Has anyone else in Ikego noticed the street gang that likes to just "hang out" at the base of the towers? Occasionally I get home real late, and I see things "gang" of about 6-7 kids just hanging out at all hours of the night on a street corner, or at the base of one of the towers. My wife heard them one night at around 2am when she was up feeding my youngest daughter...they were just camped out on the grass in one of the dark corners of our tower. Where are these kids parents? I don't care how old kids are, I personally don't find it acceptable having these kids just hanging out in some dark corner doing who knows what. I have become quite accepting of the feeling of safety being here in Japan. Do I need to move off a military base in order for my family to be safe?

-brian

This has been a problem since I moved here in June of 08. I lost my wallet within about 2 weeks of me moving here. It fell off my stroller while I was walking from the mini mart up the hill to my townhouse. I didn't have a car and I was pulling money out the ATM every night to get one. Needless to say, I had about 600 American dollars and about 200 in yen. The next day, I realized my wallet was gone and I realized exactly where I dropped it. My stroller had fallen over when my 2 year old decided she didn't want to ride anymore and wanted to walk, so she got out of the stroller and the bags pulled it over. Anyway, we were on the corner of Sasagayato and Shisagi. I called security, where they told me it had been turned in! I was over the moon! I went down there, and got it, and all my cash was gone. But, thankfully, my credit cards, social security info, military ID, etc, were all there. It had been found under Kyoto tower and a man and a small child had turned it in. Security didn't take a name so I could thank them. I asked them to run fingerprints to find out who stole my money and they looked at me and snickered. I had only been here a few weeks, so I didn't realize that security didn't care about anything that happens here. They wouldn't even make a report. It's a problem!!!!!! There are also problems with people taking up the PO spot at night and kids at the bus stop at 0630 scream at the top of their lungs but I've complained and complained. It doesn't help! Yet our kids, who go to Ikego are not allowed to walk behind Nara tower because of quiet hours at 7:55.

Just want to revise my previous comment. By all means I was not saying it's okay for teenagers to be out at 2am. I just meant you don't need to concerned for your safety to the point where you feel the need to move somewhere else. The teenagers here are just a pain in the ass. Don't be alarmed but don't ever let your guard down either. Good luck!

I don't think you need to feel unsafe since most of the kids on the base are just trying to be pains in the ass. As for lisa52lis5's comment "They are teenagers just hanging out." There is a curfew for all children 18 and younger on base... Even if there weren't a curfew, what kind of a parent has a child out at 2 a.m. on their own...never mind, I'll answer it for you "NON-PARENT".

I can not believe security isn't doing anything about it though...have you tried putting in a comment on ICE? Make sure you put "request a response" at the bottom of the page and fill in your contact information. You will receive a response from the LT in charge of those MAs and the CO of the base gets a copy of his response. Don't discount the ICE site...I use it all the time and get results all the time (not always the result I want...but a result).

Lisa,

I apologize, but I cannot see the excitement in standing around on a street corner. Perhaps I've grown to old to understand what excites teenagers these days. Perhaps you can enlighten me?

I know a 2 people in the navy (or were at least) that popped positive for drug use. if you think just because this is a military base there is no drug use then you are naïve.

No, I don't think that they are selling drugs. I have no idea what they are doing. I'm originally from NJ so therefore I always lock my doors on my vehicles and my home, and generally don't trust many people. I'm just stating that I know people out in town that have all kinds of electronics in their homes and leave it unlocked all day because it's that safe. I charge you with doing the same on the military base and see if you still have all of your stuff. I don't know if you were in the military or not, but I'm sorry it's not the upper crust of society that join the military. I had quite a few things stolen from me when I was on my ship which was a destroyer. Only 500ft long and no where to go when out at sea. People had Ipods stolen all the time on ship as well, thankfully I never did.

