" I'm not advocating what these kids have done by any means, however, if there were something for the kids to do in this town it might help, The Roller Rink has been closed for the summer, the Theaters are 3 miles out of town and every Ball Diamond in this town has a lock on the gats. Why is that by the way, Charleston doesn't lock theirs, Sullivan doesn't lock theirs, Shelbyville doesn't lock thiers and Effingham doesn't lock theirs. Are only Mattoons kids bad? "

" I wonder if this group also responsible for going on persons property in mattoon and destroying things? Some are older and scared to call police fear of more retaliation from groups of teens. "

" Although the Mattoon Police Department is a vital and appreciated service within our community, I am baffled at the way individual situations are handled. It's funny that after months of person's truly vandalizing the park's facilities, open drug use, assaults, etc. that they would choose to arrest a small group of young kid's that were simply got out of hand on an afternoon following school. A good example of the kind of the real criminal activity that the police could not manage to apprehend were several older teens/adults using drugs in plain view of the public during bagel fest directly on the playground equipment, physical altercations where weapons were produced, use of alcohol amongst obvious underage drinkers & adults once again in full view of the public, reckless driving through the park, and dozens of other situations I am aware of. As a friend of the family of one of the children involved, I am fully aware of the details of what happened. This particular group of children were arrested, taken into custody, finger printed, detained for questioning and intergation on any other person's that might have vandalized the park in the past (???), as well as having their "mug shots" taken. All the children involved are academically focused students with no previous issues with police, and obviously not the leaders of the rash of criminal activities that have gone on the entire summer. Although the youth's involved were certianly in the wrong, the article is worded as if this particular group was responsible for the thousands of dollars of damage that has continued throughout the summer. To the police department; if your truly hoping the arrest of these particular group of kids will "end a rash of damage costing thousands of dollars this summer" I believe your thinking is gross inflation of your efforts. After watching a neighbor & her children be terrorized by an ex-husband who destroyed private property, assaulting the neighbor physically & verbally, being combative and verbally abusive to the police officer's on the scene, providing a public nuisance to the surrounding neighbors, and repeatedly violating a court administered restraining order for over 6 years and NOT ONCE being taken into custody, and now the situation with the children involved in this report, I have reservations on the priorities and/or judgement of some of our police officers. I also hope the extreme measures taken for the activity, and the children involved having to pay the price for those with more accountability will not cause a negative impression on the police department and officers as well. This kind of mis-management from those in authority can lead to resentment, producing future problems for both children and the community. All my respect and support goes out to some of our outstanding officers that serve our community, however I feel as if there are some serious lapses in the system in place. "

" Pumpkinseed-
When I read the article I didn't get the idea that this particular group of children was responsible for all of the vandalism to the park. But they were responsible for the vandalism that they did. I'm sorry the police haven't caught some of the other issues you point out, but these good, academically minded children broke the law. They made a bad decision and paid the price for that bad decision.
As for the Bagelfest comment - that is one reason I really don't attend the festival anymore. I used to enjoy it, and would love to take my children, but the last time we went I found it to be a little scary - so we skip it now. "

" Already the ill informed speculations concerning this group of young kids are starting, because, in my opinion the way the incident is portrayed in the article. These are not bad kids at all! I know these kids personally and all are involved in volunteerism, academic activities, etc. This "major bust" consisted of the kids doodling on a picnic table and exchanging nasty comments to one another. There was only one child that got out of control and damaged an item. I am in no way saying that children should not have face consequences for their actions, but it irks me that this group of very young kids may be facing criminal charges as well as the negative stigmatism & judgement for a minor mistake being portrayed for the more serious crimes of others. This has been going on the duration of the summer, and it is being portrayed as some big victory for the police department in fighting the cities "rash of criminal activties." The real criminal activity involved older teens and adults practicing illegal, dangerous and more destructive behavior than the acts that occured the Monday evening. If the police department had stepped up surveillance to end to the vandalism, why did they wait for a group of young kids behaving badly instead of targeting the more serious offenders activities that have been observed quite openly to the public? Hooray, the children master minds of the crime spree at last has been stopped and the park is free from the evil doers reaking havoc on our park's facilities and endangering the lives of the people of the city....ahem, excuse my sarcasm... "

