Wisconsin Town Allows Authorities to Fine Parents of Bullies
Bullying has reached epidemic proportions and officials all across the country are putting measures in place to protect students. But a Wisconsin city has gone a step further by passing an ordinance which allows the parents of bullies to be fined. Does that seem fair?
The city of Monona has passed a "parent liability" clause which allows police to issue a summons to the parents of bullies. Once parents show up in court, they can be fined $114 for the first offense and $177 for each subsequent violation within a year.
According to Monona Police Chief Wally Ostrenga, the ordinance isn't meant for parents who attempt to correct bullying behavior. Instead, the clause will only be put into effect when parents are "obstructive" or "uncooperative."
"Sometimes you’ll knock on someone’s door and they won’t want to talk to you — their kids are perfect, they could never do anything wrong," said Ostrenga. "This is for those times when we get the door slammed in our faces."
The ordinance was reportedly inspired by research showing that most recent school shootings have been carried out by individuals who were bullied themselves.
What do you think? Should the parents of bullies be held accountable? Or does this place unfair blame?