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Arrested For a Food Fight?!

Archive: 30 posts


http://talkleft.com/10yroldarrest.jpg
http://www1.whdh.com/images/news_articles/389x205/081017_boy_arrested_

CHICAGO ? The food fight here started the way such bouts do in school lunchrooms most anywhere: an apple was tossed, a cookie turned into a torpedo, and an orange plunked someone in the head. Within minutes, dozens of Elemetary-school students had joined in the ruckus, and spattered kids were ducking for cover.
By the end of the day, 25 of the students, ages 6 to 11, had been rounded up, arrested, taken from school and put in jail. A spokesman for the Chicago police said the charges were reckless conduct, a misdemeanor.
That was last Thursday afternoon. Now parents are questioning what seem to them like the criminalization of age-old adolescent pranks, and the lasting legal and psychological impact of the arrests.
?My children have to appear in court,? Erica Russell, the mother of two 5th-grade girls who spent eight hours in jail, said Tuesday. ?They were handcuffed, slammed in a wagon, had their mug shots taken and treated like real criminals.?
?They?re all scared,? Ms. Russell said of the two dozen arrested students. ?You never know how children will be impacted by that. I was all for some other kind of punishment, but not jail. Who hasn?t had a food fight??
The students were released into the custody of their parents on Thursday night, the police said. They were also suspended for two days by the school, the Elementary-school campus of Perspectives Charter Schools, in the Gresham neighborhood on the South Side.
Diana Shulla-Cose, president and co-founder of Perspectives Schools, said that an on-campus police officer had called for backup as the food fight escalated and that the resulting heavy police presence had led in turn to the large number of arrests.
Ms. Shulla-Cose described the entire episode as ?unfortunate? and added, ?We don't take this lightly.?
She also said the school was working individually with the families of students who were arrested to support them through a difficult time, and through the process of getting the youths back to classes.
School officials met with parents on Tuesday to explain the events from their point of view. But some parents questioned what they saw as the random nature of the arrests.
?My daughter said someone threw an apple at her, so she retaliated,? Shirlanda Sivels said. ?I said, ?Why didn?t they grab you, too?? She said, ?I don't know.? She didn?t feel good about it, seeing her friends taken away.?
If the charges are not thrown out when the students go before a judge this month, criminal justice experts said, the accused will most likely be sentenced to community service or probation. Since they are juveniles, their records would remain confidential until adulthood ? 17 under Illinois law ? at which point the arrests would be expunged.

Loltastic.
2009-11-12 05:46:00

Author:
ChristmasJew
Posts: 431


Lol. reminds me of the girl who was hogtied for playing hookie. This stuff is outrageous 2009-11-12 05:52:00

Author:
Incinerator22
Posts: 3251


TBH, I don't really see what's wrong with this. It's certainly over the top, but seeing as a police officer had to call in back up - i.e. the presense of a police officer was not enough to get them to stop, maybe it is reasonable. If I were doing that in a public place with innocent bystanders and the police had to call in back up to control the situation, I'd not be supurised if I were arrested. So why different in schools?

As for the psychological damage... lol. What would that entail, that the kids might remember this and think twice before misbehaving again! Sounds like a win for the parents to me

But yeah, it's pretty funny nonetheless
2009-11-12 10:26:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497


Actions have consequences.

Also I always thought food fights only existed in tv land.
2009-11-12 10:39:00

Author:
Rabid-Coot
Posts: 6728


I'd have to agree with rtm on this one. He covered almost everything. Although... what the heck is wrong with these parents? They are completely missing the point that their kids are out-of-line - distributing blame, much?

...and, oh no! They were "slammed in a wagon"? Give me a break. They were probably so scared they didn't need to be told what do to. As for anything lasting, the charges won't ever stay on their permanent record, what with being 11 and all.
2009-11-12 12:31:00

Author:
comphermc
Posts: 5338


lol thois is funy2009-11-12 12:57:00

Author:
lbpholic
Posts: 1304


Man, kids know how to party these days huh?
I'm with Rtm and Comph. Definitely some hardcore punishment, but it's not like they threw tear gas in. I grew up in a pretty heavy gang oriented school, and I know little brothers and sisters like to imitate. I can see why it was necessary, the pictures looked absurd to me though lol. Also I bet those kids aren't going to do a thing to make the teachers think they are going to fling food. And I doubt they will be making fun of the cop. I know that sounds crazy, just thinking of how my elementary was, and it is Chicago. No offense to anyone who lives there, I think the city looks beautiful (not the driving).
2009-11-12 13:38:00

Author:
thefrozenpenquin
Posts: 479


So... I assume since police have the time to go after children for a food fight, that every major crime in the Chicago area has been taken care of right?

