Boys will be boys, but when it hurts someone or causes damage, it’s not play.
At least one personal injury is the result of fights among unsupervised youths with a 12-year-old getting his jaw fractured, Police Sgt. Ryan Walker said.
Police have investigated numerous incidents of criminal mischief, trespassing, fights, theft and vandalism involving a large group of unsupervised juveniles, mostly boys, ages 12 to 17, according to Walker.
Some of the incidents are “scheduled fights,” “boxing matches,” Walker said the boys claim. Others have been provoked fights.
Some of the perpetrators have been caught.
Some of the fights are videotaped by other youths on their cell phones. They have occurred at the Pea Ridge Cemetery, Pea Ridge City Park and the football field.
Vandalism ranges from a broken privacy fence, to damaged vehicles, graffiti, broken windows and personal items strewn from a porch of a residence. Thefts have been reported from Fred’s discount store, as well as several from residences, Walker said.
Some thefts are minor, such as cigarettes taken from the outside of a residence.
Residents report their doorbells being rung late at night and answering the door to find noone there.
Police have increased patrols and caught a young couple - a 16-year-old male and 17-year-old female - shortly after 3 p.m. Monday in the cemetery “snuggling.”
“I don’t know how they were already out of school,” Walker said. Soon after that, three young males and a female were seen in the cemetery. When police approached, they “took off running.”
Police recovered a back pack that belonged to a fifth grade youngster, Walker said. All were eventually found and they, and their parents, were warned about trespassing.
“Parents need to know where their children are and who their children’s friends are,” Walker said.
News, Pages 1 on 09/21/2011