Here's a better idea, shoot the perps, lock up the parents, and scold all of their relatives.By doing so, there is never the need for personal accountability.

Jul 14, 2013, 10:02am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Frank, the parents should be somewhat responsible. They were contacted by the police authorities and their children were released into their custody. I am not saying hang this all on the parents; the kids should have to answer for this as well. They should punish these children with community service and if, they continued to cause issues then maybe Juvenile Detention. If they go to Juvenile Detention than, the parents should be held responsible for the cost of feeding, healthcare, clothing and utilities used by their child and not the TAXPAYER. After all it is their minor child and they are still responsible for their well-being. Maybe then parents will attempt to get more involved with their child and take note of what outside influences are affecting their child's well-being and behavior. There is no perfect answer but, the current rule of thumb is not working. Like I stated before, no personal accountability. People find fault with everyone and everything else and that is somewhat true. There are other contributing factors. As I stated before, violence in our social media, movies and video games. We are allowing our children to view or play with these violent facilitators. Which also have contributed to the desensitizing of our children and make us partially responsible. How often our children taught by us or others about the morally issues caused by their violent actions? Whether it's bullying, physical/verbal abuse, taking of a life, etc... Parents are just part of the equation to correct violence in our sociality. The media also needs to be held accountable. Hollywood needs to also be held accountable. Game Developers also need to be held accountable. Society as a whole needs to take accountability for their role in this matter.

Parents are the primary yet our society has played a role in taking away a parent's effectiveness. Most families have both parents working to afford to put food on the table, clothes on their backs, a home to shelter them, advancing their child's education, etc... I remember growing up it was greatly frowned upon to have a child raised by a single parent. Not today, it is more accepted. I remember my parents giving me a curfew until I was 18. It was before 9pm on school nights and 12am on weekends. Very few children walking after midnight and 1am. Now I have seen children on the streets in Batavia, LeRoy, Oakfield and other countless locations, until the early morning hours. Is it just kids being kids? Sometimes but, we all know not every innocent child out there is roaming innocently. Times have changed and not for the better.

Jul 14, 2013, 5:04pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

John, how does passing blame to the parents teach one accountability. I seem to recall back in the 70's we were told cartoons were much too violent. Then came the sesame street generation, same old kids, same old problems.

Jul 17, 2013, 5:33am Permalink

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