[Glock4488]

First don't suggest moving, don't have the money.

in the last 3 days they have video of armed guys kicking in a door.''

a kid at school was stabbed to death at my old high school.

a guy in a wheelchair was mugged on camera.

school is dangerous....I'm afraid to send my 12 year old to school. home schooling is out because of my disabllity.

I think i will give him my pepper spray. Seriously im worried. what is this world coming too?

the school is incapable of stopping the violence. how can you get good grades when you fear for your life?

When I was in high school we had a "black" gang and if you were white and looked the wrong way at them you got an ass kicking.

i finally dropped out of high school because I feared for my life

my son is a good kid, i've taught him values and integrety and love for all people.

But i'm scared for him.

steve

 

[Franklin]

First don't suggest moving, don't have the money.

in the last 3 days they have video of armed guys kicking in a door.''

a kid at school was stabbed to death at my old high school.

a guy in a wheelchair was mugged on camera.

school is dangerous....I'm afraid to send my 12 year old to school. home schooling is out because of my disabllity.

I think i will give him my pepper spray. Seriously im worried. what is this world coming too?

the school is incapable of stopping the violence. how can you get good grades when you fear for your life?

When I was in high school we had a "black" gang and if you were white and looked the wrong way at them you got an ass kicking.

i finally dropped out of high school because I feared for my life

my son is a good kid, i've taught him values and integrety and love for all people.

But i'm scared for him.

steve

Good morning Glock4488
This is definitely a sad and troubling story. I am sorry you are living through it.
The good news is that there are a lot more people like you and me than there are BG's.
I don't know your belief in God. I hope you have a faith. I pray for my business, my friends, my tenants, sub contractors and my FAMILY.
The Lord's Prayer says "even though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Your rod and your staff will protect me.
I BELIEVE THIS. Pray God's protection over you and your family. Pray God would give you peace. Fear is the opposite of faith. Have faith, God will protect you and your family. I BELIEVE THIS.
Stay the course. One day, if you chose, you will be able to leave the Miami area. Jacksonville is really South Georgia. People still help each other. Your word still counts. It is a very religious community with a lot of opportunity work wise. St. Johns County (Jacksonville area) has one of the highest ranked public school systems in the nation.
The Lord Bless You Glock4488
Franklin

 

[fuzzy03cls]

Honestly there are far worse off places to live. I have lived in them.
Educate your kids is about all you can do.
I would not be giving a minor pepper spray I think that's illegal.
Maybe invest in some light self defense training or martial arts.
Have him hang with friends wherever he goes.

Sad world we live in.

 

[mikesid]

Society is breaking down.

I eat sometimes at Havana Harrys right next to coral gables senior high. scary stuff.

 

[MamaBear]

I suppose any one of us raising kids at some point feel we are throwing them out to the wolves to devour. We get into the mentality that they are only safe when they are with us.

There are many a good kid who have been raised in adverse situations. When a child feels secure in their love and acceptance at home they are less likely to be pulled into the ways of the world. When a child is nurtured at home they will not seek that love and acceptance elsewhere.

I'm speaking in generalities because we all know there are always exceptions to the 'rules' out there. Here are some thoughts off the top of my head. I'm not going to venture into the Christian/non-Christian approach. Some of this is just common across the board. Here is what I've learned through my observation of people in general.

When a husband is absent or negligent in his role as husband then the wife is left frustrated and empty. She will seek love and attention and a sense of belonging elsewhere hence the high divorce rate. Yes, it can go both ways.

When a father is negligent to his daughter she will seek that love elsewhere. There are plenty of young men with raging hormones who will tell a young woman that he loves her and in turn she will give him what she wants. He is thinking one thing and she is thinking another. There is much in our world of advertising and 'entertainment' that can pull in even the strongest child away from the security of her family. Acceptance among peers is fierce and can lead many astray. Our teenage pregnancy and STD rates can back this up.

When a young man (or young woman) is belittled at home he can turn violent to prove his place among his peers. Teen crime is on the rise.

There is a narrow road to find the delicate balance in holding on and turning loose of a child at the same time.

When it is necessary to put your child in a public school (private is so expensive and not everyone can (or should) homeschool) then your time and attention is IMPERATIVE once that child returns from school. Open communication is critical. Walking beside them can prove valuable. Asking them if they've done their homework is very different than sitting down and helping them with it.

