EDITORIAL: Welcome to Kittanning!
EDITOR’S NOTE: It is our policy to have more information than just an email address submitted with the Editorial online. However, because of the content of this Editorial, I will wave that requirement one time only. Feel free to comment below.
I have recently moved to Kittanning. The town is like a post card when you enter. My family and I have only been here two weeks and to my surprise, my son’s bike was stolen out of our fenced-in yard.
Now I face a dilemma. Do I let it go or do I investigate in to it myself? I know the police have bigger things to worry about, so I took it upon myself to do the investigation.
The bike is not a big deal. It was the attitude of the children and the parents that surprised me. Remember I am new to Kittanning. I followed a lead which lead me to one house, where the mother had no idea where her 12-year-old son was. However, after she called him on his cell phone from her government housing, he arrived. He told me that he was riding the bike, but decided not to buy the bike that he knew was stolen. He gives me a new lead, so it’s off I go. The next place I go is an apartment where I see a bike ride by with the wheel from the stolen bike. Quickly the mother runs out to reassure me that they are not my wheels and that she paid a kid 10 dollars so her son can have them. After recovering the wheels, her son gives me a new lead on where to find the rest of the bike, so it’s off I go again.
I report to the next house and ask to speak to the parents of the young man who is selling the parts. The father explains how it can’t be his son. While talking to him, I am looking at two freshly-painted black bikes in his yard. HMM! REALLY!
As a parent I find it horrible that parents will support their child’s criminal activities. I wasn’t looking to have a child arrested. I was looking for a child to be held accountable, which isn’t done enough anymore. An apology would have been fine or scare the child straight from doing it again. If my child would of stolen a bike or shown up at our home with a bike he could not explain, then I, as a parent would ask the question “Where did you get that?” I would take him there myself, watch him walk to door and explain what he did. Why? Because I am raising a man not a criminal. Again , the bike can be replaced; however, the child’s integrity and trust is lost forever.
Respectfully, A New Resident
Uncategorized | admin August 27, 2010
By sweetleur, August 27, 2010 @ 6:43 AM
Welcome to the world. People wonder why their kids grow up to be criminals- part of the reason is just what you wrote, the parents cover up for the kids . Because you are (rich) which you aren’t it justifies it in their eyes to take the bike and sell it for parts.Keep things locked especially your home and vehicles.The parents have no values, hence the kids don’t either.I hope you reported this to the Police.
By let it go, August 27, 2010 @ 10:00 AM
Kittanning has 2 groups of people
class and no/low class open your eyes and learn the difference, it is unbelievable
keep your lights on and the doors locked
By cherok29, August 27, 2010 @ 11:29 AM
It is a shame. Whenever I come back to the area to visit my family, to the house that I grew up in for the first 18 years of my life, it is disheartening.
The quiet street, with respectable neigbors is now replaced with a street full of drag-racers at all hours of the night, and neighbors out yelling at their kids at 3 o’clock in the morning. Makes it hard for me to want to visit and bring my young children back “home”. Especially when I know that due to the noise pollution, none of us get any sleep at night.
By hoyman99, August 27, 2010 @ 5:39 PM
Its a shame i pick up the local commerical dumpsters in town and i like the city. and u got a town of ppl like that.
By walrus, August 28, 2010 @ 7:50 AM
K-town has become a haven for section 8 housing and low life generation after generation welfare scum. The police have given up on attempting to control the drug, theft, and other crimnal activity be cause our county judical system slaps the wrists of offenders with probation or community service. If you are new to the area be sure you don’t stop after work for an adult drink, the system will find and prosecute you.
By cherok29, August 29, 2010 @ 8:07 AM
Well said, Walrus. Well said.
By gmh, August 30, 2010 @ 12:07 AM
AMEN Walrus!! You are so right! I see it everyday cause i work in town. Its disgusting!
By LouisWinthorpeIII, August 30, 2010 @ 6:16 PM
Let’s bring in more section 8 housing, habitat for humanity, and thank goodness we’re getting low to moderate income housing at the former IUP sight. We know these types of developments bring in the caliber of people we enjoy having in our community to help spur the local economy and pay taxes! I know, lets buy some more fire trucks!!! Will band-aide fixes never cease in Kittanning? In our school district? Welcome to Kittanning!