" medic- There are only 2 fields out of the 15 fields in Mattoon (4 Boys, 4 Girls, 4 T-ball, Church, Lawson, and Grimes) That are locked up. Does Charleston, Effingham, Sullivan or Shelbyville even have fields as close as nice as Grimes or Lawson? No. Because these are locked up and protected from kids destroying them. There are 13 fields that they can play on and continually destroy. But the ball parks aren't the issue here. "

" Ya know medic57......I have to agree with you on somethings... However, it is a well known fact that, all pay for the actions of a few. Very unfortunate for the majority, but it is just a way of life.
Then there are people who wonder, why the restrooms are locked at Peterson Park...........THINK ABOUT IT!!!
It is a shame, but what else can be done? "

" Beaches-
Yes I totally agree with you. The kids did break the law and are definately paying the price. However, I feel the punishment doesn't fit the crime considering the age (which was 10 yrs old to 14 yrs old) and the minimal damage that was actually caused. Especially compared to the damage that has gone on all summer. That was the point I was trying to make is all. It is more than a shame when those in a position to handle these kind of situations pick and choose how much effort they want to exert and then make a big deal out of something by running an article about it when the root of the problem is not even close to being resolved. "

" Does Charleston, Effingham, Sullivan or Shelbyville even have fields as close as nice as Grimes or Lawson? No.

Anolte, haven't been to Charleston, Effingham or Sullivan lately, have you?

Strangely enough, the parks were never locked before Kurt Stretch was in charge. Even Mike Witwicki was upset about that. By the way, years ago, when the fields were not locked, there was no problem with vandalism them.

Charleston and Effingham also both have public skateboard parks with no vandalism problems, Mattoon says they can't do it because of the liability problem, so, we have liability problems and other cities don't. Strange, isn't it.

Still, what those kids really deserve is to be turned over to the Elmer Smith that I had in school, there wasn't much problem with language and vandalism around him. "

" PumpkinSeed wrote "However, I feel the punishment doesn't fit the crime considering the age (which was 10 yrs old to 14 yrs old)"

Where in the article does it say the punishment they are getting? And the article states it was ages 12 to 14, not 10 to 14.

I guess since you know these kids well as good kids, then they need to be let go with a shaking of the index finger and told "no, no, no, next time you'll be in trouble".

Apparently this was such a big deal that the public called in the incident.

Obviously you have sour grapes over the police dept., but these kids need to know they can't just be told don't do this again, they at least have to go through the process of...as you put it "arrested, taken into custody, finger printed, detained for questioning and intergation on any other person's that might have vandalized the park in the past (???), as well as having their "mug shots" taken."

I think this is a learning lesson for them. "

" mindboggle-
The ages of the children involved were 10-14. The ages listed in the article were indeed incorrect. That is why I noted it, to show that this was truly a group children.

"I guess since you know these kids well as good kids, then they need to be let go with a shaking of the index finger and told "no, no, no, next time you'll be in trouble".
-I never said that. If you read what I wrote, I make it quite clear that I feel the children should face consequences from the actions, but only THEIR actions which were minimal. I'm refering to the cost of damages (from the entire summer)the parents may be responsible for.

"I think this is a learning lesson for them"
-I think the lesson could have been learned just as well without being hauled in like criminally hardened adults. Their actions were nothing more than a similiar incident that could have occured at an elementary school. All the kids are very remorseful but also a little scared on why such extreme actions as a visit to the police department was neccessary. The kids look up to the officers and trust they will do the right thing, and this didn't feel right.

"Obviously you have sour grapes over the police dept"
Call it what you want-but the fact remains: when children see hypocrisy on the behalf of authority, it makes for resentment and the urge to rebel. "

" I wondered why no handicap parking for the bathrooms at Peterson Park, as many handicap enjoyed the Park. I wondered why bathrooms were locked but a few were smoking pot in bathrooms. It isn't good to be my age and get a buzz off the bathroom smoking. I suggested to others we should wear Depends BECAUSE no bathroom it could be problem.