The bottom line is, I don't care if they are kids or adults. They shouldn't be "hanging out" in the middle of the night. Any place is boring at 2am, except maybe new york city. If they want, they can go up to Tokyo if they need some action. To say that "this place is boring..." then obviously you haven't ventured off base. The public transportation here is amazing and you can get just about anywhere. There isn't enough time in the day for all that I'd like to do here.



To Wilson:

That night they were outside our tower and were loud enough that my wife on the 8th floor could hear them we called security and they just asked them to move along. The next night I saw them hanging out somewhere else. We haven't ICE'd them, but perhaps it's time we did.

-brian

I've used ICE several times, and the only response I have ever receiived back was from the PO. I've ICED security here on base 3 times, as well as the safety office on Yokosuka, and never a word back.

Okay some people may find the teenage gang thing funny, but it just takes one time for something stupid to happen and then what? How funny would it be for one of them to die in a stupid teenage prank or for them to ACTUALLY be doing drugs, is it so impossible that they wouldn't be? Drugs can be acquired anywhere!!!! Or smoking and causing a fire?
I have to say that I am shocked at some of the kids I have come across since living here, and on main base! My husband has asked teenagers in the food court near the Exchange to stop swearing several times, as there have been toddlers about! I got told once, before I became a mother, that military kids were raised to be more well behaved and disciplined and now I just find this comment funny! No they are not... if anything they are worse! And I know its not all teenagers, just a few, but still! I have had my wrought iron poles outside my house (garden decor) bent over and had footballs kicked at our front door and candy wrappings left all over the park outside so the poor Japanese guys who do the maintenance have a ton of extra work! There are garbage bins there for the kids to use! And some of these kids have a bad attitude and are mouthy as well!
Its not that outrageous for people to want to live off base to feel safe! Teenagers these days can be very unstable, you just need to read stories like the recent one of a young 5 year old who was killed by a 15 year old girl and the baby in Bahrain who was killed by the babysitter (a teenager)! I personally don't find these funny! I am very concerned for my own kids, my son is very sociable, although he is only 2 at the moment, and he likes to say hi to other kids, and most of them just ignore him or push him over and bully him, I am sick of it!

Oh and Base Security, what exactly do they do? They spend most of the time holed up in the block car parks shooting the s&*t with each other and having a laugh!
The woman who had the money taken out of her purse and got laughed at by the police, you should have spoken to the OIC or taken it higher, these people are here to protect us and look out for our safety! Whatever!

Wilson: I didn't have a curfew growing up. There were times when I was out during odd hours of the night. Im a good person and my parents raised me just fine. Are you saying you never did anything crazy when you were a teenager? Never mind, don't answer that. lol Although I will agree with you, teenagers on base are a pain in the ass.

Brian: As for the drug comment I made. I was just using that as an example. In my opinion, I don't think a few teenagers (doing who knows what) should make you feel unsafe to the point where you feel the need to move somewhere else.
Also...I don't think just because we are on a military base there is no drug use. I know there are plenty of dirt bags in the military whether we would like to admit it or not.

Teenagers can't venture off base whenever. Going off base also requires money. They will more than likely need more money then what they get as an allowance in order venture out. I had a teenager living with us for a few months. He hated it here. There is nothing to do for the teenagers in Ikego. We have a teen center but what teenager wants to be supervised all day? Im not trying to say it's okay for kids to be out at 2am but they are not dangerous either. I believe I know what group of kids you are referring to. I hope your problem resolves soon. I wouldn't want teenagers hanging around my house either. But if you find an egg on your car then at least you will know who did it . j/k JOKING...

Jo: No one said anything about the incident that happened in Bahrain rain was funny. The gang comment was funny to me though. Im not going to get into the reasons why but just know I lived in the "ghetto" growing up. As for your comment " it just takes one time for something stupid to happen and then what?" That can happen to anyone.

