AUSTRALIA
'Where did we go wrong?' dad asks
The father of a teenager facing court over a string of costly vandalism attacks said he was disgusted at the lack of respect shown by today's youth.
His son, 17, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly using a rock to etch his tag into five Nelson Bay shop fronts, causing about $8000 worth of damage. The teen's father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said a culture of rebellion meant many youths did not care about the cost or heartache graffiti was inflicting on the Hunter.
"What has happened to the teenagers of today, where did we go wrong," he said. "It makes you feel like you've failed as a parent; you try and provide a safe and caring environment for your children but this is what turns out. He's my son, despite what he has done, despite everything, but I'm furious at what he has done, I've thrown my hands up at the whole thing." Most shocking, he said, was that the youth had shown little sign of remorse for his actions. "Truthfully, I do not think he gets what he has done, I don't think he could care less that he's in trouble," he said.
The teen is accused of going on a graffiti spree through Nelson Bay at the start of the month by using a rock to etch his tag into expensive glass windows along the town's main street. Police estimated shopkeepers were looking at close to $1000 to fix each window.
The teenager was arrested on October 19 following a two-week investigation by Port Stephens police who were finally able to pinpoint the alleged culprit using closed circuit television footage that captured the vandalism. He was charged with five counts of malicious damage and his family is worried he may be looking at time in a juvenile detention facility.
They also fear time spent inside would turn him into a hardened criminal rather than rehabilitating him. His father said he felt "completely numb" when police turned up on his doorstep to tell him his son had been arrested over the graffiti. "I was in total disbelief, how could this be my son? He has to understand what he is putting his mother and me through but I think that he doesn't comprehend and that is what hurts us the most."
The teen's father said he was active in several community groups and worried how the alleged incident would reflect on him and his family.
His son had previously been caught spray painting Nelson Bay shops and his father said he hoped the teen received "a good kick up the bum" rather then being let off with "a slap on the wrist" as part of the Young Offenders Act.
A 15-year-old caught earlier this month for allegedly painting his tag on 24 Nelson Bay shops was allowed to go free after apologising to the victims.
The teenager will reappear in Newcastle Local Court on November 19.
Tyron Butson
30 October 2008
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/where-did-we-go-wrong-dad-asks/1348063.aspx