I mean it's not like they had any other alternatives, such as calling the children's parents, that would have avoided pointlessly wasting taxpayer money right?

Now, to be fair, we don't know all the details. For all we know the children may have started throwing around plastic knives, which could be considered as "bladed weapons" under the zero-intelligence... I mean zero-tolerance policies. But I have serious reservations about encouraging police action in elementary schools where hiring more educators and supervisors could have sufficed.

Maybe the police should change their motto : "To protect and serve and discipline rowdy children"
2009-11-12 13:46:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536


For all we know the children may have started throwing around plastic knives, which could be considered as "bladed weapons"
TBH, I'm pretty sure a well-aimed, high velocity Granny Smith could break a nose or knock out someone's teeth


would have avoided pointlessly wasting taxpayer money right? ... I have serious reservations about encouraging police action in elementary schools where hiring more educators and supervisors could have sufficed.

Are the schools not funded by taxpayer money as well though? Plus, putting the fear of arrest into them at a young age and I'm sure they are less likely to offend later in life. Think of it as an investment in future Law and Order

I do wonder if this has anything to do with diminished powers that teachers have when dealing with rowdy young'uns. It could be a significant factor (though I don't know what the situation is in America / individual states)
2009-11-12 14:01:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497


TBH, I'm pretty sure a well-aimed, high velocity Granny Smith could break a nose or knock out someone's teeth


Haha, very true! In fact, I remember a time when I was at lunch and a friend of mine belted another in the leg with an apple (the exact brand unknown). My friend that was hit went down hard. Thankfully he was ok, just a bump on the head from the fall, but he had a gigantic bruise on his leg. If he would have been hit in the face... man... I don't even want to think about it.
2009-11-12 14:16:00

Author:
mrsupercomputer
Posts: 1335


I have serious reservations about encouraging police action in elementary schools where hiring more educators and supervisors could have sufficed.

Maybe the police should change their motto : "To protect and serve and discipline rowdy children"

I think we have to assume that there was police presence already at the school. Many schools nowadays have at least one officer permanently stationed on campus. If said officer was unable to control the pseudo-riot, then he would have no option but to call in additional help. As rtm stated, there are probably rules preventing the school staff from physically intervening.

In that sense, I'm not sure what else the officer could have done, outside of accepting the challenge: (How Many Fifth Graders Can You Beat Up? (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=how+many+fifth+graders+can+you+beat+up&aq=0&oq=how+many+fifth&aqi=g10))
2009-11-12 14:30:00

Author:
comphermc
Posts: 5338


I think we have to assume that there was police presence already at the school.

No need to assume:


an on-campus police officer had called for backup as the food fight escalated and that the resulting heavy police presence had led in turn to the large number of arrests.
2009-11-12 14:37:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497


Yeah, yeah. I read the article several hours ago, but just now got around to responding. Still, what else would he have done? (I think we agree on this, but still)2009-11-12 14:39:00

Author:
comphermc
Posts: 5338


Brilliant!


I think we have to assume that there was police presence already at the school. Many schools nowadays have at least one officer permanently stationed on campus.

Is that really necessary?
2009-11-12 14:39:00

Author:
Syroc
Posts: 3193


TBH, I don't really see what's wrong with this. It's certainly over the top, but seeing as a police officer had to call in back up - i.e. the presense of a police officer was not enough to get them to stop, maybe it is reasonable. If I were doing that in a public place with innocent bystanders and the police had to call in back up to control the situation, I'd not be supurised if I were arrested. So why different in schools?

