– Letter to the Editor –

Common Sense Solution to Potential Problems Like Domestic Abuse In the Aug. 8 edition of the Courier Sentinel, my comments on the subject of juvenile runaways to the Cornell City Council was reported.

For one of my suggestions, we read the following: “Johnson also asked that, as people of influence, council members begin conversations when appropriate, in the community, about the importance of communication between parents. For example, Johnson says if a child unexpectedly comes over to a house, a parent should make contact with other parent(s), to make sure the child has permission to be there. ‘And I think that having those kind of conversations... may be helpful,’ said Johnson.” I still believe that communication between parents is helpful in the case of minor children. Some might not even know that a child has run away.

The problem of a juvenile runaway may be related to more than one problem in the child’s life or at home, and while such communication between parents does not prevent juvenile runaways from occurring, it may alleviate some of the issues surrounding the runaway case, if it is appropriate. For example, as a downstream effect, communication between parents can, and often does, foster trust and regard for parents with their own children.

This can enhance the relationships between the children and parents. As a byproduct, communication between parents also helps in the search for the child. I want to emphasize that this is not the council’s job or an ordinance issue for the council. Nor do communities raise children.

But, I did want to put the problem of juvenile runaways into the sunlight and hopefully kickstart discussions, knowing that the issue exists. As we love our neighbors, we don’t pretend to parent other’s kids, but communication amongst adults does point other’s kids to their own parents, when they want to enter our properties.

However, what happens if a child or multiple kids are running away, because of a dark problem, like domestic abuse? Many seek to show compassion to children who show up at their home/property and this is admirable. However, if there is an issue like domestic abuse, what seems like a common sense solution, would then be to also report this to law enforcement.

A place of refuge in the case of domestic abuse should be guided by law enforcement, so that over the long-term, vulnerable kids do not fall sway to further issues. That way, the compassion we hopefully have for all kids, intersects with both short and long-term help.

I want to thank law enforcement for their continued diligent work to handle thousands of issues. We support you as a community, and I support the work that you do to protect the vulnerable and to serve. I’m also thankful that many in the city seek to show compassion and for the council’s listening ear.

Andrew Johnson, Cornell