This Is Why We Have a Crime Problem
This week marked the first week of school for students at IPS’ John Marshall Middle School on the city’s east side. Unfortunately some parents forgot; about half of them. Out of about 800 students, nearly half of them have not shown up for class.
Lawrence Township Trustee Mike Hobbes is announcing today that his office will withhold poor relief for any family whose children have not attended school. I like the idea, why should the taxpayers fork over their hard earned money so a bunch of people can sit around and watch television all day?
But the fact that these children are missing school is symptomatic of a bigger problem.
Part of the reason we have a crime problem is because the only people who don’t seem to think it’s a problem are the people most impacted by it. They don’t cooperate with the police, they don’t send their kids to school, but somehow a good chunk of them have found the route to the public troth.
I’m not saying build a fence and leave them to their own devices, but until the people in these crime-ridden communities decide that they’ve had enough, crime will never get under control.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:47 am
Of all the posts you’ve ever written, this one rings true the most. Excellent.
How could the Marshall families NOT know school re-started? The news media was all over it. I’m told the affected families got letters.
Some people had ought not to have kids–instead, rent some when they feel the occasional need to parent. Of these truant Marshall kids, if you follow patterns, many would become problem teens in the judicial system. And hugely expensive to all of us.
In the case of the truant Marshall families, some of these kids are doomed to repeat their parents’ errors.
Remember–middle schoolers are 11-14. Hardly old enough to be making all their own decisions. Which is why we have this thing called parents.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:56 am
Will the circle be unbroken, By and by……
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:22 am
Are these kids coming from the same families that allowed their 11 and 12 year old children to be out at all hours of the night during IBE causing the problems referenced in an earlier news article? There must be consequences for such poor parental behavior. However, what a mess. While I hate the idea, maybe we are at a point where we have to have large institutional housing for children who are unfortunate enough to be born into such terrible situations. Take the money that is being wasted on these inattentive parents and put it into such a system. Cost neutral and possibly better environment for these children.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 am
On a slightly different note, my gosh this is an early return to school. Late July? Late August seems like an early return. (insert ‘back in my day’ routine).
Is this a part of a keep kids off the streets program? If so, can understand the intent to a point, but won’t the unintended consequence of teachers working more days/year be a demand for greater salary? Costs here, or costs there.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 am
trough, not troth.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 am
There is wisdom for raising children found in the scriptures of the bible. Proverbs 22:6 reads, “Train up a child in the way he should and when he is old he will not depart from it”. The key word is “train”. It is evident that not only these children, but many children are not being trained by parents to value education, respect adults, and be responsible to themselves and their community. I agree with the withholding of government assistance from people that are not willing to help themselves and are enable the next generation, but I caution that this new political maneuver of withholding government assistance should be weighed carefully before it trickles into common practice.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:52 am
well, duh..they must be on that ridiculous “full-year” schedule where kids are supposed to be in school on wonderful summer days like today, THEN have a 3-week Xmas break…what is wrong with that picture…everything….if we jsut went to a Labor Day to Memorial Day schedule and cut out some Spring and winter break everyone would be happy…Oh and make the teachers do “special training” after hours…not on Wednesdays.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:58 am
love the spelling nazis – just kidding varang.
This is just plain crazy. Half of the kids don’ show up. This goes hand in hand with the IBE kids and bad parenting we mentioned earlier (which TA seemed to ignore.) Abdul is correct, things will never get better until these people become actual parents and are willing to step up and help the police rid the streets of crime. Mike is also correct in that this is super early for school to start! glad I didn’t go there as a kid.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 am
Bible Sense – just read your comment and forgot to add that I also agree poor relief should be withheld for these loser parents. However, I will argue that this SHOULD BE common practice. They want the money, they need to do something . . . like a little thing called get their kids on the bus!
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:43 am
What good is Brown vs. the Board of Education if nobody wants it?
It’s time for some tough love.
It’s time to get the correct answers to the following basic questions.
Do you make sure your child attends school everyday?
Do you support the schools standards for behavior and dress.
Do you read to your children?
Do you go to parent teacher conferences?
Do you make it a priority to help your children do there homework?
Do you review your children’s report card and provide rewards and punishments for good and bad performance?
Bill Cosby – Pound Cake Speech
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/billcosbypoundcakespeech.htm
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:34 am
“Lawrence Township Trustee Mike Hobbes is announcing today that his office will withhold poor relief for any family whose children have not attended school. I like the idea, why should the taxpayers fork over their hard earned money so a bunch of people can sit around and watch television all day?”
