Neighbors' catfight ends up in Jeannette court

Tribune-Review ^ | 8/23/2006 | Paul Paterra

[SoothingDave]

How many meows does it take to make a misdemeanor?

Jeannette District Judge Joseph R. DeMarchis will make that determination in 90 days.

He heard testimony Tuesday in the case of a city teenager who allegedly said "meow" repeatedly to a neighbor.

Michael Loughner, 14, of 108 Harrison Ave., was charged with harassment by Jeannette police after a July 23 incident.

[SoothingDave]

Meow

SD

[martin_fierro]

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[martin_fierro]

Meow.

[SoothingDave]

I thought you might like this for your arsenal:

SD

[martin_fierro]

your arsenal:

LOL

Yeah, do *not* tick me off.

I'll throw funny graphics at ya.

[sully777]

Hokay-I read the entire article: Much as I hate the idea of calling the police, I agree with the old lady. The mother of the 14 year old was unwilling to change her son's behavior and certainly wasn't teaching respect for one's elders. In the old days (I can't believe I'm saying that) the old lady would have taken care of business, or at least her son would have straightened out the punk.

Today, kids have zero fear of any authority. They will bully and attack knowing full well the worse they get is juvey and street cred.

The only recourse is the legal route. I say the old lady get a restraining order against the kid and the parent. If the problem happens again, sue the family for all they have and kick their sorry butts out of the neighborhood...the old lady will get instant respect and some money in here golden years.

Sorry to say, it seems to be the way of the world in some places. What other response does she have--smack the kid or hire a hit???

[SoothingDave]

Hokay-I read the entire article: Much as I hate the idea of calling the police, I agree with the old lady. The mother of the 14 year old was unwilling to change her son's behavior and certainly wasn't teaching respect for one's elders. In the old days (I can't believe I'm saying that) the old lady would have taken care of business, or at least her son would have straightened out the punk.

Yep. A father figure or equivalent should have told the kid to knock it off. Sad that the police need to be involved.

SD

[PennsylvaniaMom]

Though I can't place Harrison Avenue, I can say there are some pretty rough areas in Jeanette. Sounds like these two next door neighbors have had issues for years...but I guess it is never too early for the local law enforcement to familiarize themselves with a young lad like 'meow' boy. Any bets as to the Jeanette PD interacting with the yut again sometime soon?

Meow...

[SoothingDave]

Harrison Avenue is Route 130. It's not in the seedier area, just neighbors out of control.

SD

[PghBaldy]

OMG. I saw this in the paper today and thought it funny. Glad someone posted it.

[PghBaldy]

Is it just me, or do many odd things happen here in W Pa? Or maybe I just remember them.

[Shethink13]

Okay - now I heard a little different story on the radio yesterday afternoon. They said the boy was 4, not 14, and that he was upset because they had to get rid of their family cat because of this elderly lady.

It does say in the article that they got rid of their family cat to keep the peace, but I don't see how it ties in to this particular story because it wasn't the cat but the boy making the noises that upset this woman.

When I heard that them say it was a 4 yr old they were considering prosecuting I thought it was ridiculous. A 14 yr old is a different matter, but to me it sounds like we're only getting one side of this story.

If the kid was forced to get rid of his cat (which would have been 3 yrs ago meaning he was only 11) because of the neighbor, it adds a slightly different color to this story, does it not?

[JohnCliftn]

The article ends with these paragraphs:

Police Sgt. Donald Johnston felt the charge was warranted.

"He engaged in a conduct repeatedly that serves no legitimate purpose," Johnston said. "I don't feel the victim should have to go through her golden ages being harassed by the defendant."

I agree that here must be more to this story than what is reported, because that is a peculiar attitude for a cop.

• What is Conduct with no legitimate purpose?
• Meowing just because you want to meow is not legitimate?
• There is a list somewhere of conduct with legitimate purpose? I know there is a list of illegitimate conduct. It is called the laws.

Still, it is weird.

[Valin]

"Kids!
I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!
Kids!
Who can understand anything they say?
Kids!
They a disobedient, disrespectful oafs!
Noisy, crazy, dirty, lazy, loafers!
While we're on the subject:
Kids!
You can talk and talk till your face is blue!
Kids!
But they still just do what they want to do!
Why can't they be like we were,
Perfect in every way?
What's the matter with kids today?
Kids!
I've tried to raise him the best I could
Kids! Kids!
Laughing, singing, dancing, grinning, morons!
And while we're on the subject!
Kids! They are just impossible to control!
Kids! With their awful clothes and their rock an' roll!
Why can't they dance like we did
What's wrong with Sammy Caine?
What's the matter with kids today!"