In past I have seen couples engaging in mutual pleasures of xrated variety in the Park. I have seen people meeting at the Park, and driveoff with someone oher than spouses, as knew who were. AND these were grown adults. No wonder kids are so messed up. "

" Sounds like these kids should have been rounded up and driven home by the police with some time spent with each of their parents to conduct one of those *scared-straight* talks cops used to be able to do with kids this age.

As for this year's Bagelfest, my wife and I were standing next to two cops and two 5th Circuit judges who were conversing with each other. Suddenly, a guy walks right between all of us, taking a hit from a reefer and leaving a thick trail of the smell of burning leaves behind him. I asked one of the cops "Did you see that?" He shook his head, smiled, and answered: "Yeah, I did." And that was it.

As for the guy who violated the OP for 6 years without ever being arrested. Let me guess, the MPD said that since they didn't have a copy of the Court Order on file, they couldn't enforce it. Unfortunately, that happens all too frequently in Mattoon, even if you hand the cop your own personal copy of the court order.

Ask any old veteran (retired) cop from years ago and he'll tell you that they didn't need court orders back in the day. If some a-h was beating someone up, the cops would take him to the back alley and somehow convince him to never do it again. These days your only recourse is to spend $500 to visit an attorney again. It's quite a profitable money-making scheme the 5th Circuit and the attorneys have going for them. They're not solving many problems, but they do manage to generate a whole lot of billable hours for the local Perry Masons. "

" Although the method you mention may have worked - I'm not sure that police brutality is something that we want to endorse. "

" Not only does gringa probably support out military torturing our enemies, it looks like he wants the police to brutalize our kids too. I seem to recall him justifying torture when he was posting under of his other names, but I don't recall which one it was.

It sounds like he could use some professional help. "

" If this vandalism was done by a grown up,(someone older than 21), do you think it would show hypocrisy if they were hauled in and arrested? Or do you think that we shouldn't punish them because their kids might be frightened at seeing their parents get arrested for doing something like writing graffiti on walls at a park? Kids have been doing pranks for years. Many of them should have been caught and punished but weren't. I recall several years ago that some kids knocked over tombstones in a cemetery. I also recall reading in the news a few years ago, an incident where computer equipment was stolen from a school. I also recall going down 9th street and seeing a shopping cart sitting on the roof of Franklin School. If they're doing something they know is wrong, they have to be ready to take the consequences if they get caught. We can be the best parent possible, but face it, when a bunch of kids get together, they sometimes will get into mischief. I know my son got caught stealing a small item from a grocery store when he was in 6th grade. That whole school year, he got to wash bicycles and police cars at the police station. He also had to do his homework at the police station in front of the probation officer. That was the one year that he did his homework every single night without fussing. He has never forgotten it either. Even now, (he's 25). Hopefully these kids are going to learn a lesson from this. Sorry, I think they should be punished. "

" Good point, idclair. "

" these kids act out on the constant crime they see plaguing mattoon, mattoon is gang ridden and drug infested and these kids see it constantly, is that we want our children learning from? Clean up the town and the next generation will follow "

" What hypocrisy was exhibited by the police?

Did the police follow Illinois law in handling juveniles who have committed a crime?

Where were the police suppose to interview all those involved in the crime? How did the police at the time of their initial response know that none of these youth had never committed any other acts of vandalism? Do the police know for certain that none of these youth have not been involved in any other criminal acts? Just because a parent say so does not make it a fact.

I was mislead by my own children on a few occasions, of course they paid the consequences for it when the truth was learned. They now get that experience from their children and also administer appropriate punishment.

Sometimes as additional investigation is conducted, the youth are found to not have told their parents and the police the truth. That may not be the situation in this case, perhaps everyone of these youths has been completley truthful with the police and their parents. Hopefully that is the case in this matter.