As for the psychological damage... lol. What would that entail, that the kids might remember this and think twice before misbehaving again! Sounds like a win for the parents to me

But yeah, it's pretty funny nonetheless

I agree. It seems over the top, but when I was a kid the teacher yelling at us was more than enough to put a stop to the event no matter what was going on.

Usually when you have to get police involved (i.e. not the campus cop), anyone who is rude, belligerent and failing to cooperate, poof... you get a not so comfy ride in the back seat of a squad car to the cold place.
2009-11-12 14:41:00

Author:
jwwphotos
Posts: 11383


Oh I'm not arguing that a food fight is not potentially dangerous (though I've never witnessed one myself), but whether it's really reasonable to have the police start getting involved. AFAIK, the police are paid much better wages than elementary school staff.

Now where do we sign to have police start arresting children for not following the "no speaking" rule in libraries and "no cellphone" rule in theaters?


I do wonder if this has anything to do with diminished powers that teachers have when dealing with rowdy young'uns. It could be a significant factor (though I don't know what the situation is in America / individual states)I wouldn't be surprised at all. It is a fact that the United States are a sue-happy nation. Add in poorly drafted laws and "think of the children" lobbying and you have quite a mess on your hands.

And yes, a police presence is unfortunately necessary in elementary schools in the U.S., because there are *actual* crimes that happen there and need to be prevented.
2009-11-12 14:48:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536


Oh I'm not arguing that a food fight is not potentially dangerous (though I've never witnessed one myself)

OK, who has actually seen a proper food fight during their time at school? The article talks like this is totally normal behaviour...
2009-11-12 14:54:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497


o/

During an exchange in France I ended up in one. Weapon of choice was the tangerine of death.
2009-11-12 14:56:00

Author:
Syroc
Posts: 3193


hmm dont these cops have better way to spend there time. i hope some of the parents involved are lawyers, and end up costing the police force and city some money.

lets see 25 students. File for 25 seperate jury trial, tying up this stupid towns courts for a little while. What jury is going to convict a kid for a food fight? After aquital ask the judge for the police department for reimbursments.

the problem with the police making stupid arrest, is people just ussually let them and pay a small fine. And why are people always content to let the judge decide some small matters when they can get a jury?
2009-11-12 15:14:00

Author:
deboerdave
Posts: 384


I don't ever remember having a food fight like this in school, or even HEARING about it happening. Probably a good thing to set an example so it doesn't happen again.

And as a bonus, the parents can get the mug shots and save on the school pictures....
2009-11-12 15:25:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430


Haha, very true! In fact, I remember a time when I was at lunch and a friend of mine belted another in the leg with an apple (the exact brand unknown). My friend that was hit went down hard. Thankfully he was ok, just a bump on the head from the fall, but he had a gigantic bruise on his leg. If he would have been hit in the face... man... I don't even want to think about it.
"Local student killed after being hit in the head with an apple."

Now that would be a headline for the ages.
2009-11-12 19:08:00

Author:
ChristmasJew
Posts: 431


Actions have consequences.

Also I always thought food fights only existed in tv land.

Me too. I've never witnessed a food fight, just ****** bags trying to start one.


I'd have to agree with rtm on this one. He covered almost everything. Although... what the heck is wrong with these parents? They are completely missing the point that their kids are out-of-line - distributing blame, much?

...and, oh no! They were "slammed in a wagon"? Give me a break. They were probably so scared they didn't need to be told what do to. As for anything lasting, the charges won't ever stay on their permanent record, what with being 11 and all.

Being arrested for throwing food is really retarded. Am I the only one who sees that? You should only be arrested if you commit a crime, like killing someone or stealing something or injuring somebody. If you start a food fight you should be sent to the principal's office. Next thing you know we'll start arresting kids for throwing paper airplanes during class or putting gum under desks.


OK, who has actually seen a proper food fight during their time at school? The article talks like this is totally normal behaviour...

You act like it's criminal behavior. I've never seen a kid shoot a spit ball out of a straw either but I know they shouldn't get arrested for it. I don't think the kid who threw the cookie crumb at lil' Johnny should get arrested.
2009-11-12 20:18:00

Author:
qrtda235566
Posts: 3664


You act like it's criminal behavior. I've never seen a kid shoot a spit ball out of a straw either but I know they shouldn't get arrested for it. I don't think the kid who threw the cookie crumb at lil' Johnny should get arrested.
I remember in my middle school we had wasps banned from our school.