I could go on and on but I'll stop here. We are all aware that crime is on the rise because there seems to be no boundaries set for the upcoming generation. A sense of entitlement can undermine an entire country. Each parent is responsible for instilling values into their child. We are aware that our present society seeks to destroy that child. Raising a child is probably the most difficult yet most rewarding job there is.

Be present, be available and be genuinely loving toward your child. Love cannot be bought. Love is time.

 

[SoFlaTechie]

I lived in Miami from the age of 10 into my mid 30's. I have seen the best and the worst of the city. Trust me, Miami has been dangerous for a long time. I grew up and lived through several riots, drug dealers on every corner, and the growth of the inner city gangs.

It was and is scary, and is a big reason why I carry today.

But somehow, I got through my childhood, never took drugs, never went to jail, and stayed alive. I believe the reason for it was simple - I had parents and a family that guided me along the right path. I did not always make the right decisions, but I knew very well the difference between right and wrong, and how to stay away from those that were doing wrong.

Your son has a very powerful force backing him up - YOU!!!

Teach him through your example and guidance - that is all you can do. Then pray that he makes the right decisions and stays safe.

 

[ZO6Vettever]

About a hundred years ago I was in a high school that was 5% white. Two, three fights a week was the norm. It sucked but at least back then they didn't want to "beat you down" till y'all were half dead. Nobody has an answer except better parenting and that ain't happening none too soon. A lot of these young people emulate the rappers and want to live the "gangsta" life. I wish you the very best of luck Glock4488 and hope you're boy does OK. Damn man, that just sucks!

 

[SoFlaTechie]

ZO6Vettever:

With all due respect I don't know if you meant it that way or not, but it sounds like you are implying a racial issue here.

That was not my experience growing up. I had more fights with those of my same race than those of other races. Bad kids are bad kids, regardless of race.

Not saying, just saying...

 

[Franklin]

ZO6Vettever:

With all due respect I don't know if you meant it that way or not, but it sounds like you are implying a racial issue here.

That was not my experience growing up. I had more fights with those of my same race than those of other races. Bad kids are bad kids, regardless of race.

Not saying, just saying...

I'm sure that's not what he meant. That's the problem with emails and writing in threads like this, easy to misinterpret.
Don't forget, this thread is about a man who is concerned for the safety of family in a tough area of Florida.
We can always call each other names after we've tried to help.
Best regards
Franklin:thumsup

 

[SoFlaTechie]

Franklin:

Please don't get me wrong. I am not calling anybody names. I don't want my comments to be misinterpreted either.

The fact is that race is a part of our lives whether we like it or not. I just wanted it to be clear that we should be careful when mentioning race in a thread like this because it can get ugly real quick. There are bad kids period.

I think we should make sure our kids know to be careful of the bad apples regardless of race that's all, the same type of situational awareness we as adults should adopt.

Guess my words didn't come across the way I wanted. My apologies if there were any misunderstandings.

Truce friends....

 

[YARDDOG]

My daughter just came back from vacation in MIAMI, She said it's another dam country down there, at the hotel the woman DOD NOT SPEAK ENGLISH
witch is BS. THIS is the USA SPEAK OUR LANGAUGE or LEARN Y/D

 

[45Freak]

We thought we had peer pressure when we were in school, now it's worse and the problem was back then there were a small fraction of bad kids and now there is a large fraction. Most don't really want to be that way but to fit in they have to hang or be a target. gangs are much to popular and violent. A lot of these kids parents have no contact with their kids until late in the evening because of both are working or they gave up the fight to control them, so very sad! Parents separating and divorcing leaving one parent to try to control them:aarg
When the family basically fails, it effects everyone including the community. The best we can do is never give up on our kids, show them you are in control, don't let the school system just shrug their shoulders and say " We try our best", that is not good enough if your child fears the very place they have to be by law a majority of the day. Hold the school responsible, they have a obligation to keep your child safe. Give your child the tools to defend themselves such as self defense/Karate, awareness, knowledge. It may sound far fetched to some but those are the folks in denial until one day reality smacks them in the face. the first step is recognizing the risk, it appears you have Glock4488. Good luck.