Meanwhile, in Wayne Township, trustee David King Baird has hired his girlfriend to go to schools and try to give away $100,000 of “school uniforms.”
He even advertises in the local papers for people to come to his office and get their “free” money and benefits.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 am
Won’t this spark more crime, as people turn to ‘other people’s money’ to pay their own expenses?
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 am
David Baird is a 14 Karat goofball, drunk on public power and a public salary. Kinda like Carl Drummer.
Jerry, I didn’t ignore anything. John Marshall grad, this goes for you, too:
By the 2006 Annual Report Card, JMMS is 65% black, 35% other races including white. Using the formula that 90% of the IBE attendees are not white, then the following must be true:
A good chunk of the non-attendees at JMMS yesterday must have been non-black. So, the folks who are intent on dropping their kids off at Circle Centre on Sat IBE, could very well be the majority of non-attentive JMMS parents. But they are not, by a long shot, the ONLY non-attentive JMMS parents.
So much for drive-by assumptions, huh?
As for year-round school: much research indicates at-risk children thrive better in an environment where they don’t take extended vacations. It makes sense: too many forget too much over the summer months. Doubt it? Ask any teacher how much Aug-Oct time is spent reviewing last year’s material. Especially for at-risk students (of ANY race).
And, given the cost of new schools, it could make sense to utilize the physical facility more than for 8-9 months a year. The three-month non-utilization, spread over an entire system like IPS, could result in fewer new schools needed in the future.
I went to school Sept-May, too. But it’s a different world today. Just a thought.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:11 am
“I’m not saying build a fence and leave them to their own devices…”
Maybe that is part of the problem, no fence.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:27 am
About effing time someone starting holding someone accountable in this city. Hats off too Hobbs. He will probably loose his job but he is taking a stand….on principle. Unlike most of our current elected officials.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
While I applaud Hobbs’ initiative, and willingness to think outside the “box” as it were, I think that he will end up being slapped in the face by our friends at ACLU-IN.
My reason for saying this is that, while a good portion on students attending John Marshall live in Lawrence Township, the school is in fact IPS. Add to that mix the fact that the majority of students attending JM are black, whereas the majority of Lawrence Township is white, and you have a mix made in lawsuit heaven.
The argument can go that the Trustee has no jurisdictional authority over the school (he doesn’t) and the fact that he is “picking on” black families (the demographics) would demonstrate a lack of compassion for these black families, and a desire to keep them from benefits they maybe entitled to. If Hobbs were to make this applicable to all schools within Lawrence Township, and not single out a school that is primarily black, then he might be able to defend his decision. Otherwise, I think the Township is going to have to spend it resources defending itself.
Opinion Big “A”?
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Odds are they were part of the problem downtown last Saturday don’t you think, Think Again?
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
JWM odds are they could’ve been part of the problem.
But, a large chunk of kids who didn’t show up for the first day at JMMS were not at IBE, and, another large chunk isn’t black.
Just sayin’.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Who said anything about black?
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Come on, JW, don’t play that game…most of the posts on this subject and the IBE subject, were code for black.
I doubt you’re really that stupid.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
TA – I’m sure there were a good amount of young “wiggers” at IBE as well…just saying. None of us know for sure what the percentages are, but the lack of parenting point (regardless of color or if they attended IBE) still holds and is what you glossed over.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Wow-Jerry–did you learn that term at kkk summer camp?
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Did anyone actually listen to Hobbs on the radio this morning? He isn’t withholding ANYTHING. He actually said that they would still get the assistance needed. How the hell is that withholding poor relief? Hobbs, quit politicing and do the RIGHT thing.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I believe the reason John Marshall goes back to school in July is due to educational performance issues during the regular year. They changed it to a year round school to improve scores, etc. It was in all the news at the time, many of you just forgot. Several of these under performing schools hit the all year long schedule when they didn’t meet No Child Left Behind, etc. etc. etc. ISTEP, etc. etc. etc. It’s a problems geographic area of our city for real. The cooperative housing complex just south of there was the place the young mother was murdered by a bullet going through the wall last year.. she had just moved in! But all this talk of responsibility is great if these people knew the real meaning of that word. Kids having children is the real problem. Loss of parental leadership, etc.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
I thought the Trustee actually mentioned on the radio that this will apply to all schools within Lawrence Township (or those used by Township residents) when the time comes for everyone else to go back to school. Also, while this is not going to make every child go to school, can’t this be a step towards schools reaching out to get their kids to show up? It seems like a decent idea, even if it will not end up changing the world.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
No, Jerry, dear heart, I glossed over nothing.