I will admit teenagers are a little out of control these days. You can blame most of that on the entertainment world. Hopefully when my children become teenagers they will be well behaved. Im keeping my fingers crossed

Yes it could happen to anyone but we are not talking about anyone, we're talking about the teen problem specifically and that they cause more problems than anyone else on base! Except for may be a few drunk sailors, but that is usually out in town anyway!
I was also brought up in the East End of London and this place is known as one of the more dangerous parts of London! I saw enough stuff growing up to know that things can get out of hand, we had a kid at our school have his house burnt down by a teenage gang and all his family were killed except one sister! This was a race issue at the time!
I just think people should keep a watchful eye on the teens and may be their parents should respect the curfew too! They are there for a reason!
I am also hoping when my kids become teens they will be well behaved too and I will make sure I do all I can to hope this happens and teach them respect, and to take responsibility for their actions..... ;-)
Oh and the Bahrain incident, I was just using as an example, I didn't for a minute think anyone would find it funny!!!!

Lisa,

I was speaking in generalizations, as far as being safe. How would you like your 13 year old girl or boy walking home from the minimart around 6pm when its dark and come across 6 teenagers just standing around on the street corner. Do you think the child would feel especially safe? Very doubtful. I see kids that age walking around all over the place out in town.

I don't blame the entertainment industry..I blame the parents and today's society. As a parent myself I cant' see any good reason to let my kids be out "hanging out" on a street corner into the wee hours of the night. I personally never saw the excitement in standing around on a street corner, or the mall, or at the local 7-11 for hours on end. I had a paper route from age 10-15 then started working real jobs from 15 on up to the present.

True that there isn't a lot to do in ikego and yes it does cost money to take the train....however how much does it really cost to take the train to the main base where there is tons for kids to do? 5 bucks round trip? There's the movies, basketball/gymnasium, swimming, video game arcade, bowling...lots to do. If these kids have no money and are trying to live off an allowance, then it's their own fault for not having money. I see younger adults working all kinds of jobs around the base earning their keep.

The bottom line to this rant is that I don't believe kids should be hanging out late at night on street corners or in the shadows of the towers.

you know i in some way agree with you all about the way some of these kids act but i belive it is down write rude and dumb to put all people in to one group like the lady that said basicaly only loosers joint the navy or service or that all kids on base have no mannors or any of that yes their are some bad like anywere else you go one bad appel can ruin thr bunch but theire not all bad and i belive there are more good and come on with the kids hanging out yes if there being loud or doing drugs or somthing the yeas something should be done but if not kids will be kids i know when i was younger i sisnt always do the smatest things but hey wich one of us could say that we did we wernet born adults so i say give them a break and rember what you were like at thier age but againg if they are being loud disrepectful or doing somthing aginst the law then say something call base police and if that done work the CMC has an open door policy rmmber everyone has a boss but dont puish them for just being kids they will learn as time goes on just as we wll did

Oh boy. Here we go.
I do not live at Ikego, and have not seen this particular gaggle of youth, but the problem is hardly isolated. The larger issue here is that often the teenagers in our community behave in a way that offends or worries joe sixpack when that teenager's parents are not around.



Spitting on the sidewalk, throwing a shoulder, wearing clearly inappropriate (and I quote, "Porn Star" t-shirt) clothing, blaring music from a cellphone in a public space, or hanging out in public in the wee hours--any of these are problems for a community.


It may seem reasonable for a single person, but if the community allows that sort of abuse of or affront to many by just a few, then there is no community.



It is particularly galling to hear people object to complaints about this behavior with the lame argument that these teenagers are "just being kids". By that token, the people who voice their concerns about this inappropriate behavior are "just being adults", so there went that argument.



And for the lady, whoever you are, who "hopes" that your kids will be well-behaved, while making excuses for some creepy behavior from other kids--good luck with that. The parents who are concerned enough about the clusters of youth hanging out unsupervised wa-a-ay past midnight are the people who I would want watching my kids in a pinch--not you.



And it's not personal--I don't know any of you. Perhaps if we met we would all have a big laugh. But from what I have read so far, I cannot believe that all of the people purporting to be parents here actually are.




Frankly, I think this forum is overrun with dependent teens pretending to be adults.


