So In the Cause of Pranks It Is OK to Trespass?

Last night, about 3 percent of the "Classy Class" were on my property. I was awakened at about 10:30 pm by noise of 8-10 high school students outside my window. I did what any parent with kids would do. I dialed 911.

I had been tipped off earlier in the day that there was going to be vandalism at my house this week. Based on the responses to my blogs, and the fact that so many students took credit for acts of such kind, I had called the police chief at 2 pm and asked him if he could possibly provide extra patrols in my neighborhood. So, when I heard the kids, I called 911. Anyone with kids would do the same after reading those blogs.

It has been posted that I should have known that the trespassing  was "just humorous and adding irony to the situation." Excuse me, how in HELL would I know that?

Read the anger in your blogs. Read the attacks on my daughter. Read the people insisting that I move out of town.  Why would I think that 8-10 kids on my property was innocent fun? What sane person would assume that it was all just "fun"?

The kids got caught. They got warnings. The police have their names.  They will get their names in the paper. They are not and never were welcome on my property, or my home. How DARE you come onto my land without asking my permission? Trespassing is also a crime.

Please note the terms of the Barrington Patch are that I own my blog. I can shut it down or remove any of the mean things you have said. But I believe in free speech even if they are attacks on me. I wonder how many of you would allow 100-plus personal attacks on you? Judging from your tone, none.

The problem with the whole situation is many of the pranks that you felt were harmless have unintended consequences. While you have fun, others may not be having fun or may feel intimidated. Read the RIDE policy on bullying and safe schools. Your pranks are in total violation.

I was fully justified in calling the police with people on my property, uninvited, whose intentions were unknown to me, and it was actually prudent to do so.  

In fact, if I had not, DCYF could say that I was remiss in my duty to protect the children in my care. They could remove my children if I had not acted. They have done it to other foster familes for less, though I have been doing this for six years and have a good reputaion with them.

Again, if you know me, or have read my blogs, I have three foster kids right now. I had warned them that something might happen one of these nights. You have to warn them in advance. They often get afraid at night, for without going into detail,  many bad things have happened to them at night.

But even with the warning, one of them was upset when the police came. For it was the police that removed the child from their parents' house on multiple occasions. The child was crying both last night and this morning wondering if the bad kids will be back tonight.

Not that, of course, the kids who were having "ironic" fun would have any  way of knowing that, but that is my point. Teenagers do not think through their actions. They do not think about who they may be hurting. They did not think or care who they could be hurting with the pranks.  But given the responses on line, I don't expect they will care about others weaker than they are.

I am very disappointed in the students who know my family situation and would support anything or anyone that would hurt my children in any way. They know several of you and are very hurt to hear that you are writing things about their father, who they care about.

They ask how you could do that to us? You see they see us as a family, who protect each other,  often more so than regular families, as they have had failed families in the past that have made their lives very sad. They appreciate their home more than many of you ever will, not having lived with the same issues.

Many of you who know my family know how fragile they are. I can take it,  But they are crushed to see you writing such hateful things about me and Sara personally.

These kids feel I have saved them from a life in a shelter or worse. I have advocated for them again and again, and will do whatever I need to for their safety. And despite what you may think of me, they love me for it.

So, you are free to write whatever you want on MY blog. I spoke to the school administration today and the issue will be resolved in an adult manner, and I am confident to my satisfaction. As far as I am concerned the issue is resolved.

But none of you are welcome on my property. Why you would think so is beyond my ken. It is not like you have been pleasant or respectful  in your tone.

I am having a set of 16 security cameras installed. If any of you are found on my property, I will not only call the police, but I will press charges to the fullest extent of the law. You will be on videotape. Barrington  pranks do not rule the world.

Classy Class indeed!