However, it is opined only a minimal sentence will and should be imposed upon them if they plead guilty or are found guilty of the crimes for which they have been charged.

Public service and restitution appears appropriate in this matter if they have been truthful with the police. Perhaps picking up trash in the parks and washing police cars would serve them well. Of course that is in addition to cleaning up or repairing the damage they did in the park. They may find the police are not such bad people if they meet them under different circumstances.

However I opine the punishment should be age appropriate, one size does not fit all. "

" Ok, I'm going to state my opinion ONE MORE TIME, plain & simple, since people are STILL making comments as if they have not read what I wrote. If you don't get it this time-I give up...
1. I DO think the kids should face some sort of punishment; cleaning up, volunteering, etc. I DON'T think they should have been taken to the police department and had to go through booking procedures that took until late in the evening. The "crime" was not worth all the procedures.
2. The hypocrisy I was referring to was the example of watching my neighbor go through hell for 6 years from an adult repeatedly terrorizing her and her kids and property, and the police NEVER taking HIM into custody to be fingerprinted, photo taken, etc. NOT EVEN ONCE. Were talking serious criminal activity ranging from physical, verbal, etc abuse, property damage, threatning police, etc.
SO-to take the effort to arrest some kids for getting a little out of hand and running an article in the paper about it like some big victory IS RIDICULOUS
3. THIS incident was nothing even close to the examples you gave about youth crimes in the past within our community
4.idclaire-glad your son had his learning experience, I'm sure these kids will never forget their's and the way it was handled eithier.
ARE WE CLEAR WHERE I STAND NOW??? "

" I posted an alternate perspective that otherwise would have been unknown to the public if soley relying on the information in the newspaper article; I offered legitimate multiple example's of more serious criminal events and the fact that it would seem certian officers would rather pick & choose how they will enforce & follow Illinois laws; and I stated my opinion on how a big ole' public pat on the back is more than I can stomach (sorry). Again-I am not referring to all our officers, as some are doing an excellent job. Their are officers that possess the wisdom, motivation, and perhaps the courage(?)to determine what level of law enforced intervention is needed, or our community would be intolerable to some extent.
The comprehension of the point I'm making seems to be unabtainable for some, so I'm done.
To each his own...(opinion & level of accepting the truth for what it is, that is) "

" PumkinSeed...waaagh! "

" Pumpkinseed:

I found it interesting that you did not answer my questions. You essentially stated you believe the police should have not done anything and let the kids go home from the park after they had been caught committing criminal acts.

I also challange your statement that the police for 6 years did nothing when criminal acts were being committed against your neighbor. I suspect there were two sides to the story which you are not telling. If after a couple times the police failed to make an arrest or provide their report to the Coles County State's Attorney, why did your neighbor not sign a complaint herself against her former husband at the State's Attorney Office. Could it be the State's Attorney declined to prosecute based on the information in the police reports. Could it be that she refused to press charges when the police were called.

I also challange your statement that the police themselves were threatened for 6 years and never arrested the person.

As you say, you just believe the police should not have handled these juveniles in accordance with standard operating procedures for law enforcement agencies around the country. You don't believe the youth should have been interviewed or charged with a crime. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but you have provided no information that the police did not conduct themselves in a professional manner and not do what they are expected to do under the circumstances. "

" -mindboggle
waagh? Sorry tried to look that one up-have no idea what "waagh" means?