Just like Ikego.

Oh my god! Bernie, I really hope you are not talking about my post, and my comments being dumb! If you actually took time to read people's comments before making your own then a) you will see that NO-ONE said that only losers join the Navy I mentioned a few drunk sailors out in town who misbehave and b) I did not generalize all teenagers as a problem, if you read properly you would see that I also put "this is not all teenagers, just a few"....
My husband and most of my friends and family have a husband/wife in the Navy or Air Force so please do not ever think for a moment that I or anyone else think the people who serve are losers, please do us a favor an keep those comments to yourself they really are not justified!
Not wanting to justify myself too much, I don't ever make the mistake of stereotyping people!
Shows how people can twist stuff around and a classic example of how things can get out out hand!
From what I see on here there are a lot more people who feel this is a problem then those who don't! And saying that we should remember what we were like at that age!!! Back when I was a teen, we would never have imagined doing half the stuff that SOME kids do these days, and drugs for us definitely weren't a problem, may be odd crafty cigarette!

Haakondahl - You make some very good points.....

hahaha I see than many of you have never lived in the projects. the towers resemble the projects in most congested cities. Teens hangout in these places because they think its cool and they dont have anything other than that to do at 2am. Yes there asses should be asleep by that time and yes they do need to keep it down. If security was doing there job they would lock there asses up and make the parents come get them during there free time. I have a solution for you all..Beat them. Beat your kids people. you know damn well they should have there asses in the house by then. Also as for them making noise in the morning and being asses on the home to work bus, kick them off make them have to take the train to school or walk. Why are we being so damn soft on these kids? I hate teenagers so much its unreal, i dont stop for them at cross walks anymore. Teach you damn kids to be respectful in public and teach them some damn values. Now i know not all teenagers are like this but it ony take a few to screw it up for the rest and it seems that ikego and yokosuka havs plenty.

They keeping you up at night? Call security and make sure you take down the name of the person you talked to on the phone. if they dont show up and clear them out report there asses and see how fast they show up next time.

They make noise in the morning at the buss stop? report it and take down the name of the person you talked to. If they dont take care of it keep reporting it because if they keep getting complaints they will have to move the bus stop to a much more inconvenient location like at the bottom of that big ass hill, it make me smile to watch there out of shape asses walk up it in the afternoons.

a good friend told me something one day
"I beat my child now so the police dont beat his ass later in life"

Not every kid needs this type of parenting but some kids just need someone to keep a foot park between the cheeks.

Primemas, you said it perfectly.
The next step is to go back to the old navy way of holding the service member responsible for the dependants. As a parent of 2 teenagers, I know I don’t allow my kids out after curfew.
Rules are rules, agree to follow them or stay off the base. Access to base is a privilege not a right.

I had to ask a kid 3 times to "please excuse me today' as I was trying to get down to the CDC with my baby in the stroller, he just kept talking to his friend and ignoring me! No wonder people get so damn mad at these kids....

Hawk!!!

Not to call you out or anything, but you told a fib! I quote, "And it's not personal--I don't know any of you."... YOU KNOW ME

Anyway..>I agree with everything that man said<

As for Bernie's post...I agree with some of what you say, but I believe you are missing the point. There are all kinds of good people out there, but the purpose of this thread is to talk about a certain bunch of teenagers who also belong to a grouping of "Yokosuka Naval Base Teens" and by the numbers I will bet you a week of dinners that the majority are not the tip of the crop. I have known several outstanding kids over the past 16 years of living here that were just above and beyond reproach; however, the majority of the kids I see (at Main Street, in the NEX, walking down the street...at the gym) are down right rude, obnoxious, disrespectful and "gangsta like" (misspelled for a reason!). This is NOT their faults...this is only two (sometimes one) persons' fault and that would be the parent(s). If you want to say "it is dumb" to say what I just said then I ask you to meet me any day you want over at Main Street during lunch when the "herd" comes from Kinnick for their lunch and see the absolutely worst of Yokosuka teens...