I was trying to be delicate, something you apparently don’t understand.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
wow and think again – please spare me with your political correctness. As a white guy, I can’t say the “n” word when some black guys use it as a term of affection, and now I can’t use the “W” word even though I’m white.
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Oh, and I forgot I also can’t say anything about Obama! I can’t talk about Obama’s ears, his wife, his preacher, his mother, his father, the fact he is a liberal, his color or lack thereof, his schooling, his middle name, his bomber and mobster friends, his lack of experience, his income, his flag lapel . . . I guess we can’t say anything anymore! give me a frickin break – get over yourselves.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:07 am
SCARED STRAIGHT?
Failing to ensure your child attends school is a CRIME, it’s called neglect of a dependent child.
Those who willingly NEGLECT their children should not receive benefits; on the other hand, if the government is alleging neglect of the child, the government has a duty to investigate and pursue legal actions, including removing the child from the home.
Where am I going?
I spent few days in juvey, when I was a teengager; a scare tactic by my parents, when I skipped school and was caught.
I didn’t like it so much, I was like boot camp. I never did that again. lol. It really helps SOME kids and that in itself is better than we are doing now.
We know the parents aren’t parenting, but remember something —
THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO BE ANY OTHER PARENT!!!!
They are who they are!
Therefore, they can’t teach their kids concepts like “respect”, “education”, “order”,”protocol”, and “limits & constraints” — they may not possess those qualities themselves.
We must insist that our government, corporate america reconsider all the money they DUMP into Indiana Black Expo each year, the benefits DON’T add up to the millions of our tax dollars they get each year. This money could be be used in more direct, year-round progams that that have a history of measureable success, such as Boys & Girls Scouts. IBE has monopolyzed the money that could be better used to sponsor these kids so they could develop character and proper social behavior by giving them the opportunities to interact outside their limited sphere. These kids need opportunities for development that don’t rely on mom or dad. They need Boys & Girl Scouts, Little league baseball, Gymnastics, track & field. The parents are NOT getting kids involved — this should be ONE requirement in order to receive benefits. Sure, it’ll affect black disproportionately, but, that proportion can’t be our goal when the baseline shows our race at the bottom. You can’t gain proportion without creating ‘special’ rules to bring the blacks up the ladder.
We often allow our suggestions to be squelched by allowing the disproportionate argument when it comes to the black race and attempting to modify mass deviant and dysfunctional behaviors.
There is a compelling governmental interests in targeting behavior that plagues the black communities across america. WE NEED SPECIAL RULES that are tied to ANY welfare or relief support from our tax dollars.
“Right on Trustee Mike Hobbs for your decision to withhold relief for those who neglect their children by failing to make sure they attend school!” Prepare for a big fight though, but you’ll have a lot of support if you just reach out.
We’ll be there!
July 24th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Hold the parents responsible for the kids! TREMENDOUS! My dad would be laughing this is how he was raised and he knows no other way to raise kids! Of course he’s only 86 young.
I once again posted this on (copied and pasted) from Advance Indiana. Gary is a bit more manic about his blog then Abdul so there’s a lot more to comment about! :) ) Abdul’s blog has a lot more humor which I like! Now if you guys can just make up and put links to each other blogs! Come on kids make up!
July 24th, 2008 at 12:43 am
Moneyguy – enough about Gary already. You don’t need to give him credit for YOUR comments, or let us know you also commented on his blog…we don’t really care! (no offense to you)
July 24th, 2008 at 2:02 am
I didn’t say kiss and make up! VBG Put down the gun Jerry! It’s just humor! VBG
July 24th, 2008 at 3:44 am
“While I hate the idea, maybe we are at a point where we have to have large institutional housing for children who are unfortunate enough to be born into such terrible situations.” — Greg, Post #3
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“I agree with the withholding of government assistance from people that are not willing to help themselves and are enable the next generation,…” — Bible Sense, Post #6
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“…I also agree poor relief should be withheld for these loser parents. However, I will argue that this SHOULD BE common practice.” — Jerry, Post #9
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“Lawrence Township Trustee Mike Hobbes is announcing today that his office will withhold poor relief for any family whose children have not attended school. I like the idea, why should the taxpayers fork over their hard earned money so a bunch of people can sit around and watch television all day?” — Concerned Taxpayer & Citizen, Post #11
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“Did anyone actually listen to Hobbs on the radio this morning? He isn’t withholding ANYTHING. He actually said that they would still get the assistance needed. How the hell is that withholding poor relief? Hobbs, quit politicing and do the RIGHT thing.” — StatlernWaldorf, Post #23
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FINALLY !!!!! Someone other than ME seems to recall that radio interview. Thanks, Statler! I was going to post a similar rebuttal, but there are already 31 posts here. Yes, it’s pure BS about “withholding money”, when the Trustee is still paying rent, mortgage, utilities, groceries, etc. What’s annoying is that he wasn’t called out on this BS while on-air!
