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Home > Clayton.Talk > Archives > 2007 > April > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIs you subdivison in “Code Red” status?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you get nervous when you see a group of kids hanging around your subdivision doing things you know they shouldn’t be doing? Your community can now send a message to those kids and, more importantly, their parents.
“Code Red” is a joint effort among the Clayton County Juvenile Court system, Clayton County police and homeowner associations. It is specifically designed to address parents not properly supervising their children. So if your child is accused of any criminal offense, both parent and child can be brought to Juvenile Court immediately. Once in court, the judge will take the appropriate action specific to each individual case.
“The essence is to try to get the parents who are not controlling their kids into court either immediately or within 24 hours, depending on the time of day,” Judge Steven Teske said. “We see many issues with some of the more troubled youth coming into court because parents are not adequately supervising or controlling their kids.”
Back in November 2006 the Judge ordered a 15-year-old girl fighting with another child within a Riverdale subdivision permanently removed. The girl, who had no family or adult supervision there, was sent to her mother’s Ellenwood subdivision. Teske advocates accountability by parents and child, not banishment. “We look at the parents asking if there’s any connection to parental supervision, or lack thereof, and the child’s actions. The best probation officer is still the parent,” he says.
The judge favors a program managed by the mental health department called “Parenting With Love and Limits.” “I like this because its not the same old parenting program. It works with the child and parent at the same time and we’ve had a good deal of success with it.” But make no mistake, if harsher action is called for the judge will act accordingly.
There are now five subdivisions participating, and one more in the works. Judge Teske recently received a letter from a participating homeowner association thanking the Judge and Police Chief Jeff Turner for their involvement in Code Red. “That subdivision has not had a single incident in their subdivision since Code Red went into effect there,” according to Teske.
Adds Chief Turner, “From the police side, this program has been effective. Once we start making examples of kids who live in these communities, it embarrasses the parents and forces them to be responsible for their children’s actions. Parents become more vigilant in knowing where their kids are, what they are doing and who they are hanging out with.”
Even if you have no children Code Red can be beneficial, especially if you own property here. “We want to make sure that property values remain intact,” says Teske, who has lived in Clayton since he was 14 years old and isn’t going anywhere. “I refuse to be one of those who abandons Clayton County, it’s been my home and if you call it your home you have to act like it’s your home, and you shouldn’t be abandoning your home or your neighbors.”
Will you attempt to implement Code Red within your community? If you are living in an area that already has Code Red, what effect has it had on your neighborhood? Do you see changes? Please share your stories!
Have your Homeowner’s Association email Sharion Washington, Chief Probation Officer of the Juvenile Court of Clayton County for more information if your subdivision is interested in participating in the Code Red program: Sharion.washington@co.clayton.ga.us
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Comments
By Marcus
April 10, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
Bravo Kimberly!! Way to bring something of importance to the table!! Keep it up!
By tracy
April 10, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
We have no association how can may area get involved?
By maggie
April 10, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
I agree with Judge Teske. I’ve lived in the county since 1970. I also used to spend part of summers in FP when Eastern A.L. based my brother here. I, too, don’t intend to move. I was there first and I like my conveniences and short commute to work downtown. Also, there is MAJOR traffic south of exit 233! No thanks.
By So-So Concerned
April 10, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
Kimberley: I would also liked to thank you for this article. My neighborhood is one of the five participating in the code red program. As of right now, I cannot say it has benefited us, but I’m sure I’ll see a difference in the months to come (warm weather). However, I have noticed more police patrol.
All incidents that I’m aware of in my community have been acts committed by teenagers. We know who they are and have them under a microscope. DARE YOU TO BREATHE!
Our neighborhood association is very “proactive” when we see any sign of trouble. What disappoints me and the few active neighbors in our association is the lack of participation. We have approximately 15 homes representing 150 homes, but they all benefit. Why is it so difficult for us to come out once a month to find out what’s happening in our neighborhood as well as our community? LORD HELP US ALL!
My association has done everything imagineable to get residents to come out. We have sponsored back to school block parties, Christmas parties, easter egg hunts, valentine parties, and meetings with elected official and business owners, etc. What does it take to make these residents concerned?
The few of us who are active have pledged not to give up. We will keep fighting til the end. We have an investment and WILL NOT let little wannabe thugs take it.
By Angela
April 10, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
How can you find out if your subdivision is on Code Red, and if it’s not, how do you get it on Code Red?
By Kimberly Allen
April 11, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
*Tracy - When I spoke with Chief Turner, he indicated that he and Judge Teske determine what subdivisions participate in Code Red based on the area’s need & its reported juvenile criminal activity. He added they may be able to find alternative solutions for areas that are not high in juvenile crime or where no homeowner’s association exists. So I’d still suggest emailing Sharion Washington at Sharion.washington@co.clayton.ga.us and explaining your neighborhood’s situation, hopefully they can work with you. Good luck and I hope they are able to assist you!
Angela - my subdivision participates in Code Red and we have signs at all entrances (to the subdivision as well as common areas (pool; clubhouse; playground)) warning all that our subdivision participates in the Code Red program and enter at your own risk.
If your subdivision has no such signs, I would suggest attending your next homeowner’s association meeting to find out for sure whether your subdivision participates or not. If not, your HOA board must initiate getting your subdivision into the program. Have them email Sharion Washington at Sharion.washington@co.clayton.ga.us to get the process started. Good luck!
Thanks to all for reading this blog and I hope it was helpful!*
Kimberly Washington
By Joe
April 12, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
I don’t know if the code red program is fair? Seventy per cent of black children never knew their father, and the mother is working two jobs just to keep them in the bare necessities, like $150 shoes to wear to school where they get free lunch and breakfast.