Parents tend to think their (our) little darlings could never break bad and turn to the Dark Side. Sure, they might do something stupid if they run with the wrong crowd, but our little rascals could never face charges of terroristic threats and acts. Right?
Do yourself a favor and read how one night changed the lives of kids in our community around Lake Lanier.
Here is the complete, unedited report from our pal, Gwinnett County Police Department Public Information Officer Cpl. Michele Pihera on Tuesday, June 2, 2015:
On Monday, June 1, at around 9:30pm, one of our Gwinnett County Police Officers was traveling on Ronald Reagan Parkway heading into work for his morning watch shift. He was traveling westbound (toward Duluth) just past Webb Gin House Road when he saw an object hanging across the roadway. As he was slowing down, he noticed an object being thrown at his vehicle. He applied his brakes and steered to the left, but the object struck his hood and headlight.
When the officer (who was not injured) exited his patrol car, he observed the damage to his vehicle and saw that a piece of wood was in the headlight. Duct tape was seen stretched across the center guardrail next to several large pieces of wood. He was met by other officers who then began searching for the people responsible for this crime. The officers followed the sounds of people running away toward a neighborhood.
Dew covered many lawns in the neighborhood that backs up to Ronald Reagan Parkway. The officers noticed footprints leading to a home in the neighborhood. The officer made contact with a homeowner who stated that his son had some friends over for the evening. The officers made contact with the juveniles (all age 16). The juveniles (along with their respective parents) made statements about the incident.
The juveniles had the intention of watching as vehicles rolled over duct tape. As the officer was approaching the duct tape, one juvenile picked up a log and threw it at the vehicle. (It’s unclear at this time whether the patrol car was the intended target because it was a police car or if the juvenile intended to throw it at any passing car.)
Four juveniles were charged with Terroristic Threats and Acts (felony) and released to their parents. The juvenile who threw the log was charged with Aggravated Assault (felony), Terroristic Threats and Acts (felony), and Interference with Government Property (misdemeanor). He was admitted to a youth detention facility.
The officer took his vehicle to our maintenance department where the headlight was replaced and the vehicle was returned to service.
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Sharing this story with good young people in your world might do them a world of good.
