Neenah Park Rules Seem Unnecessary
As many as 40 to 60 Goth teens apparently have been congregating on the weekends in Neenah's Doty Park, alarming city officials to the point that they've enacted a series of new rules to discourage them from hanging out there.Now, any group of 15 or more people must obtain a permit to gather in all Neenah parks after 8 p.m.; park users may not smoke within 100 feet of any park building, athletic field or playground; and anyone cited for violating park rules or city ordinances in parks twice within a year will be evicted from city parks for an additional year. Also, a chaperone 21 years or older is required for every 10 minors.
The rules came on the heels of complaints about the Goths, who typically dress in black clothing and don black hair and dramatic makeup.
Some residents complained about the kids' use of profanity, underage smoking, littering, property damage and intimidating other park users.
Though Neenah Mayor George Scherck said that these kids aren't being singled out for their appearance and the new rules equally apply to any large group, even "senior citizens dressed in pink," we wonder if the city would have been so quick to act if large groups of, say, preppy kids, were hanging out in the park.
Sure, it's understandable that so many teens, especially if they're dressed all in black, might seem intimidating to an unsuspecting mother taking her toddler to swing at the park.
However, it's the behavior that city and park officials should be concerned about — and what they should be able to address with ordinances already on the books, such as underage smoking or vandalism.
If these kids — or any park-goers — are breaking the rules, by all means, ticket them. But to step up police patrols just for the sheer volume of teens who are hanging out together seems like a $1,000 remedy for a 10-cent problem.
We wonder if police will enforce the new rules on everyone. Will family reunions, for instance, need to secure a permit before having a picnic in the park?
Or is Neenah just looking for a way to clear its parks of one group whose problem may lie in perception only?
What do you think of this?
9 comments:
I think that the post crescent is just looking for a way to single out the "Goth's" because many people were complaining, when really they were most likely doing nothing wrong but hanging out. I used to live in Neenah and go to the parks all the time after 8:00p.m with large amounts of people to just hang out. And no cop has ever stopped us before saying we needed a permit. And i love how they added that they would stop senior citizens in pink.. when you know that they wouldn't.
Great post Vinny! It's so cool to see that you're supporting your classmate. I think the "goths" are getting singled out and it is not fair. Yes, if they are breaking rules they should face consequenses, just as any other person should. I think they may intimidate some people just because of their looks, but if these people got to know these kids, I bet they would think differently, just as I have since I've got to know a few. They are people just like everyone else and have feelings, too. Maybe a 30 days episode would be good in this situation??
Dang it. I'm too late. There's already 7 on 7 going at the park for the football game. Wait I can play? Even though It's uneven teams? Well that's pretty nice. Oh but wait, I'm the 15th remember. I need a permit because that's too many to be at the park. So I guess since i'm only 1 person over the park limit, I have to walk all the way down to the Park and Recreation building to buy a permit. Just so I can play a pick-up game of football. Oh but wait, I just got back from buying a permit and the game is already over. Dang-it! Next time I made it under the park limit. Oh and remember, you have to watch your language because it upsets the neighboors. So when I try to make the catch for a touchdown, miss it, and snap my arm off diving for the catch, I can't say Sh**. Just like the manager at the local Best Buy says after he dropped his donut while selling a movie to my grandma. Also, color matters too while making your stay at the Neenah Doty public park. So at this so called public park on Halloween dressed as a vampire I can't go, because I'll scare the parents walking by with there kids all dressed up. Oh dang it. Now I can't play football with my Oakaland Raiders uniform, beacause it's all black. I never knew being all black in a NFL football player outfit would tag me with the scary "Goth" sterio-type. So next time you head on over or should i say "congregate" over to the park, make sure you have a maximum of 14 players, because if you have 15, it will upset the neighboors and brake the park rule.
My thoughts:
In the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, citizens have the right to assemble. This has been interpreted by the judicial branch as anyone who peacefully gets together. The legislative branch has made laws restricting individuals’ right to assemble; however, the community of Neenah seems to be aiming their specific laws towards a counterculture which threatens older white folks: Goth. Although Goth people can seem intimidating, I have gotten to know several young adults who identify themselves as Goth. Although I may not want to take my nieces or nephews for a walk through the park if 50 Goth’s are hangin’ out, the decision is my own. It’s no different than not taking my nieces and nephews to College Ave during bar time. If people vandalize on College Ave, they should get a ticket- same as Goths’ in the park. If an underager drinks at a bar on College Ave, they should get a ticket- same as Goths’ in the park.
The debate in the community of Neenah takes me back to April of my junior year in high school. After Columbine, fear and hysteria swept many communities- including my own. Suddenly anyone dressed in black who wore a trench coat was a member of a nationally recognized gang entitled “Trench Coat Mafia”. Schools and communities banned any teenagers from donning a trench coat. People I knew who were followers of Insane Clown Posse (ICP) were heckled and marginalized even further. If a group of teenagers peacefully assemble in order to bond and come together as a community then what’s the problem? Maybe the comfort level of community members in Neenah decreases when they see “those kids”. Maybe their fear rises because they’re worried that their kids or grandkids could become one of “those kids”.
If the community of Neenah feels strongly about disbanding the Goths’- and take solace in being able to drive by a Goth-free park- then the people of Neenah should know that these Goths’ will congregate somewhere. I would much rather have a group of 50 kids peacefully assembled in a park than gathered at Perkin’s or in somebody’s home. I am basing my opinions of two variables. 1) The Goths’ are assembling peacefully. If they were not, then obvious laws dictate the consequences for any non-law abiding citizens. 2) The Goths’ feel some sort of community and togetherness at the park. I imagine that Goth’s have the same sort of camaraderie and closeness as fanatics who attend every event of their favorite team. If the team moves away in the middle of the night or is sold- the fanatics are left with only one other choice: find a new team.
It will be interesting to see how the events play out. Where will the Goths’ go? Will another community open their arms to the black-clothes-wearing-tatoo-sporting-facial-ring-having crowd? Maybe Neenah has lost a bit of culture- or the community may have restored a bit of sanity. Several different views to this…
I think that the city of neenah is just trying to make money of of certain group ethics. I wonder are the people for say are going to call the cops on their kids if they are there if they arnt there with a parent over 21. for them to say this they a racially not excepting one group. For teens this is one of those things that always happens.
I agree with everyones posts. It is very sad that people have to be singled out just because what they choose to put on in the morning. I know many of what people call "goths" and i dont know not one that is disrepectful of the community or anything of that matter. As haley said i've also been to not only Doty park but toher parks there and on really late nights and i've talked to cops and they have never told me anything of that matter. Lets say that these "goths" are breaking rules then yes there should be following action. But just because someone chooses to wear black is not a reason someone should not be allowed at a park at a certain time period.
Thanx for this Vinnie it means allot that you posted this article..........like i keep sayin your a good kid..............now because of that article i am writing and editorial for the news paper so hopefulley ill be in the news
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