Romanticizing Goon Behavior

The latest craze sweeping across America is young black teens gathering in public spaces and engaging in thuggish behavior. These incidents are organized on social media. It enables for swarms of people to be notified where and when to quickly gather. This is something that was hard to do before the invent of communication technology. Previously, when word got out, police had time to respond. If law enforcement agencies were paying attention and had good intelligence capability, they could pre plan, marshall the resources and be able to appropriately respond and even disrupt the event in the preliminary stages.

These types of events are not new. In the past they were called “wildings” then “flash mobs.” Today however the media must have a cute reference as if to glorify public disorder. “Teen takeovers” they call them. This is public disorder at least and criminal offenses at best. These incidents are usually held in retail places. They are a burden to business owners who provide jobs while already struggling to keep the doors open and show a profit. These incidents frighten shoppers and consumers and dissuade them from frequenting the area. They inevitably turn into vicious fights. In addition, they are a drain on limited police resources. This costs money yet no one attaches an estimated dollar amount of money lost by businesses and the cost of government resources used to police these events. If we did, people would stop seeing this as a group of kids just looking to have fun or with nothing better to do.

What is even more startling to me are the responses from local politicians, community activists, and parents. I mentioned earlier that the organizers and participants are black teens. That was pointed out purposely. First because it is true and second because it speaks to an aspect of black culture. These incidents end up being video taped by people involved or bystanders. Look at the viral videos and see for yourself who is involved in this. I listened to politicians excusing the behavior. I heard people naming themselves as community activists saying that we need to provide more opportunities for young people. Media accounts report that these young people were on spring break looking for something to do. We did not hear from the parents of these marauders. That is telling.

Here are a few questions and observations I make while reading about this out-of-control unlawful behavior. It is all cultural. My first question is why aren’t white teens organizing these mods to take over public spaces in the suburbs? Is it because they have been better socialized by involved parents and therefore know this behavior is unacceptable? And as for offering more opportunities for young black people, I will ask why it is government’s responsibility to provide things for young people to do? How about telling them to look for a job? That is an activity. And as for spring break, it is time to end this practice. Keeping them in school would be a better way to occupy their time.

By the looks of the reading and math scores of young blacks in urban public schools across the country, they could use more classroom time. How about that as an opportunity?

With a swing and a miss, adults who should know better have become apologists for the unruly behavior on display in these disorderly events. Is it out of racial sensitivity? No politician came to the defense of the business owners who pay a high percentage of the property taxes in a city. Nobody called on parents to provide better parenting and for them to get more involved in the lives of their children. Instead, many want government to produce a solution to end this like giving more opportunities for young people. This is a big part of the problem in urban black America. Uncle Sam is doing what the parents and family have a responsibility to provide. And the results have been disastrous.

Here is what the response to these mob takeovers should be. An immediate repudiation to this unacceptable behavior. Upon arrest, participants should be charged with state charge of disorderly conduct instead of municipal ordinance charge and citations issued. A dollar total should be calculated and those arrested including their parent and the on-line organizers should be presented with a bill from the municipality. If they are receiving any government aid, the dollar loss should be subtracted from the government assistance like a person has part of their wages taken away to satisfy civil action nonpayment of a lawsuit until the judgment has been satisfied.

When a parent sees that their SNAP benefits or rent assistance are being taken away to pay for their dependent's wrongdoing, we are more likely to get their attention about responsible parenting.

It is a simple behavior concept. If you want more of a certain behavior, reward it. If you want less of a certain behavior, punish it.

Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. is former Sheriff of Milwaukee Co, Wisconsin, President of America’s Sheriff LLC, President of Rise Up Wisconsin INC, Board member of the Crime Research Center, author of the book Cop Under Fire: Beyond Hashtags of Race Crime and Politics for a Better America. To learn more visit www.americassheriff.com