Here's the picture: 3 boys 1 girl, 8-9 years old riding bikes on the basketball court in Firmont park abound 2:30 this afternoon. They tired of riding and their attention turns to the basketball hoop. Standing on their bicycle seats, two of them grab the hoop, dangle from it and start to swing to see if they can tear it off the mount. I surprised them when I said to stop destroying park property. They dropped to the ground and started over again. I spoke to them three times with no regard on their part.

This is a very typical situation with children in our community. Little or no respect for others property. As I watched the little angles dangle and bounce from the hoop after being told not to a thought flashed in my mind. What would the parents, who have failed to teach their children respect, do if the kid fell backwards while balancing on their bike seat and smashed their head open on the concrete. They'd say, "LETS SUE THE NEGLIGENT COMMUNITY FOR CREATING A SITUATION THAT HURT/KILLED MY CHILD!" Then I thought what will those parents say when the community has to raise everyone's HOA dues because damages/repairs are out of control. They'd say, "LETS SUE THAT ROTTEN HOA FOR NOT PROTECTING OUR PARKS/EQUIPMENT AND COSTING US MONEY!"

I wonder what has happened to parenting that children find it acceptable to ignore adults and cause damage.