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Town meeting focuses on juvenile misconduct

  • Published
  • By Angela Elbern
  • 15 AW/PA
Hickam Air Force Base --  Where's the fire?  It was difficult not to notice the large red fire department vehicle, just part of one of the great display booths at the Hickam Base Housing Town Hall Meeting, held at the C-17 Auditorium Wednesday, Feb. 21. Representatives from a wide range of organizations discussed topics centering upon juvenile misconduct, eagle eyes, identity theft, security, recycling and civil engineering.

"This is the first time we've presented juvenile misconduct in a town hall meeting and the only reason we're doing it is to try to make sure the parents are aware of what the kids are doing on base so that they can help us curb some of their misbehavior," said Lt. Col. Michael McDaniels, deputy commander, 15th Mission Support Group.   Colonel McDaniels displayed slides that represented the types of misconduct by category, starting with the most serious offenses. These ranged from vandalism, shoplifting, assault and drug use/possession to malicious mischief, underage drinking, trespassing and burglary. He said there were a total of 43 cases in 2006, but estimated that in 2007 there could be as many as 80 if this year's trend continues. 

"Of these kids, in the last six months we've had two kids who drank so much the fire department had to rush them to the hospital -- blood alcohol content of 2.6 or higher for a 16 year old or younger!" continued the colonel. "One girl was passed out on the street because she had so much at her friend's house who was another underage drinker.
"This underage drinking bothers me a lot because that can be perceived as social norms that we put out as parents -- at least one of these kids got it from the parents' stash. So please help us out with this," Colonel McDaniels said. "If you see something going on, don't be afraid to call Security Forces and if they want you to give a statement, don't be afraid to make a statement." 

Col. JJ Torres, commander, 15th Airlift Wing, encouraged residents to get involved.
"One thing that will help out -- and we're going to do this semi-annually -- is base beautification," he said. "What we're going to do on May 24th is going to encompass the entire base -- that will make a statement about pride."   Residents who came to the town hall meeting were treated to handouts and displays of services available to them with representatives from the services community to answer questions.  In addition, a wide range of information on educational facilities and degree programs, youth programs, entertainment and dining facilities, and family support services was displayed. 

"We have these meetings about every six months and there are about 25 residents here at this meeting," said Lt. Col. McDaniel. "In the past, we haven't had that many, so that's good. It means the word is getting out and people are interested in what we have to say."