Let’s not dismiss troubled youth

EDITOR,
I found Ronaele Findley’s response (“Plenty wrong with BC park,” Aug. 6) to Denese Matthes’ letter (Boulder Creek Rec must get serious,” July 30) concerning atrocities at Junction Park disappointing and unproductive. Dismissing local youths as “trash” is unacceptable. Perhaps calling law enforcement immediately when witnessing “troublemakers carrying booze,” rather than waiting for a “fight” (dousing a spark before it becomes a raging fire?) would be a more responsible act for a concerned adult! It saddens me to hear local youths-of-our future so callously described as “trash.” We need to show more attentive concern toward local youths, make attempts to assist them in making proper choices and give them more viable options of recreational choices. “It takes a village to raise a child.”
A timely concerned call to police may enable them to discover where minors purchased alcohol and take action to eliminate similar future events. I commend Matthes’ willingness to draw attention to horrific events taking place at Junction Park, and I hope that doing so may inspire others to take vigilant, concerned stances to ensure that local youths are given every opportunity to become useful, productive members of society. I thank Findley for showing how overwhelmingly familiar many have become with the concepts of “there’s nothing I can do; it’s not my problem.” That’s easier than taking accountability and working toward bettering our surroundings.
“It’ll never happen” is a defeatist attitude and discourages others from even trying. Perhaps Matthes’ ideas are unrealistic or outdated. But presentation of viable options is more productive than laughing off another’s ideas. Neighborhood children showing proclivity to chaos is indeed “despicable.” But any adult’s refusal to become involved or to inspire better decision-making is negligent and irresponsible. When we refer to children as “trash,” we condemn ourselves to living in the dumps.
Love thy neighbors.
Mike McClish, Soledad