Incident calls for dialogue

Last week, a group of teens and parents told the Township Council a much different story than the police’s account of what caused the chaos after a township-sponsored concert on Jan. 9.

Police reported that an out-of-control mosh pit and several skirmishes inside the Civic Plaza put the crowd in danger, and a mob mentality prevailed when they decided to shut the event down. The youths countered that there were no violent situations, and police overreacted by making unnecessary arrests.

The council promised the crowd that an objective internal affairs report on the situation would be done, and we’re confident the police department will deliver.

But right or wrong, many teens believe wholeheartedly in their peers. Second- and thirdhand accounts of the incident are spreading fast through both high schools, and a police report contradicting the youths’ side of the story is not likely to change many of their minds.

Group the Jan. 9 event with recent incidents that occurred outside the Loews Cineplex, and you start to see a trend. Talk to some of Brick’s teens and you get the impression that the Civic Plaza incident was not merely an isolated blowup, but a backlash rooted from discontent, boredom and a general feeling that the walls are caving in around them. Consider the following:

• Last winter, the council adopted an anti-loitering ordinance aimed at breaking up crowds of teens hanging out at Brick Plaza. The ordinance made it illegal to "remain idle" without a legitimate purpose or "to beg or gather alms."

• The council considered an ordinance last year that would’ve made it illegal to skateboard on quasi-public property, like strip malls and even some sidewalks. A group of people, including now-Councilman Mike Thulen, opposed adopting the ordinance before Brick’s skate park was ready. (It still isn’t.) The council instead devised a way for commercial property owners to declare their land off-limit to skaters on request.

• The Board of Education recently adopted a policy requiring random drug tests for students who use parking permits. As detailed in this week’s cover story, some students feel the policy is degrading, an invasion of privacy and causes logistical problems.

It’s clear that honest, forthright dialogue is sorely needed between Brick’s youth and public officials.

Last week was a good start. Most who spoke at the council meeting were courteous and articulate, and their statements were taken seriously. If they feel some school or township policy is unfair or causes tension, they should avail themselves of the democratic process to find a solution.

Minors in Brick should also steer clear of potential conflicts between police and their peers in the future, despite however much they feel they’re in the right. Wounded pride fades much faster than a criminal record.