So to reiterate the original purpose of this thread... At Ikego there is a group of teens out at all hours of the night including 1~2 a.m. that are just like a street gang (NOT IS a street gang, but JUST like). I don't live in Ikego, but I don't doubt this lady/gentleman's post one bit! If you find this thread humorous then please go to Google News and type in "Richmond High School" and see what happened when a few kids were "bored" and just wanted to HANG OUT. If you aren't humbled by that...then DAMN is all I can say!

Unfortunatley you are all feeling the pain of the relaxed standards that the base allows. Security does not do their job on any of the bases. Simple enforcement of the current rules would suffice in 90% of the cases I have seen, be it teens at 0200, or the idiot talking on the cell phone while swerving back and forth across two lanes.

The primary problem with the Security personnel is that they see no concrete actions taken against the perpetrators so they decide not to take action. responsibility starts at the top and works its way down.

That's a good point about the cell phones. I was under the impression that it was illegal to talk on your cell phone on base or off base. The other day, I followed a car into Ikego who had been talking on a cell phone since she left Yokosuka. She hung up before she came thru the gate here. So, I asked the gate guard, if you were allowed to use your cell out in town. He said, and I quote......"I have no idea. You cannot talk on base on a cell. That's all I know." I'm pretty sure in AOB they said no cells anywhere and we weren't allowed to use handfree ear pieces because we are SOFA sponsored, which includes driving while listening to IPODS or otherwise. Can someone clarify the rules about using cell phones here in Japan?

Ordie..

I have started a new post for people to discuss laws while driving in Japan:

You can follow up your questions there..

http://www.yokosukabase.com/forums/.../1081.aspx

Was this blog deleted, or what? How did it change from Ikego Street Gangs to Driving in Japan?

You are all stupid for bashing security for doing their jobs do you have nothing better to do and did you guys not have lives as kids.

Sorry Lazarus but the point was they were not doing their jobs. Besides, just because you're a teenager does not give you the right to be rude, a jerk, break rules/laws or anything else along those lines. There are some well behaved teenagers and that's what we are hoping for these teenagers to become.

well first of all common sense indicates keep calling security and they will deal with these kids what do you expect them to do with these kids beat them and put them in jail there it is

I expect there to be punishment for them breaking the rules. Just like I expect the people who keep parking illegally next to Ise tower to get a ticket. Hopefully security does do something if people keep reporting them.

Kendra,
It won't do any good to complain. The reason people park in Ise is because resident take up the post office spots, so it's a catch 22 really. And I have witnessed security individuals walk right by those spots and see the same cars there for hours, and not do anything. There is a lack of accountability on this base and this whole area from what I've seen. There are some great things about this base as well. It's not all bad. But, I find that using ICE or complaining do no good. I have complained I don't know how many times about the children at the bus stop outside my unit who are screaming at 0615. They wake up my kids everyday, and nobody will do anything about it. Maybe the new OIC will help. Something has to be done because people are getting fed up and they are going to start taking matters into their own hands.

Sometimes there will be 3 or all 4 parking spots open in front of the post office but because people are hideously lazy they'll still park where they're not allowed. Hopefully the new OIC will help because somethings got to change. Well I did report one car parked illegally (the person had did it multiple days and all day long, so yes a tower resident) and he got a ticket. One person told me it belonged to someone who worked security so they got their privilege taken away but it seems for both problems they just put up signs so nothing changes because signs do nothing.

You know what I think the problem is? People don't beat their children anymore. I'm just sayin'.

Keith! LOL. I spank. Oh NO!!!! I admitted it in public. Kids need discipline. Period.

but these kids do not commit violent acts or crimes so how can they be considered gangs i mean i went to high school with gang memebers a military suburb such as ikego contains no gangs besides who didnt play on the streets as a kid with games such as kickball and hockey and stuff

at one time, kids playing in the street was a good, healthy, normal thing. there were no xboxes or playstations. now it means that they're doing drugs, causing mischief, generally up to no good or in a gang. welcome to the 2000's.

