Last month, as we all know, wildfires in California charred over 508,000 acres of land reducing 1600 homes to ash and killing at least 14 people. This was one of California’s worst disasters and one of the worst in U.S. history to be sure. As the Gorilla watched the news coverage, he was touched by the massive efforts of the fire department, law enforcement, Red Cross, and all of the many volunteers, who participated in containing the fire. Thousands of people were enlisted to help out, and certainly the entire state of California was emotionally drained and exhausted by the time the fire was under control.
The Gorilla was also incredibly frustrated (like so many of us) to hear that this massive disaster could quite possibly have been caused by an arsonist. The Gorilla remembers quite well what was going through his mind when the news came out that it was actually caused by a negligent child- a ten year old boy- who was simply playing with matches. It is hard not to get enraged by this fact, but after all, it was just a young boy who made a mistake right? What is even more disturbing, is the fact that this 10-year-old boy will have virtually no consequences to face for committing this terrible- albeit unintentional-act.
California prosecutors announced yesterday that they will not, in fact, file charges against this boy who admitted he started the fire, while playing with matches in his parents back yard last month. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office stated that “there is no evidence that the boy intended to ignite the brush outside his house, while playing with matches.” So authorities are reportedly referring the case to the Department of Children and Family Services to determine if further steps are necessary. That’s it? Hey, the Gorilla has kids, and he understands that children often make mistakes, ones that occasionally even cause harm to others, but then what action do we, as parents, take? We punish them, mistake or not. That is, if we are in fact, good responsible adults. It is completely and totally outrageous that this child was not punished in some way for this ENORMOUS mistake in judgement. The Los Angeles prosecutors office could very likely have many enraged citizens to answer to as fall-out from this (what the Gorilla considers) unwise decision.
If the Gorilla sounds harsh, do not misjudge him: He realizes that this was just a young boy and yes, he feels sorry for him. But that does not excuse the harm this boy caused to an entire state and thousands of people. His actions caused people to lose their lives. It should NOT be downplayed just because in our hearts we want to feel sorry for this child. The Gorilla feels sorry for the thousands who lost their homes and the many who lost loved ones. Hasn’t the prosecutor’s office ever heard of community service? This boy probably wouldn’t have been remanded to do more than that as a punishment, but at least he would have to reckon with what he did to people. The Gorilla’s heart goes out to any and all who have suffered as a result of this tragedy
November 14th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
I am in complete agreement with the Gorilla. Prosecutors often handle child crimes with “kid gloves” so as not to cause an outrage with the citizens. People do tend to get upset when a child is punished. Even when it is intentional. Understandably, society hates to see children suffer. But yes, that being said, I still think this kid should have been prosecuted. I read that the parents may be held civilly liable for this child and I think that’s at least a good thing if it actually happens. Someone must be held accountable for this. Yes, it was just too big of a mistake to just let go. Hopefully there will be some justice.
November 15th, 2007 at 8:20 am
I live in California and have dealt with many fires this season. The constant ash in the air makes it hard to breathe and the ash on the ground makes its way inside the house to cover everything.
About a month ago, a neighbors house caught fire. Two elderly women were cooking and must have left the room for a bit. The kitchen caught fire which made its way up into the attic and then through the walls and roof. My only action was to rush over there to clear the house of occupants. The only two I found were the elderly women. Two neighbors climbed onto the roof with a garden hose, but this didn’t help. Four engines responded including a hook and ladder truck (that is a big truck and can actually make turns that I wouldn’t have thought possible because of the rear steering wheel). The firemen were able to extinguish the blaze and all of us neighbors were able to get back to our lives but that home was severely damaged.
Should the women be prosecuted for this? Does it make a difference whether they are the homeowners or just renting the home? Did their mistake in judgement constitute a crime, bad judgement, or just an accident?
When thinking about this boy and possible consequences, you have to consider whether a crime was committed. If it wasn’t illegal to use matches in the backyard of their home, then a crime hasn’t been commited. Unless you can prove the boy intended to catch the brush on fire, it isn’t arson.
While it is tragic that lives were lost and so many homes destroyed and the air quality affected for millions of people, etc., one needs to make any punishment commensurate with the crime.
When a worked caught brush on fire in California this summer, it was because he was sharpening tools in an area where that was illegal, due to the risk of igniting a brushfire. That worker was charged along with his employer, etc. That was a crime. They weren’t charged with arson. They were charged with using the tool sharpening equipment in a zone where it was illegal. The employer will have to pay restitution, which will bankrupt that company but that won’t cover the costs. That fire burned hundreds of thousands of acres.
What should we do to this boy? I think you need to leave that to his parents. What should we do to the parents? I think this is a topic of discussion that their immediate neighbors and CPS should be thinking about, as the child may, or may not, be neglected.
November 15th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
What happened is a horrible thing. But the boy has probably ‘paid’ enough. I know if my 10 year old were to have been the one, he would be devastated over the results of his careless actions. He would have seen what was in the news, he would have known the repercussions and I think for any age, that responsibility is tremendous.
Did the parents do their job in teaching their son not to play with matches, I hope so. But even when we tell our children things, sometimes they still will experiment, think back into your own life at the times you didn’t listen to your parents.
I think the courts did the only thing they could do. A mistake was made, there were terrible consequences, the child was a child and he will live with those consequences forever. It took great courage for him to fess up to what he had done.