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I say we build inexpensive Quonset Huts for these truant kids. One ‘Hut’ per class subject — and only REAL subjects taught: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, American History, Citizenship, and of course, the U.S. and Indiana Constitution . The remainder of the day consumed in boot camp-like physical training, etc.
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As for the welfare parent(s) — boot their lazy butt out of their TPF (tax payer funded) ‘homes’, and put them into Quonset huts also — one hut per family. Bathrooms and showers? No prob! Build a communal Hut for MALE and FEMALE, for toilets and showers.
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If it’s good enough for our troops, it’s good enough for those who have “claims upon the sympathies and aid of society.”
July 24th, 2008 at 5:18 am
Response to Iroc:
Remember – How many of these families were affected by the tornado in the area a month ago? They lost everything. Many of the citizens are in temporary housing at present and do not have a permanent home yet.
Again, this situation has nothing to do with Indiana Black Expo. The governemnt can not discriminate when allocating our tax dollars.
July 24th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Angry, as was stated on the radio yesterday there was not 50% of students affected by the tornado, yet 50% of JMHS didn’t show up. It has NOTHING to do with the tornado. Quit making excuses anyway.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Can we all take a deep breath?
SOME students’ families were affected by weather-related tragedies.
SOME absent students were probably trouble-makers at IBE, last week and in the past.
But when 400-plus students don’t show, it cuts across lots of demographic groups.
No one is “making excuses.” People are pointing out the possible reasons SOME students might not attend.
A chunk of the absent students is likely attirbuted to the high mobility of students, and thus the school’s record-keeping is behind. Through no fault of the school’s. And if you think this doesn’t happen, think twice. And it’s not a problem confined to IPS. In one suburban school district, a particular elementary’s student body changes by almost 40% from August to May. Move outs, move ins…it’s tremendously difficult for a teacher to assimilate that many new students. JMMS undoubtedly faces the same problem.
The overwhelming majority of the asbent students could likely be attirbuted to no-attentive parents. And that’s new?
July 24th, 2008 at 10:43 am
First off, hats off to Trustee Hobbs in taking a stand on the attendance and assistance program. He may be committing political suicide, but what is a man without his principles??
I understand that several students were displaced from the tornado earlier in the spring, and I understand that JMMS is extending the school year because of failure to meet certain criteria, but parents knew that school started earlier.
I don’t really care what demographic the students that aren’t attending are, they’re being truant. Anyone can be a baby momma/daddy, but it takes a real man/woman to be a parent.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:09 am
on the contrary, jerry (hey, that rhymes) I despise most forms of political correctness. that being said, there is a fine line between not being politically correct and being racist.
mabye you would be so kind as to examine with me the term “wigger”
#1. white-no problem there
#2. n*gger-hmmmm–bit of a problem there–it’s a racist term. period.
does wanna be not work any more? I still say it, but then again, I’m only in my early 20′s so I might be a bit out of touch by now…
July 24th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Well I’m in my early 30′s so I must be really out of touch, but I would never use the n word as I am white. I have never said that word out loud, ever. Black people can use it and do so without getting in trouble. (Well except Jessie Jackson on Fox News, ha) So why can’t I use the “w” word about my own race? In my lifetime, it has been regarded as a funny term to describe the humerous white kids that wanna be black – not mean, hateful or anything else pertaining to racism. regardless, this is about crime so I’m done with this stupid argument. I still say get over yourselves.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Here is an interesting skit from Chris Rock on this very topic raised by WOW on 24 July, post #37, and well-rebutted by Jerry at post #38:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpUSElgJcyI
July 24th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Robert & Greg- Thx for pointing out that institutional housing is a moral, fiscal, and societal step-up from single mom new births and a check suppossedly constituting “parenting”.