Thoughts On The 15 Year Old Who Vandalized The Cemetery

[Henry]

Hi All,

It is strange how incarcerating a 15 year old is the first thought some people have - There are other ways of punishing without exposing this youngster to other criminals.  My first thought when I heard this was that when I saw the photos of all the damage done were, "How could one 15 year old do all this damage?  Is it possible he is trying to take credit for something he didn't do just to get attention?

I am sure there are things he gets enjoyment out of doing that could be stopped and I am sure he could be up there working to help fix the damage and then get a job afterwards with the money going towards the cost of repair - I am sure they pay someone to mow and trim the cemetery - Might be a good idea for this young man to do this for nothing as payment towards the damage he has done.  Below are a few comments from readers of the Burlington Free Press on the subject:

 "This kid needs hard time in jail, without benefit of vaseline."

For vandalism? You want a 15 year old kid to do "hard time" in an adult correctional facility for VANDALISM? Get serious.

Wouldn't you rather see some form of punishment that would at least attempt to set things right? Make the kid repair the damage, apologize to the folks affected, make the parents pay for damages? You know... some form of punishment that at least repairs some of the physical and emotional damage he caused?

Besides, non-violent ciminal detention centers are pretty comfy these days. Kind of like spending a week at Raquet's Edge only (I hear) the food's actually better.

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:34 am

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 Both the juvenile perpetrator and his irresponsible parents need to bear the full cost of this. Further, this kid should be tried as an adult and used as an example to others who are stupid enough to do the same. Of course, the latter is based upon a presumption that our lenient, feely-good court system would mete out anything at all resembling justice. This kid needs hard time in jail, without benefit of vaseline.

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:29 am

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 String him up by his thumbs n'est pas, GMP? This is a sad story. This happens from time to time and it never stops bothering me. What was this kid thinking? I guess he wasn't. Beyond dumb.

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:22 am

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 Definately a call for actual PUNISHMENT...no more "milk and cookies" New Vermont justice for this punk.

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:17 am

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 Definately a call for actual PUNISHMENT...no more "milk and cookies" New Vermont justice for this punk.

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:16 am

There is also an Editorial In The Burlington Free Press at:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071114/OPINION/711140322

[NorthFairfaxBoy]

My thought, is that he gets a job.  And the paycheck goes to pay for the repairs.  Give him an allowance from the check.  But, (and dare I say it) he'll get a liberal leaning judge or public defender and claim his drug abuse, home life is the problem, and he'll walk away with no repercussions!  Sad but true!