-steve senteney
"You essentially stated you believe the police should have not done anything and let the kids go home from the park after they had been caught committing criminal acts."
-Once again your reading skills are failing you.
"If after a couple times the police failed to make an arrest or provide their report to the Coles County State's Attorney, why did your neighbor not sign a complaint herself against her former husband at the State's Attorney Office."
-That is EXACTLY what happened; the State's Attorney declined to prosecute based on the information in the police reports, even though the woman, her children & neighbors give their statements on what happened. The officers arrived several times when it was in progress to witness themselves, along with aggresive behavior directed towards them, when they approached. The ex coming onto her property was in violation of the court order and considered a felony at that point. The police were shown the order, & witnessed the behavior. There were also numerous times where the offender left before the police arrived. She did repeatedly press charges but he was never taken into custody, that is a completely 100% true statement. A complaint was also filed with the chief of police. The woman felt helpless.
"I also challange your statement that the police themselves were threatened for 6 years and never arrested the person"
-As appauling as it was for everyone involved, NO they didn't arrest him. How self righteous of you to "challenge" or rather insinuate that eithier the information someone is relaying is eithier incorrect or untrue. It must be exhausting determining whether other person's beside yourself could possibly tell the truth without measuring up to your infinate wisdom on the subject at hand. It couldn't have been a terrible circumstance of the ball being dropped repeatedly-because no one has ever heard of such a thing, correct? You should try "Google" and research the hundreds of cases in the united states (and worldwide) where authorities did not follow through, even in repeated circumstances, and some having tragic endings.
"you just believe the police should not have handled these juveniles in accordance with standard operating procedures for law enforcement agencies around the country. You don't believe the youth should have been interviewed or charged with a crime"
-I have already exhausted my opinion concering that-not going to explain again.
"conduct themselves in a professional manner and not do what they are expected to do under the circumstances"
-YES with some officers they haven't when it comes more serious offenses involving others compared to this situation. "

" PumkinSeed:

Thank you for the information that the Coles County State's Attorney refused to prosecute the former spouse after reading the information from the witnesses contained in the many different police reports. I don't know of a single law enforcement agency that will arrest someone if the prosecutor will not prosecute them.

As I said, it appears there may have been two sides to the story. The police usually never make both parties happy in domestic disputs. Usually they make both parties unhappy. So it is a no win situation for them. It appears you believe the police are wrong for not arresting someone that the prosecutor will not prosecute.

I do challange your statement that the police for 6 years and I assume many calls were verbally threatened and never arrested the person. If perhaps this was one officer on one occasion, then I could believe it. But your posts would indicate this occurred several times and I therefore believe it can be assumed he threatended multiple police officers on multile times and none of them ever arrested him. I do question that statement. Were you present when these threats were made on the several occasions or have these comments only been told to you or were you present only one time?

Essentially, I opine you have misplaced your complaints against the multiple police officers when your complaints should be against the Coles County State's Attorney Office.

It is too bad the police department does not have a ride along program so you could observe what the police actually face on a day to day bases. Often the police want to do things that the law does not allow. Often the police may want to arrest someone, but know from past experience the prosecutor will not prosecute the case, so it is prudent to make no arrest. Would you arrest someone when you have reasonable reason to believe the prosecutor will not prosecute the case?

Do the police make mistakes, certainly. Officers are disciplined for their serious errors and prosecuted when they have committed crimes. That is as it should be, they should follow department policies and most certainly follow the law. Disciplinary records are not public information, so the public does not normally know what action has been taken against a officer. I have certainly made mistakes, hopefuly I learned from those mistakes. I could be in error in not believing some of your comments which are not supported with specific details. Without details and specifics, I still doubt that multiple officers on multiple times were threatened and none of them arrested the person.

I could be wrong, but you have not provided specific information at this time to change my opinion on the threats to multiple officers on multiple occasions and no arrest ever made.

I should add that I am very biased for the police but can be critical of the police when I believe they are wrong. Having investigated civil rights complaints against the police, I know first hand that false allegations are frequently made against them. But if the allegations can be proven, I strongly support prosecution of civil rights violations. "

" steve senteney-
"it is a no win situation for them. It appears you believe the police are wrong for not arresting someone that the prosecutor will not prosecute."

