3:30 AM Prank

Crime Rate​

[6][10]​

1987​

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1989​

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1991​

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1993​

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1995​

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1997​

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1999​

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2001​

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2003​

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2005​

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2008​

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Violent crime rate
609.7
663.1
758.1
746.8
684.6
610.8
523.0
504.4
475.8
469.2
454.5
Homicide rate
8.3
8.7
9.8
9.5
8.2
6.8
5.7
5.6
5.7
5.6
5.4
Property crime rate
4,940
5,078
5,140
4,738
4,591
4,312
3,744
3,656
3,591
3,430
3,213

Crimes per 100,000 population

 

Sorry that didn't paste well. But I think you can still follow the columns. Crime rates were 60-80% higher when I was a teen than they are now.

 

Capricorn:

I think it comes down to parenting and the choices we make as parents.
What maybe an appropriate decision (curfews etc) for one parent may not be the same decision you would make.

IMHO - my kid needs me to be a parent, not his "friend".

 

Lilpea- I agree with you and I like your last comment as well. As for me, I strongly believe that the younger the child, there should be a curfew before dark if the parent is not going to be supervising the kids at all. Its just idiotic of the parent to NOT want to supervise kids after dark outside.

I'll say it one last time here before I give it a rest for good is...If something happened to the kid, I would do everything in my power to help the kid and I would have huge amounts of sympathy for the kid but if I find out that the parent KNOWINGLY and WILLFULLY let the kid out outside without any supervision, I will have ZERO sympathy for the parent due to their idiotic decison of letting the kid out at that late hour of the night. (That goes back to your WISE statement "My kid needs me to be a parent---not a "friend". My parents raised me by being a parent to me, not a friend and Im glad they did so because they cared alot about my safety.

That's it...Im going to let it go and I've said what I wanted to say and I stand by my opinions.

 

there have always been whackos and pervs. This is nothinh new

 

I was going to post something along these lines, but since you already put it very nicely, I am just going to quote your reply!

 

I'd be happy if we could get our kids out in the backyard during the day without one of us being there. No worries after dark, the bugs bite our kids easily so they don't like venturing out after dark.

 

For what it is worth, I checked out the sexual predator database in the Ashburn/Broadlands area and found quite a number living in the area...so that makes me more aware of where these pervs live....and that makes me more determined not to let my kids ever be alone in the evening by themselves since not as many people will be around them in the dark...I believe that during the day, more people are aware of others around them and more eyes are watching than at night.

 

Well, yeah - but aren't they all Eagles?

On a wide level crime rates are going down, but look locally. How many posts were made in this forum regarding night time vanadlism just this month? I don't know about the rest of you but I am getting a little tired of my morning routine now including a damage check and the night routine including an alarm test.

Also, folks, remember we are probably not talking about any kids/parents that post on or even read these forums- because that would mean they're responsible residents that take the time to see what is going on the community. Yes, sadly, that's an "us vs. them" statement, but it's true. Last year when I had to call the LCSD because of twerps harrassing girl child as she help take out the trash - at night - the Deputy's comment was along the lines of; "Oh yeah, those boys are from over there." {emph. mine}

And I own page 6.

 

Historically, vandalism takes a sharp uptake the first week that school's out and the last few weeks before it resumes...I don't think you will see a continuing upward trend - that is not to say it is not disturbing - but once school is back in session vandalism drops off quite a bit.

That said...please, please, please call the police if you see anything suspicious! We get frequent calls to the HOA office asking what "we" can do about vandalism, but when asked if the resident reported the incident to the police, they'll say, "Oh, I didn't think it was serious enough to call the police..." Patrols are increased when incidents are reported. Please call the non emergency number 703-777-1021 or 911 if an emergency situation exists

 

KAOS - I think because you have children above the age of 10 you have a far better viewpoint than the parents of TODDLERS here who are spouting their opinion about parents of teenagers.

That said, here's my opinion (not directed at anyone): I think most kids have been educated about the freaks that come out at night. If the kids travel in a safe little pack, let them grow! Let them assert their independence! Most kids in this neighborhood are great.

Anyone remember this story? http://www.nysun.com/editorials/why-i-let-my-9-year-old-ride-subway-alone

 

Well Said!

 

Wow. All I can say is wow. You abandon a 9 year old in the middle of NYC on purpose and you are applauded for that? I can't even begin to understand that.

 

I applaude her.

 

She didn't abandon him, she empowered him. Do I think it's crazy? Yes. Would I ever do it? Probably not. But she had the will and it turned out ok. Let's not think about the "what ifs".

 

Sure it turned out ok but are you really willing to literally bet your child's life on it? I mean seriously, is their life worth letting them do what ever they want to?

I think this article begs the question, "Why do we even have parents?" Why not just send the kids out into the world the minute they are born and empower them all.

I guess one parents empowerment is another's misdemeanor child endangerment.

 

Because our job as a parent is not all about protecting our kids. Our job is to teach them the lessons they need to protect themselves. If you trust the job you have done as a parent and you feel they have the lessons that they need you have to be willing to see how well you have done and evaluate what still needs to be taught.

This means starting to let go and give kids some independence to make decisions and yes possibly fail. But if as parents we spend all our time protecting them and not letting them use their own instincts and learn from making bad decision how when they hit 18 or what ever that magic number is will they know to trust themselves and not put themselves in a dangerous position.

It is not just the parents who have decided too early that they are done teaching that causes kids to act out and destroy property, but it is also those that try to protect their kids from everything only to have the kids rebel as they want that freedom (independence) but have no idea what to do with it.

Staci

 

You are absolutely right - it's called helicopter parenting - always hovering - one day your kids will go off to college and you won't be there every step of the way - they need to know how to handle any situation that comes along and make the right decision and sometimes, they may fall, but if you've raised them right, everything will be fine and they'll learn from it. Remember - it's parents job to raise their kids to become independant adults and go out into this world as confident adults.