Cops act to keep teens off streets
POLICE are seeking the help of parents in keeping teenagers below 17 off the streets at night – and out of trouble.
If they catch teens loitering in public places after 11pm, they will notify the parents, telling them what their child has been up to.
It is not meant to get the teens into trouble, but to ensure that they do not become easy prey for crooks out to steal or rob someone.
Keeping teenagers at home also means they will not be provoked into committing crimes themselves, by their friends or other teenagers.
The police have taken this controversial measure as more youths are turning to crime, as well as becoming victims.
They logged 36,704 offences last year, up 20% from the year before and the highest since 1998.
Youths – those aged below 19 – made up 22% of the total number of arrests, although they comprise just 15% of the population. The largest increases were crimes by, or against, youths.
For example, 136 teenagers had their belongings snatched last year, a jump of 68% from the 81 cases in 2004.
Police director of operations Senior Assistant Commissioner Aubeck Kam said the police wanted to help parents be aware of what their children were up to.
“Some parents may already know and be okay with their children hanging around, but others may think their children are out studying somewhere instead,” said SAC Kam.
Teenagers, however, decry the measure as a “nannying nuisance” and a restriction of their freedom. – The Straits Times / Asia News Network
Perhaps it might look as if I’m being authoritarian when I say that I really like this idea. Or perhaps I just think that while teenagers *think* they know what they are doing, they really can’t own up to the consequences of their actions half of the time. Besides, I hate to say this but teenagers in general do not have a very good track record when it comes to making decisions on their own – without consultation.
I don’t see this as “nannying nuisance” – besides, what are young people doing out LOITERING about in the middle of the night, especially on school nights? The keywords here are loitering and middle of the night NOT “window shopping”, “meeting some mates for a cuppa” or “in broad daylight”. I don’t really see how this can be restriction of their freedom unless of course, the police themselves are untrustworthy.
As the Chinese saying goes, why be afraid when you have nothing to hide?
“teenagers in general do not have a very good track record when it comes to making decisions on their own – without consultation.”
Neither do adults, frankly.;)
Sashi: Oh year hor. Missed that one out completely. I mean, look at the people who are members of the local town councils.
:)>- i don’t think i’ll have any problem with it because i seldom loiter around during the night. :-w then again, i dun see any freedom from this.:((
“…unless of course, the police themselves are untrustworthy.”
Enough said, don’t you think? /:)
Is mamaking considered as loitering-on-the-spot
It is after all usually past 11pm :d
Chengsim & S-Kay: I don’t think mamak-ing falls into the category of “loitering”. I see loitering more as aimless actions of movement, no purpose, and well, no direction.
Mamak-ing has a purpose: gossip with friends and drink cuppas!