TOWN CHARGES FINE IF YOUR KID IS A BULLY

In the Wisconsin town of Plover, parents now face a $124 fine if police find that their child has bullied another child more than once in 90 days. The Plover Village Board this month approved an ordinance that gives police the ability to notify parents in writing if their child is caught bullying and to ticket the parents if their child is caught bullying again within 90 days. With court costs included, the fine would total $124. The ordinance is intended to hold parents accountable for the actions of their children and motivate parents to confront their children if bullying is taking place. The police have to be involved in the incidents for the ordinance to apply. The bullying doesn’t necessarily have to be happening at school, though, and could even be happening online.
* Bullies in Plover have quickly responded with a rotating 90-day Bullying Schedule.
* When push comes to shove, something has to be done.
* Caught bullying? “Hey, Randy, let me know next time you plan to punch me in the hall so I can have my phone ready to record.”
* What about non-violent forms of kid meanness, like Dirty Looks, Name-Calling, and Offensive Hand Gestures?
* What a thoughtful new way to generate revenue for the city.
* No, wait. This isn’t about a new revenue stream for the politicians. This is to fight bullying, right?
* Prediction: It ends up costing way more than it will ever produce.
* Oh, and bullying will get worse.
* Other than that I think it’s a terrific idea.