Posted on 07/09/2016 9:08:41 PM PDT by MFOSGO
My daughter was a thief. And what she stole was cold, hard cash.
It began with money from a parent’s wallet. Then, from another parent’s wallet. It moved on to a twenty from her big brother’s desk drawer. And then singles from the babysitter’s purse.
This happened a dozen times over. It was a pattern. It was serious, not incidental or of opportunity.
The piece de resistance was pinching thirty dollars from a school mate’s back pack – she got wind that the wad was in there for a donation.
Oh, and my daughter is seven.
I freaked out. Explained to her that if she kept up like this she would never be trusted by anyone and one day these actions might land her jail. I was cold, hard and blunt in the details.
But shockingly, she was not deterred. It happened again.
So, we took her to the police station.
We called our neighborhood precinct. Told them what had been happening and asked if we could bring her in for a talking to, as we were at a loss.
They said yes, sure.
My husband brought her in. She was hysterical. Hyperventilating, crying. She kept asking if she could say goodbye to assorted people and if she was going to die in jail.
It was heartbreaking. But the stealing had to stop.
He drove her there. And marched her inside the station as she mumbled, bracing herself, “I’m gonna be brave!”
The sergeant came over to wide-glassy-eyed-catatonic her. He gave her a pencil. And kindly and patiently explained the difference between giving and taking.
Then, as if I had paid him to be there, a half-drunk derelict in handcuffs reeled around the lobby squaring off at little her, “don’t ever go to jail! It sucks!
The sergeant took her back to the holding cell and showed her the ominous, metal bars and lock up.
Quietly and intensely he told my daughter that he knew she was a good girl and that she didn’t want to end up in there. He was sure she was never going to steal again!
She gave him a cracked half-smile. Tears spilled down her cheeks. He patted her on the head.
She came home and passed out.
That cop, with his busy station and important real-life business, took the time to help us solve a big problem. He was kind and generous. He could have easily told us to deal with it ourselves and not waste his time.
I think of this today as officers around this country are getting a completely false and bad wrap.
The real statistics:
Of the 990 arrest-related deaths in 2015, 38 were black and unarmed.
Thus far in 2016 of the 505 shot dead during arrests, 37 people were unarmed. 13 of them were black.
We sent 6 pizzas to that police station yesterday. And called them to voice our support. They were overtly grateful.
At a recent neighborhood festival, my daughter recognized one of the officers from the station. “That policeman was there when I was arrested” she said.
Good thing she got off that time. Because she never stole again.
Sometimes “tough love” is exactly what is needed.
Good for you! The very young dynachrome had to back to the store and apologize to the clerk for stealing a candy bar and was spanked when he got home.
Awesome parenting...a bit of divine timing
great story..!
Paul Harvey would be proud ........
Welcome. Very nice story.
When my son was in Cub Scouts, he started a collection of police badges. We would stop in at various police stations in nearby towns as well as far-away places during our family travels. In San Francisco, we were in a local precinct and we visited the cell where they lock up suspects — it had a stainless steel rail around the hard bench to cuff the prisoners and it STANK of vomit, urine and feces. We often discussed how easy it is to be a good citizen in life and never have to experience such a place as a suspect. I think those lessons really stuck with him.
All the police we visited at the various stations were wonderful and he still has his fantastic police badge collection. We were always treated nicely by all the police we met and they always took time to help a Cub Scout learn about policing.
Congratulations on finding a quick solution.
Welcome to Free Republic!
Welcome to Free Republic.
Great maiden post!
One time I was exasperated and stopped a cop to ask if he could tell my wife to clean her mess at home and he did and she did.
I mean when they see parents trying their hardest to get their kids right,....
Glad it worked out. Society will be glad it worked out.
Welcome. n00b.
Nice post
Welcome MFOSGO.
Just did a prayer for Yaelle’s ailing kitty.
I’ll send one for your daughter, that God would grow her into a fine upstanding woman.
Maybe someday, when she is an adult, she’ll remember this time...and thank you and your husband.
Wonderful first post!
Welcome :)
It would be useful to know how old your daughter is today...
I always suspected something shady about you ;)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.