What are wasps you ask?

Well all they simply were, were paper folded to easily bend over a rubber band, making it able to stretch and shoot easily, like a bow and arrow. They were easy to make, and we could shoot them with very fast speed and accuracy.

Why they were called wasps? I have no effing' clue.

I don't remember anyone getting injured but it was a pretty big thing that everyone did. All of a sudden there was an announcement that anyone caught shooting a wasp would be suspended. It was a sad day.
2009-11-12 20:45:00

Author:
ChristmasJew
Posts: 431


although this seems a bit over the top them all getting arrested for a food fight but isnt this a step in the right direction? saying that noone gets special treatment, im sick of celebritys getting away with really terrible stuff and getting a lesser treatment than everyone else, like in the case of those two teenagers who kidnapped and tortured a 6 year old boy, if we can catch misbehaviour and show them what its like then surely it will be a safer future2009-11-12 20:45:00

Author:
Kern
Posts: 5078


@awesomemans, I never acted like that - in fact I said arresting them was over the top. Methinks you didn't really bother to read my words...

Anyways, what is your solution to 30+ school kids throwing stuff around (regardless of what it is) and not stopping with teachers and a police officer attempting to stop them?
2009-11-12 21:24:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497


@awesomemans, I never acted like that - in fact I said arresting them was over the top. Methinks you didn't really bother to read my words...

Anyways, what is your solution to 30+ school kids throwing stuff around (regardless of what it is) and not stopping with teachers and a police officer attempting to stop them?

Regardless of what it is? I think what they're throwing is pretty important. Throw an sandwich, it's no big deal. Throw a knife, and that's a whole different story. Anyway, I think they should have had to clean up the cafeteria and do a whole bunch of other janitorial duties for the rest of the month.
2009-11-12 22:39:00

Author:
qrtda235566
Posts: 3664


Kids are different these days.
I can remember just seeing the Principal walk into the cafeteria and cross his arms (not to mention he could scratch his knees without bending over) caused the whole cafeteria to go silent.

I think alot of it has to do with "helicopter parents." Parents that hover over their kids. Rather than allowing the kids to experience the consequences of their actions they are the first to step between their children and the school authorities to protest the school not being fair to their child. Kids think they can get away with murder. Their respect for authority is nothing like I was raised to have. School faculties hands have been tied... when kids get out of control calling the police is their only option.

A prof in college once told me he had a parent come to have a conference with him because her son recieved a C on a paper. It made no sense to the parent that their kid should be penalized for turning a paper in a week and a half late. When I was in college the prof would have given me an F. What ever happened to cutting the apron strings?

When I was a kid I was on the two for one program. If I got paddled at school I'd get a second paddling at home for free from my parents. I think I and most of my generation turned out ok even though corporal punishment was allowed.

Sorry for the rant. I better go back to my rocking chair take a nitro pill and relax with a cup of Chamomile and a good crossword puzzle... not... I'm only 44.
2009-11-12 22:46:00

Author:
enodrawkcab
Posts: 238


Well, two kids at my school once deliberately tried to start a food fight, but got detention

Anyway, I don't get how you can say you don't see the problem with this. Nothing too radical, but handcuffing them like rapists and murderers and stuffing them in police cars? Having to get their pictures taken and spending hours in jail? To imagine being a ten year old having to sit with adult criminals for hours....

Not completely related, but I agree with Gilgamesh on the topic that Chicago police have much too much to do to be arresting children. It's not unheard of for drunkards with DUI's to be given tickets but nothing else, and yet these 10 year olds get full-blown criminal treatment?
2009-11-12 22:57:00

Author:
Incinerator22
Posts: 3251


Lol i am suprised i didnt see this on the news this morning. I mean it is pretty local to me too xD2009-11-12 23:01:00

Author:
Snrm
Posts: 6419


Wow.

There are constantly 10+ police officers at my school on every floor and that many people don't get arrested in months.
2009-11-12 23:13:00

Author:
TheMarvelousHat
Posts: 542


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