An incident involving three boys and a flare-type device recently caused law enforcement and emergency personnel to report en masse to a quiet Frederiksted neighborhood, after receiving reports of an explosion. A thirteen year old is arrested for reporting false bomb threats. Virgin Islands Police Department statistics indicate that juvenile crime is on the rise, consistent with data reported nationally.

Parents, guardians and the community at large need to claim ownership of the rampant juvenile criminal activity that is threatening the stability of our Virgin Islands community. Let’s be real about the things that our young people are doing. Offenses committed by minors have crossed the line of kids having fun or kids being kids, into serious crimes. VIPD juvenile officers report that many juvenile offenders have a “don’t care attitude”, with seemingly no regard for the suffering of the victims, their own families or the penalties they will face.

Juvenile officers readily admit to being saddened, and often discouraged, by the repeat offenders they process. They will attest to the importance of parental involvement in deterring juvenile criminal activity – and in ensuring the safety of our community’s children. A study published in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found the well being of adolescents “rests in the strong feeling of being cared for by parents.” Similar studies link juveniles’ connectedness to family, school or work as factors for teenagers being less likely to engage in criminal behavior, including violence.

Are our children raising themselves? Many parents claim ignorance of their children’s activities, saying that today’s busy schedules and technological advances like e-mail and cell phones make it difficult for parents to keep tabs of every aspect of their children’s day. The question is: Can we afford not to?

Parents – do you know what is happening in your backyard? Do you know what is happening in your home?

Show Me Your Company

Do you know the company your children are keeping? Find out who your children’s friends are and where they live. Know who their parents are and how to reach them in the event of an emergency. What do your children and their friends do in their spare time? Where do they hang out?

Don’t Be A Stranger

Our children spend a significant portion of their day at school and outside of the controlled environment of your home. Consequently, your children’s teachers may have a better idea of any behavioral changes or developing problems. Establish a regular dialogue with your children’s teacher – become a familiar face and not just someone they see when there is a problem.

Did you Know

Do you know how much time your child spends on the computer? Who are they chatting online with? Does your child have an online profile? Now would be a good time to find out. Go online yourself and log on to popular sites like myspace.com, hi5.com and other social networking sites. MSNBC reports that sites like these have been used to threaten children, spread vicious rumors and may even give predators easy access to children. Establish guidelines for the use of computer equipment in your home. Also take some time to monitor your children’s online activities – it may not be as innocent as you think.

Be Consistent

Don’t be afraid to say no or enforce the rules of your own household. Be a consistent parent, one who is actively involved in your children’s lives all the time, and not just when there is a problem. Be a presence in your home and not a bystander.

In closing, the entire community must claim responsibility for the issue of juvenile crime. Whether as parents or in our roles as law enforcement officials or as the administrators who must proactively develop and fund after-school and summer programs designed to keep children off the streets and in worthwhile activities, we all play a part.