Shawano, Wisc. — Kylee Jones’ 16-year-old autistic son has dealt with bullying since middle school. “And he doesn’t even act like it’s something that shouldn’t be happening and it’s not right. And no kid, no kid should go through that,” she said.
Jones is hopeful that a new City of Shawano ordinance makes parents more aware of how their kids may be acting towards other students. “I need to know that not just my kids are safe but all the kids are safe, you know, like this shouldn’t be happening,” said Jones.
To deter it from happening, police are now going to work with the Shawano School District to talk to parents of kids who are bullying.
Under the new ordinance, parents and guardians will have 90 days after they’re informed by a police offer of their child’s behavior to intervene. If the parent doesn’t stop their child from acting as a bully, the parent will be fined $366.
If there is a second offense within one year, the parent will be fined $681. Kylee Jones said, “Right now i think the fines should stay where they’re at. i feel like parents need to communicate with their kids more.”
Jones hopes the ordinance and steep fines will not only spark a conversation between parents and their kids, but that it will also make her community a safer place.
No one at the Shawano Police Department was available to speak about the new ordinance. The principal of Shawano Community High School says he’ll be meeting with the police department in the coming weeks to discuss how he and his staff will help implement the new ordinance when necessary.
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