Author Topic: Children left in cars, cars stolen (Read 347 times)

mauser · « **on:** October 21, 2005, 12:21:27 PM »

This is one of the big things in our local news (besides the gas cap). We've had four incidents so far this year of people leaving their kids in the car (engine running) while they run a "quick" errand. See:

http://starbulletin.com/2005/10/21/news/story02.html

According to the Kids in Cars website, our state is one of many where legislation has been proposed to make it illegal to leave your kid unattended in your car. There are already 13 states with laws in place.

In my opinion it is foolish to do what these parents did. Either take the time to bring the kid in with you (unbuckle car seat, take out stroller, etc.) or have someone else run the errand if possible. Or bring a friend along. However, I'm not so sure about a legislative solution to this. It just sounds like trying to legislate foolishness - which seems to fail for the most part. How are your state laws doing in curbing this?

Chairboy · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2005, 02:27:24 PM »

Making new laws to curb this is not the way to fix it. There are already existing laws that can be enforced, and a public awareness campaign will do more to prevent this than any new law.

Look at how many laws we already have, there's no way to stay abreast of all of them.

If your kid is in your car when it is stolen because you ran into the grocery mart, then bam, sounds like aggravated child endandgerment or whatever it's called when you leave your kid unattended at home.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2005, 02:33:21 PM »

I dont know if its right or wrong to legislate what should be logical. But one thing I've found in life is that there is nothing "common" about "common sense". Matter of fact, the average person does some pretty stupid things during the course of a day. Especially if they know no one is going to do anything to them for it.

What is the most common major crime committed here? Auto theft. You gonna not only leave your keys in the car, but leave it RUNNING? And then expect a car theif NOT to take your car? In my mind, parents who leave their kids in a running car just to do a "quick" errand ARE endangering their kids, because they KNOW there's a damn good chance that car will get stolen! If they stop to use their brains for one second they would know that. Leaving the kids in the car is just lazy. If they do this they deserve what they get. I'm sorry, in most cases I am all for promoting the responsibility of the individual, not enforcing it through laws. But we are talking about little kids here, that are unable to look out for themselves. The parents are supposed to do that, and keep them safe. If they are failing because of sheer laziness then we need to provide an incentive to make them do the right thing.

When my son was young enough to be in a car seat, even going to the gas station and filling the car up, when I was done I unbuckled him, carried him inside, paid and put him back in the seat to leave. Even for a 30 second "errand" I NEVER left him in the car. I may not ever win any award for being a good father, but I love my son more than anything. No way was I taking a chance. If these parents care about their kids, then they need to be put on notice that bad things happen if you leave them in the car. Ignore that warning, bad things might happen to you.

Maverick · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2005, 02:35:41 PM »

Not to make light of the situation. At least in Hawaii they won't be going out of the state in the car......

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 21, 2005, 02:37:38 PM »

Chairboy, the problem here is there are no specifics on child endangerment, and there is no precedent in this type of thing. Also, the wording of the law here says that you have to show that the parent willfully endangered a child in such a way as to cause them bodily harm. That cant necessarily be proven. None of these recent cases has resulted in a child being harmed. Auto theft is common here. Crimes against children are not so common. I dont think this is the best route, but right now its the best one being offered to prevent reoccurance. If a better alternative comes along, I'll support it.

mauser · « **Reply #5 on:** October 21, 2005, 04:49:41 PM »

I guess we can agree that legislation is not the best way to handle this problem.

Any information from other members here how well their laws have worked? I don't expect that enacting the laws would have stopped any future occurance of the problem (it doesn't with any other law and any other problem), but have they had any significant effect? I guess there needs to be some way to interrupt the "I'll only be a few seconds" thought process whether via law or another external force maybe like community ostracism / shame like in Japan.

Hangtime · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2005, 05:25:59 PM »

Jeezzus grapefruit, not another dum-ass feel good law, please.

Your state doesn't have child endangerment statutes already? For that matter, what state does NOT have child endangerment statutes?

This is BS.

LePaul · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2005, 06:48:58 PM »

Oh geez, like Hang said...a *feel* good law.

So, forget common sense...are people really this numb that you have to make it a law?

The prisons will be over flowing when they make it illegal to pick your nose while driving.

Vulcan · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2005, 07:04:51 PM »

Issue the kids with concealed carry permits!

mauser · « **Reply #9 on:** October 21, 2005, 07:05:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by LePaul
Oh geez, like Hang said...a *feel* good law.

So, forget common sense...are people really this numb that you have to make it a law?

The prisons will be over flowing when they make it illegal to pick your nose while driving.

Actually the prisons are overflowing... the state sent inmates to prisons in Arizona, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Kentucky at the cost of millions.

A decade of Hawai'i prison policy

What a big CF

SOB · « **Reply #10 on:** October 21, 2005, 08:26:58 PM »

You guys should start sacrificing people to the volcanos again.

eagl · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2005, 09:02:25 PM »

I think there should be a law. There have been hundreds of horror stories in the last 50 years of kids/pets dying from heat after being left in cars unattended, plus stories of kids going in stolen cars after being left behind, but people still do it even with all the stories.

People have had their chance to be smart about it... Anyone who leaves their kids unattended in cars are criminally negligent, period. I had to chase a kid out into a busy street 'cause his parents let him play in a parked car and he copied what he'd seen his parents do and released the brake and put it in neutral, then rolled into the street. Criminal negligence on the part of the parents IMHO.

It happens over and over, and still people do it. It's pure laziness, leaving kids in the car.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #12 on:** October 26, 2005, 06:47:48 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SOB
You guys should start sacrificing people to the volcanoes again.

vorticon · « **Reply #13 on:** October 26, 2005, 07:24:04 PM »

"Anyone who leaves their kids unattended in cars are criminally negligent, period. "

****, im the child of a criminal then...of course, i always had the sense to roll down the windows when it started getting hot, or simply get out and wait, and apparently the differencee in jail times for kidnapping and simple auto theft are enough in canada to serve as a great detterent, ...kids cant do that these days though, cars have electric things for rolling down windows, and silly locks that kids cant unlock...