I will tell you who won-the ex. He was allowed FOR SIX YEARS to violate the rights of his ex-wife, children, neighbors, and the police officer's themselves. The police could have and should have arrested the ex immediately on site, the state's attorney's decision came later. Myself and the ENTIRE neighbor is in complete agreement and could back up every single thing I have said. And YES I was there every single time he violated. I heard, seen and was told the details as if it were happening directly to me, as our homes are extremely close as our families are close.
"It is too bad the police department does not have a ride along program so you could observe what the police actually face on a day to day bases"
-I don't need to. I am well aware of the stressful challenges the officer's face, as I have several friends in the mattoon & charleston department, as well as a relative in another state who is a police officer. Again-you have a problem sticking to the subject at hand.
"Without details and specifics, I still doubt that multiple officers on multiple times were threatened and none of them arrested the person"
-Your arrogance astounds me & probably others reading this. I have given more than enough details in the numerous posts I have submitted. I do not have to continue giving details of a past example to state my opinion towards THE SUBJECT AT HAND. I should be able post a completely true example without being called a liar, or insinuated that I am ignorant of the details I am giving.
"Would you arrest someone when you have reasonable reason to believe the prosecutor will not prosecute the case?"
-The state's attorney was an after thought. The situation required immediate and allowed intervention in which the officer's choose not to do. To support my opinion, I will state that their was ONE officer that was so disguisted at the ex's actions, and the trauma he was causing to his ex-wife and children, that he tried to do everything possible to find and arrest him, after the ex had fled. The ex lived out of town and his residence was unknown as he moved constantly. The ex also had an additional order of protection from a girlfriend in which he repeatedly violated as well.
"I could be wrong, but you have not provided specific information at this time to change my opinion on the threats to multiple officers on multiple occasions and no arrest ever made"
-It's really not my concern whether I have convinced you to change your opinion. I'm not posting my opinion to change your's anyway, I'm only responding to the facts of my opinion being questioned as untrue. Plenty of information has been given, more than neccessary actually. You are one person who chooses not to believe another person who you don't know and that's your right. I am one of MANY person's that know what I haved stated is absolutely true. Like I said previously-to each his own.
"I know first hand that false allegations are frequently made against them"
-Yes your are correct about that, and it is a shame. The officer's put their lives on the line to serve and protect and then to have face untrue accusations must be extremely frustrating. This is not one of those times.

"When I tell any truth, it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those that do."
-William Blake Quotes "

" PumkinSeed:

I believe we will just have to agree to disagree.

I don't believe this was every officer called to that locations first "rodeo" and therefore had no knowledge of what the State's Attorney will and will not prosecute. You already stated the State's Attorney would not prosecute after the reading the statements of the witnesses in the police report.

You make positive comments about some police officers which often is not done by those who are complaining about the actions of the police.

I opine our backgrounds just differ and our observations are certainly different. You have have posted a lot of information, but never specifics. I just wonder if your opinion of a threat to a officer may be different than that of the many officers whom you say was threatened by the ex husband. That may be the difference since you never posted specifically what was said to threaten the officers.

I also do not know what standard the State's Attorney offices uses for a threat against a police officer to be one that they will prosecute. Perhaps you know that information and you believe those many threats to the officers met that standard each time.

You were there and observed each time the police responded, so I don't believe you are going to change your opinion that the police should have arrested the ex-husband each time they were called to the residence.

If there was one officer who wanted to arrest the ex-husband, I wonder why he did not do so if he was one of the many officers threatened? Perhaps your friends who are Mattoon police officers can provide more information to you and explain the situation than I can. I certainly believe you are entitled to an explaination for the many crimes committed by the ex-husband that you witnessed. If it were me and I observed the many crimes you have posted about, I would certainly make inquiry why no arrest and no prosecution was ever taken. I would suggest talking to the officers involved first and then appropriate command officers if you are not satisfied with their response. "

" steve senteney-
Thank you so much for all your opinions. I merely wanted to state MY opinion on the article written involving six youths. I really wasn't interested in discussing any other issues.
God bless you Mr. Senteney, your exhausting! :) "

" PumpkinSeed:

Thanks! As I said, we must agree to disagree.

This forum provides everyone the opportunity to express themselves. Different views provide incite into the thinking of the community. Although I opine it is better when specifics rather than generalities are included in the posts when allegations are made against individuals, government agencies, organizations and companies which are derogatory or negative in nature. At least in my opinion our disagrement remained civil. "