Grabbed this from another forum:

U.S. military authorities are refusing to hand over four children of American servicemen sought for the attempted murder of a motorcyclist in western Tokyo, sources said.

According to police, the four, aged between 15 and 18, stretched a rope across a road, knocking a 23-year-old company employee from her motorcycle around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 13. The woman suffered a fractured skull.

Japanese police are treating the case as attempted murder.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for the teens, whose parents serve at Yokota Air Base, on Nov. 24, but the U.S. military has refused to comply, the sources said.

The police were forced to obtain a new arrest warrant Tuesday because of the delay and are pressing the U.S. military authorities to cooperate.

The four were identified as suspects based on witness accounts and security camera footage.(IHT/Asahi: December 3,2009)

This is what happens when parents DO NOT discipline their kids. Why have children if you aren't go to take care of them?

I agree with Primemas. Kids are SOOO rude on the bases. I absolutely DO NOT think that dependent children should be able to drive either. Let them wait til the get back to the U.S. for that. There are already too many people driving on base with some kids texting or talking with their friends while driving. I ALSO want to run their A$$s over in the crosswalks near the Food Court and the High School.. they take their time and look at you with attitude if you try to get by them.
OK... enough ranting. LOL!!

I agree with Primemas and Navychick. This base has, by far, the worst group of dependent children I've ever seen. And apparently it's not something new, either, from looking at some other forum posts that were made years ago on other websites. What is it with this base? And why will I not be surprised if us sailors wind up having to pay a price for these kids?

I think some people have lost sight of my original post. The kids in question aren't just some fun loving group of kids just having fun like the good old days. Kickball? Hockey? I used to play those out in the street. That is, during the DAYTIME. I'm talking about midnight or so people.

I haven't seen these kids around lately, perhaps the cold weather has gotten them to find someplace better to hang out.

Quote: "You are all stupid for bashing security for doing their jobs do you have nothing better to do and did you guys not have lives as kids."

Don't you have anything better to do then troll the forums? I don't think anyone was really bashing security for not doing their job...I know I was, in particular, bashing parents for not doing their job...and yes, I had a life as a kid. I worked from the age of 15 up, bought my own car when I hit 17, had money to spend on nights out with girlfriends etc. Do I consider standing on some street corner or leaning up against a building at 1am to have a life? No, I say again no. If you believe that's called having a life then you, my friend, are truely missing out.

Just a hint - has anyone read the post "US refuses to hand over suspects"???
I know its nothing to do with the kids hanging around the high rises etc. but its a damn good example of what some teens think of as "fun"!!!!

"Spare the taser and spoil the child" is what say! That being say I agree the their are some lousy parents in Yokosuka ( mostly officer and senior enlisted , leadership experts don't ya know). But what are these kids actually doing, sitting around smoking kools shooting breeze and just being teenagers or are they destroying property and threating residents with violence? Brian you sound like a coward,if you have a problem with them go ask them what they are doing and get their names. It won't be long before some of those kids are in Iraq and Afganistan fighting and dying. You need to grow up or lighten up, better yet move off base.

Slick,

I read somewhere in another post that you are an older retired guy. Do you really need to resort to name calling? You only prove my point about some people never moving out of the high school mentality.

By all means if calling people names gives meaning to your....life....then whatever. I have nothing to prove to anyone, and certainly not you. I joined my local fire department after 9/11 and fought fires for 3 years, was an EMT for a year. I served in the military, and was floating off the coast of the gulf doing my part which is more than I can say for most people in the U.S. these days. I'm married, have 2 kids and live a wonderful life. I could give 2 craps what you think of me. I find it slightly humorous that most people thought you were a young punk stirring up trouble but as soon as they found out you were an old retired guy it became totally acceptable. I guess you don't realize that without identifying who you were people just assumed you were some high school punk. Tells you something about your posts, doesn't it? Until you make some mature, intelligent points in your posts, I'll know to just disregard anything you say.

