Participant Input
Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council Outreach “Inquiry” Meeting
Lealman Neighborhood Family Center
4070 58th Ave N, St. Petersburg, Fl
August 25, 2005

 

Compiled by Outreach Committee

 

Baywalk Incident

Police/Youth Related  Issues (A)

Next Steps (Solutions)

Comments

13 year-old Arrested for Obstruction But He Was Cursing at Police- Real Reason? Police Are “Arrest Happy”

Lots of Police Creates Friction Between Youth (Childs Park/Baywalk)

“Cop Watch”  is an organization that will Video/Witness Police Behavior

Who Controls Police? Council, Mayor?

Police Presence Provoked Crowd. Police Were “Primed” eg Paddy wagon was already present

Police Harassment of Youth –(Story of Young Girl on Bench @ Williams Park)

JJCouncil Can Make Decision to Send Comments to Mayor

How Does Juvenile Justice Council Advocate for Youth Regarding Baywalk, etc.

Parents Were Not Called By Police; Poor Treatment; Police Van Had No AC.  Personal Property (Guitar) Unattended

Targeting Youth Not Limited to St Petersburg (Gulfport)

City  Council & Police Chiefs

Noise Ordinance Unconstitutional

Not Maintaining Peace, But Intimidating

Poor Treatment of Children by JDC Employees/Not Hiring Qualified Staff

Establish Monitoring Function of PCJJC- a Citizens Review Board to Pass onto Circuit Board, Police, DJJ, Inspector General, Parents and Youth

What is the next step – Attorney General? Etc.

3 of 6 arrested were kids

Good Staff Also in JDC- Not Seen as Much

Start at the Schools- Social Worker, Teachers, Voluntary Police-

Concern about use of Tasers and proliferation of their use by police

Heavy Handed, Unfair Enforcement of Baywalk Rules or their Own(the City)

Good “Must Report the Bad”

Free After School Programs, other Safe Places for kids to Speak out

There is no one to back up the kids

Atrocious Behavior by Police

Look at Positives &What changes are happening that are good.

Search for the Cure - Who Do We Need to Reach Within the Police

First Listen to the Children

 

No representation by probation at court

Find Ally Within Police Department to Change Police  Culture

What does this (PCJJC) organization do?

 

A child was arrested for not having G.E.D.

Use Grievance Procedure, Responsive and Respectful

 Be aware when business trumps free speech – understand the forces in play

 

Parents are not getting answers from JDC

Demand Accountability from Officials

 

 

 

Respect Youth’s Development Curve in Police Treatment

 

 

 

Contact Individual Council Members Understanding

 

 

 

Creating more opportunities for youth (and all)

 

 

 

Invite St. Pete mayor & police chief & Chief Coates to PCJJC meeting

 

 

 

Make all PCJJC meetings evening meetings

 

 

 

Get school credit for youth who attend meetings