Thread: Children and Arson.

I have heard a bit in the news about what or how they are going to charge them.
It is really difficult but with the amount of damage to life of animals and could be human and financial damage , something has to be done.

Originally Posted by Saitch

I'm shocked at these responses.
Don't you realise that it's not these kiddies fault that they're arseholes.
Just ask the money grabbing defence lawyers.
The only way to rehabilitate these poor unfortunates is with sending them to the colonies i.e. Christmas Island or our Northern neighbours very effective method of the Rattan across the buttocks.
Probably end up with the same pain one way or the other!

are you for real, didn't you know that chastising them will have you up for assault. The smacking of little darlings was abolished when the do gooders came along and said it traumatizes the little darlings and you could also be up for assault.
I think getting the cuts in school got banned in the late 60s, in the 2000's the kids were told their legal rights that they could not be spanked. Inflicting pain was stopped and kids attitudes changed also. I often see kids verbally ab using their parents. If it was my kid I reckon a good kick up the backside would soon stop that behaviour, but I would be breaking the law.
The kids these days are maturing earlier, so the new 18 is 15 even 14 in some cases. So they know what they are doing. The difference between right and wrong is not that hard to figure out.There should be no excuses.

I had a gun pointed at my partner and me one night and a shot fired in our direction as we drove past a tram stop, My partner nearly returned fire but we realised it was a starter pistol. That kid could have been shot as a gun looks like a gun in the dark. The juvenile was also arrested the week prior for walking down a crowded street with nun chuckas, swinging them dangerously at people.
Come our day in court it was brought to the court's attention that he came from a broken family and he volunteered as a meals on wheels for the elderly and so on and on.
His lawyer made this joker out a valued community citizen, and a good kid
He was given a good behavior bond.
We could have been at a coronial inquest instead of the magistrate's court hearing

If these kids had a "problem" then why did they wait until the conditions were the worst they could be, before "acting out" their little arson tendancies?

A true pryromaniac would light a fire at home, or in a rubbish bin and be fixated with with it. They NEED the fire to feel "right" or "normal" in their own mind. This is a mental condition that may, or may not, be able to be successfully treated.

What these kids have done, is wilful & deliberate ARSON. I have no time for them.

Alas, capital punishment is no longer available to us, however, I wonder if shackling them to a tree in the direct path of a fire front would be frowned upon???

Either that, or deport them about 500 kms south of Tasmania....

Originally Posted by Saitch

Don't you realise that it's not these kiddies fault that they're arseholes.

its not their fault, but it doesn't change that they are arseholes.

Originally Posted by Ausfree

I am just wondering, in this difficult time with fires burning (some out of control) what responsibility should under age children take for lighting fires that cause major damage and disruption.
I was watching the local news tonight about the appearance in court of three minors who (alleged) lit the Heatherbrae fires that caused death to wildlife (including 30 Koala Bears and counting), closure of Newcastle Airport evacuation of residents, including a retirement village and destruction of businesses and houses.

I can understand a child getting into mischief and accidently playing with matches and starting a fire but what I saw on the news tonight has made me angry.

Three juveniles have been arrested over the Heatherbrae fires, one held in custody and the others released in care. One came out of the Children's Court with a towel over his head and continuously gave "the finger" to the camera man.
Even as the car he was in drove off, he was "giving the finger" through the back window. This kid does not get it at all, there seemed to be no sign of regret.

What do other people think here, should parents be held accountable for this sort of behaviour.

POLL: Boys charged over Heatherbrae inferno | The Maitland Mercury

I see that a 16 year old arrested for arson for lighting a fire in Glenrock National Park and burning out a large area (this happened about 3 weeks ago) has a record of assault, theft and shop lifting. I think young people with this sort of track record should be dealt with more serverley than the kid who makes an honest mistake.

Opinions anybody?????

Tasmania finally tightened up their arson laws & penalties, closely followed by Victoria in time for our tragic Black Saturday fires. Don't know what other States & Territories are doing, but if nothing, need to work fast, or arsonists, adults & children alike, will continue to get away with this unbelievably dangerous & irresponsible act.

You've really got to wonder what kind of child commits this type of offence, and it is hard not to assume full responsibility for them, falls on their parents, as if raised with any sense of decency or respect for other life, human & animal, and peoples property, they would surely have had second thoughts. But then again, sadly, these kids probably haven't been raised with respect for themselves, let alone others, or their property.

Just give them to the firies that are risking their lives to put these fires out. Sure they will know what to do with them

One problem with blaming the parents is the system. If they are 14 then the system will not help you as they are an adult unless it is a criminal offence where the become a minor.

Yes bad parents make bad kids but try dealing with DOCS when you want help because you are caring for a teen child.

Repeat offenders should be tried as an adult, most of these kids have probably been doing it for years before they were caught. And yes the do gooders have destroyed society and are still trying to ruin what's left.

Shame on you people with appalling comments or solution to rehabilitate these poor souls ( souls ? nah)
I will give them a second chance and send them naked and bare foot to walk on the coals rescue wildlife at the hot spots.
People like them deserve compassion.
If their parents are guilty of forming their kids like that the desexing them.