Take your own advice and grow up.

p.s. you will also notice in my original post I was concerned about keeping my family safe ie my kids and wife. I'm not worried about myself.

What constitutes a Gang? 4 or 5 kids that are hanging out together? Are they robbing at knife point, stealing, vandalizing, extorting, doing drive by shootings? Do we have kids that misbehave? Certainly. Are all of the gatherings of kids bad kids, no. Here kids are not able to hide, most have to stay on base, are easily observed, security even gets a feel for who the bad kids are...I wish they had the room and areas to go out and do things like some of us did...here they cant climb the hills...no king of the mountain, no bb gun wars, everywhere you ride a bike has cars passing through too, they can and do hang out at the parking garages, next to the elementary school drinking and smoking spice now and then where they think no one knows...overall the kids here arent that bad and when they are they get CAF once or twice and get booted from Japan...Kids here do get bored, you can only play so many video games before it is over and time to go out and live one out...If more parents got out with their kids and did something together less issues would result. To me GANG and group of kids are not the same thing.

I didn't write the post to argue semantics of the word gang. This is from dictionary.com:

gang

–noun

1. a group or band: A gang of boys gathered around the winning pitcher.

2. a group of youngsters or adolescents who associate closely, often exclusively, for social reasons, esp. such a group engaging in delinquent behavior.

3. a group of people with compatible tastes or mutual interests who gather together for social reasons: I'm throwing a party for the gang I bowl with.

4. a group of persons working together; squad; shift: a gang of laborers.

5. a group of persons associated for some criminal or other antisocial purpose: a gang of thieves.

etc.

When I was young my friends and I formed what we called a "Bike Gang" and we used to get together and go ride our bikes all over the neighborhoods for exploration and to pass the time. As I got older, I would tell my mom on my way out "Hey, going to go hang out with the gang, see you later.

Just to be clear about the facts of my original rant:


There is/were a group of kids (be them from harvard or the inner city or wherever) hanging out on the street corners and in the dark corners of some of the towers at odd hours of the night.

IN MY OPINION and as a parent I feel that I wouldn't allow my children to be out to all hours of the night sitting on some street corner. I don't think it gives women a warm and fuzzy feeling should they come walking home from somewhere alone and come across of 6-8 kids/young adults. I'm sure they would think twice about crossing in front of them and consider crossing the street to avoid them. It's human nature.

My concern and intent of the post was raising awareness through my rant so that other people out there are aware of this group of kids. Do I think they are going to jump someone and rape them? No, of course not...well at least I would certainly hope not. However given today's society it is entirely possible. I never said they were bad kids. I never said they were drinking. I never said they were doing drugs. I never said they were raping and pillaging the local townspeople. I just said that I feel these kids should ideally be at someone's house doing whatever they are doing not being out on the street corners.

Gotcha Brian, I like your posts...agree, I think I was getting on someone elses views... again like your posts!

Once again I ask, if these kids bother you so much why are you depending on someone else to confront them, what are you afraid of. I seriously doubt this "gang" will do you physical harm, why not show your civic mindedness and invite them into your home instead of leaving sit outside in the cold. You might find out that they aren't as evil as you believe.

I'll have to re-read my posts since this discussion has gone on for a while...but is there someone where I'm asking someone to confront them? As for inviting them in my small 3 bedroom apartment with my wife, 2 kids and all of their toys, what would I offer them in the way of entertainment? They could play with my daughter's dolls, but I don't think that would really entertain them much.

I had a bit more time for "civic mindedness" before i had kids, doing the firefighting/EMT thing, getting up at all hours of the night on weekdays and weekends to rescue cats (yes I had to pull a cat out of a roof), fight fires (building and car fires...nothing like having 4 tires explode at the same time during a fully involved car fire), extract people from car accidents. I haven't really had the time to do much lately as I'm busy with my kids. I plan on doing the coach or den father thing when they are old enough, if time allows.

