Oakland California is odd. Nine 12- through 17-year-olds arrested for a string of violent robberies in toney Oakland neighborhoods.

@TheHorse (205839)
Walnut Creek, California
May 26, 2023 9:35am CST
I haven't thoroughly researched it yet, but I heard on the news yesterday that nine 12- through 17-year-old juveniles were arrested for a string of approximately 100 strong-arm robberies in some of the nicer Oakland neighborhoods recently. Given that these are nice neighborhoods, and that race or SES of the perps was not mentioned, I am left to assume that even middle-class and upper middle-class white, Asian, Indian and black kids are now roving the streets, beating up old ladies and taking their jewelry, purses, and feelings of safety. The violence of the crimes makes me think they were doing it partly for the thrill. I have no solution for this problem. A part of me would like to see these kids locked up for life. But I remember being twelve. If a "cool 15-year-old had me do something, I might have done it. Can we hold a 12-year-old responsible for beating up an old lady? I invite your thoughts.
9 people like this
9 responses
Anna
@LadyDuck (458297)
• Switzerland
26 May
Yes, we can hold a 12 year old responsible for beating up an old lady. I think it's time to stop justify those young people. Of course I blame the families. My brother would have never done something like that.
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May
Nor would I. And I grew up in a tough urban neighborhood with some bad influences around. But I did have decent parents.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (458297)
• Switzerland
26 May
@TheHorse I do not think that putting them in jail helps, but something must be done to teach them that what they do is wrong.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May
@LadyDuck Something must be done to get them off the streets. But innocent civilians are helpless. Unless they have small caliber weapons and can shoot the little blighters.
2 people like this
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
27 May
The parents should be accountable. The child should have to appear before a judge and be placed under the watchful eye of the court and the parents.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 May
Many of these kids are being raised by single mothers or a grandma.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 May
@RubyHawk It's not an excuse.
1 person likes this
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
27 May
@TheHorse That happens a lot. My siblings and I were raised by our mother and we’re all law abiding, and so are all our kids, so that’s not an excuse.
1 person likes this
Amber
@AmbiePam (85541)
• United States
26 May
Of course you believe we can hold a 12 year old responsible for beating up an old lady. But can we then support beating the 12 year old up FOR beating up the old lady? By Jove, I believe we can.
1 person likes this
Amber
@AmbiePam (85541)
• United States
26 May
@TheHorse It would require changes to the hearts of millions of people, and I don't think millions of people are willing to make change.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May
@AmbiePam How would those hearts have to change?
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May
My dad used to say "give 'em bread and water" after a couple of Scotches. But in reality he was a bleeding heart Liberal. Are there any solutions out there?
1 person likes this
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (45498)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
26 May
Yes, definitely hold them responsible. That's part of the problem: kids know they can get away with just about anything without paying the consequences.
1 person likes this
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (45498)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
26 May
@TheHorse Exactly.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May
@BarBaraPrz So what are we to do?
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May
If they were adults, I'd want to lock them up for life. Beating up old ladies and taking their stuff is not OK. But given that they're kids, they'll be back out on the streets soon. For all I know these little goons are already back out on the streets.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
26 May
Of course we can hold a 12-year-old responsible for beating someone up. Old or not.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
26 May
@TheHorse So? Even little kids know better than to hurt people and rob them.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 May
@DaddyEvil If you were Czar, what would you do with these kids?
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May
But they're just children!
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (156271)
• United States
26 May
Peer pressure. It's a nasty thing; but if a 12-year-old beats up an old woman, he or she should be held accountable in some way even if it's just to learn a lesson. This is very scary. I hope one of them doesn't break into a home and get shot.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May
Well, some of these kids have been shooting at people. I hope others don't get shot either.
1 person likes this
divalounger
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
28 May
I suppose it depends on what you mean "hold responsible"--sending a 12-year-old to jail doesn't help, and often makes the situation worse. But should they face what they did and make amends and be required to act to better the community somehow? Yes. But then I am a bleeding-heart liberal who doesn't believe that jail helps.
1 person likes this
divalounger
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
28 May
@TheHorse I don't either. I have worked with pre-K kids that I knew are already so damaged that their futures were bleak.
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 May
I have worked with kids like this (but mostly younger, and not yet caught up in the mix) for decades. I still don't know what to do with the ones who have already committed themselves to lives of crime.
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (95261)
• Marion, Ohio
26 May
I think they need held responsible
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 May
I think so too. But my guess is these kids will be back out on the streets soon.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 May
Surely there is something wrong here. There are plenty of pranks to play without violently beating up people. I blame the parents but only to a small degree. Peer pressure can be pretty persuasive.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 May
I may do a bit more research on these crimes. Someone was shot the other day a block from where I used to work in Oakland.
1 person likes this