ITEMS

Local youths properly taught right and wrong?

Local resident suggests youth playing pranks on local home owners may be related to the problem of St. Anne's trespassers who were not held accountable for their actions.

Local youths properly taught right and wrong?
To the editor:

After living here peacefully for over 30 years, for some unknown reason I suddenly find myself the victim of several consecutive nights of harassment and vandalism, including screaming and pounding on the house, outdoor planters upset and damaged, large boulders landing in the driveway, etc. While I have appreciated the quick and professional response of the authorities, I am somewhat baffled by being told by two different government and law enforcement officials that “Tuesday nights are the worst because that’s the night for scouting and other youth activities at the church.” Perhaps because I’m not of the local culture, the connection there escapes me, but what does seem clear is that there must be some parents out there unaware of what their kids are doing, and I appeal to them for help.

Another factor may be the unfortunate message, misinterpreted or not, that seems to have been sent by the recent events at St. Ann’s, that teen-agers can do anything they want without fear of any consequences or accountability. This is not fairly preparing teens for their future in the real world and is definitely a problem for the rest of us in the meantime.

Jerry Benbow
River Heights

Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives, FOLK COLL 32

Reproduction for publication, exhibition, web display or commercial use is only permissible with the consent of the USU Libraries Special Collections and Archives, phone (435) 797-2663.

Utah State University Folklore in the news collection, 1973-2012, FOLK COLL 32

http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv04849

St. Anne's Retreat

http://digital.lib.usu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p16944coll20/id/34

SCAFOLK032Bx003Fd07Item0028.pdf

Local youths properly taught right and wrong?

To the editor:
After living here peacefully for over 30 years, for some unknown reason I suddenly find myself the victim of several consecutive nights of harassment and vandalism, including screaming and pounding on the house, outdoor planters upset and damaged, large boulders landing in the driveway, etc. While I have appreciated the quick and professional response of the authorities, I am somewhat baffled by being told by two different government and law enforcement officials that “Tuesday nights are the worst because that’s the night for scouting and other youth activities at the church.” Perhaps because I’m not of the local culture, the connection there escapes me, but what does seem clear is that there must be some parents out there unaware of what their kids are doing, and I appeal to them for help.

Another factor may be the unfortunate message, misinterpreted or not, that seems to have been sent by the recent events at St. Ann’s, that teen-agers can do anything they want without fear of any consequences or accountability. This is not fairly preparing teens for their future in the real world and is definitely a problem for the rest of us in the meantime.

Jerry Benbow
River Heights