As a retiree I'm sure you have a LOT of time and are doing a lot for the community with your spare time. This is where you can prove you aren't a hypocrite and talk about the many things you personally do for the community with your own civic mindedness.

I must admit to you that i was one of those kids hanging out during those late hours in the streets of Ikego. Even Though you may find it odd that one of the "Gang members" themselves has made a contribution to this discussion, I feel like i should let you know what is going on.

I was a dependent in japan living in yokosuka naval base. Im 18 years old and finished high school and i am now off at University. During my time in japan, was one of the most fun times i have had through out my high school life. I was and still am what you call the "typical" teenager. most like rebellling against society, rebeling against our parents and so on.

It seems like most of you have problems with the teenagers within japan, however are they any different to any other teenager. I act like i am still not a teenager, however i am aware that i still am, but i feel you need a teenagers point of view.

I am not trying to protect or stand up for the "teenagers," however i feel that you have all got the wrong impression. During the summer of 09 i found myself in the parts of ikego behind a tower at 2am. During that time i had never been "told off" or even "asked" to move. After i while we all tend to abuse places and just seem to go back to the same place untill we either get bored, or "get caught." My whole reasoning for this post is to let you know that yes we hang out at ridiculous hours and yes we might cause a little distress amongst the community, however there arent many teenagers who will go the length of doing any serious harm to anyone. I know most of the kids in high school in yokosuka and Ikego, and i can assure you that it shouldnt stop you from moving away. I encourage that you should call security again and again and again, and the teenagers will stop going to those places.

After being "told off" by the security for hanging out in certain areas, my friends and I never seemed to go back to the area. or atleast be more discrete if we did go back. I can assure you there is not much to worry about and If you just get security, the teenagers will get the point.

Once again i am not trying to defend teenagers, i am just letting you know that you shouldnt feel unsafe. Japan was probably the most safe places i have been to and you should find yourself lucky being stationed there. I wish you all the best trying to get those kids away. and i appologize for any distress that i may have caused during my time of hanging out under the Ikego towers.

P.S. not all teenagers in japan are the same, we are not all like the stupid kids who pulled up a rope on a motorcylcist. That is just plain stupid. Even my friends and I agree.

btw its not the parents "fault." This is no the result of bad parenting. I can assure you these kids are out without parent permission, just like that of myself and my friends. Teenagers will be teenagers, not matter where they are.

Dear Jay123 - Your blog moved me. It came from the heart and reminded me that we adults were all teenagers once and must remember that delicate age.

rotsa ruck, i think you definitely drove a strong point home with your post. It's perfectly fine to want the best for your children and your families, and to want them to be safe, and of course there will be a little paranoia that comes with that. At some point we all grow up and put those young days behind us, and some tend to forget what it was like at that age. Some of the things they do are unacceptable (ie, knocking people off their bikes), but if they're hanging out near the towers late at night, and they're not bothering anyone, what's the big deal? Personally, I think that, as time progresses, people become more and more afraid of giving their children any type of exposure. And this is robbing them a lot of things they'll need later in life. Experience is probably one of the best teachers out there.

Jay,

Excellent post. I'm glad that you decided to give a voice to the teenagers that I have seen. Up until now it's just been conjecture.

I appreciate you posting in adult manner. Hopefully some of the adults on this board can take your example with some of the postings they make.

I hope you can understand the trepidation that some people feel when they see a group of 6-7 individuals sitting in the shadows or hanging out on the corner.

I hope you can also understand the worry should one of your parents awoken and found you not in your bed, and not known where you were. My kids are still quite young, I'm not very eager for the time when they are teenagers and start sneaking out at late hours.

Thanks again for dropping by.

Are there no CFAY sponsored forced labor programs for these thugs?

[quote]Once again i am not trying to defend teenagers, i am just letting you know that you shouldnt feel unsafe. Japan was probably the most safe places i have been to and you should find yourself lucky being stationed there.[/quote]

True