Kids deserve better...

Example #1:

On February 21, Detective Robert J. Wright of the GPD Major Crimes Unit charged a 14 year old boy with one count each of AWDWIKISI, Armed Robbery and Aid & Abet Larceny of a Motor Vehicle in this case.  The juvenile was already in custody for unrelated charges.  This investigation continues and additional arrest(s) are expected.

Example #2:

Detectives from the Special Victims Unit and the GPD Gang Unit obtained and served a secured custody order (juvenile arrest warrant)  against the boy and he was confined at the Pitt County Juvenile Detention Center.   He is charged with Discharging a Firearm into Occupied Property, Possession of a Handgun by a minor, and Possession of a Firearm with the Serial Number Removed/Altered.

This past Sunday, the Daily Reflector weighed in on these 2 cases with an editorial:

Web Link:  Editorial: Sunday February 24, 2013

The editorial was much appreciated and hit the topic square on: The Police Department and all its resources,  the schools, the churches, volunteers, and mentors are no match for a lack of parenting.    Where are the parents?  Not just in these cases, but in more and more cases?

The sad fact is, many people take better care of their cars and pets than their loved ones.  There are countless books and videos and workshops geared to training a puppy.  A person could read one of these books, watch one of these videos, or attend one of these workshops, and learn the same basic skills that are needed to raise a child.  The principles are the same:  consistency, repetition, positive reinforcement, discipline, and love.   Training a puppy begins at the age of 7 weeks.  Training a child begins within the first 6 months.  There's not much difference in the development.

There never was a dog that didn't deserve better than what it received from its owner.  Don't kids deserve the same kind of attention?