I don't know if this counts as Cleveland, but that boy who killed himself over what his parents said is a result of bullying, is sickening.  The kids themselves, they should be made to feel incredibly bad about what they did and should be suspended.  While some may argue they were just acting "as kids," that is a load of BS.  I was in HS once, and I NEVER made fun of someone like that.  If the parents of these bullies knew of this, they should be questioned, too. 

 

I am all in favor of schools implementing tough anti-bullying rules.  This kid was targeted bc he was different, and that is pathetic. 

 

**It happened in Mentor.

If the article is correct, he wasn't targeted simply for being "different", he was targeted because he was perceived to be gay. I know all too well what this kid went through - it goes far and beyond the "kids are cruel" sh!t excuse. 

 

Teen Commits Suicide Due to Bullying: Parents Sue School for Son's Death

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=7228335&page=1

 

Family Wants No Money but Insists School Address Bullying and Three Other Suicides

 

By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES

April 2, 2009 —

 

Eric Mohat, 17, was harassed so mercilessly in high school that when one bully said publicly in class, "Why don't you go home and shoot yourself, no one will miss you," he did.

 

Now his parents, William and Janis Mohat of Mentor, Ohio, have filed a lawsuit in federal court, saying that their son endured name-calling, teasing, constant pushing and shoving and hitting in front of school officials who should have protected him.

 

The lawsuit -- filed March 27, alleges that the quiet but likable boy, who was involved in theater and music, was called "gay," "fag," "queer" and "homo" and often in front of his teachers. Most of the harassment took place in math class and the teacher -- an athletic coach -- was accused of failing to protect the boy.

 

 

ABC News' information specialist Melissa Lenderman contributed to this report.

 

 

If the article is correct, he wasn't targeted simply for being "different", he was targeted because he was perceived to be gay. I know all too well what this kid went through - it goes far and beyond the "kids are cruel" sh!t excuse. 

 

I think we all know what that feels like.  When you're "differnt" you're teased.  I read the Cleveland.bomb version of this and it immediately took me back to when I wanted to commit suicide.

 

That are a lot of things we don't know.  A lot of people blame the parents for "not knowing" but when you are a loner, you're an artist at hiding your emotions.  There are countless times I pretended everything was "fine" but I really "gone the f*ck off and done some serious damage to myself and others.

 

Kids can be cruel and super nasty.

 

I hid it from my parents, my brother and cousins and we're a tight family.  I was too big to be physically picked on or spoken to directly, but the "whispers" still hurt.  There were the "look at the way he dresses", "Nerd/Geek/Dork/Brainiac", "I wonder if he's gay?" comments.

 

Obviously the parent knew something, but there seems to be a disconnect between the parents of the deceased, the school admin./teachers and the bullies & their parents.

 

Most kids who target the gay kid are undercover punks themselves.

---

 

Parents of boy who killed himself hold Mentor High School liable

 

Posted by dsims April 03, 2009 05:30AM

 

 

Eric Mohat's parents believe bullies drove their son to kill himself, and contend in a lawsuit that Mentor school officials simply let it happen.

 

Eric, 17, committed suicide in 2007. William and Janis Mohat filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court last month in which they claim their son endured incessant harassment from other Mentor High School students, including taunts of "gay," "fag" and "queer."

 

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/04/parent_of_mentor_boy_who_kille.html

 

I whole-heartedly agree.  I was fortunate in that I never had to endure any of the horrific tormenting.  However, I think the same war that was raged against racism needs to be implemented.  Schools need to create more awareness and a whole host of other programs to deter this sort of behavior. 

 

Kids are incredibly cruel.  IMO, they are more cruel than adults bc at least adults usually are targeting other adults who have a much stronger mental state.  A child, especially in the adolescent years, goes through so many changes.  When one of those changes happens to be a change that is different than the majority, they instantly become a target. 

 

And these punks who do this are insecure.  But I would not just stop at the punks.  There are countless others who stand by and say nothing.  I guarantee no one stuck up for this kid out of fear of retribution.  It's a good example of how strong the forces of peer pressure can be. 

 

 

I read about this too, just horrible. And the fact that there were other suicides in the same grade indicates something is terribly wrong; either these kids aren't getting the love and support and strength they need when they are away from school and bullies, or the bullies are being allowed to do whatever they want, unchecked.  I wonder how much can really be the school's fault.  It's one thing if you actually see people getting into fights or something but most bullying is much quieter and out of the view of teachers and administrators, so how culpable can they be? 

 

I know many of us on here were probably victims of bullies.  We are all, in a sense, some kind of outcasts I think.  I was horrendously bullied in middle school for a variety of things, mostly for being extremely poor but also for being severely underweight.  I completely changed myself between middle school and high school and became a very tough person, and while there were certainly people who didn't like me in high school, I was much more respected and feared than picked on in HS.  But not everyone has the fortitude or resources or what have you to pull yourself up by your boot straps and tell the world to F off.  I feel awful for what this kid went through and what the other kids are going through.  How do the parents of bullies deal with this?  Do they just ignore it? Do their kids act like angels at home? I kind of doubt the latter.

This is an awful story.  Our kids are not at that age yet, but I always worry that when the time comes, they may be picked on for being "different" in some way.  I always tell my wife that no matter what, we need to love and support them under all circumstances barring that they are not negatively effecting their lives or anyone elses.  Hopefully this teens parents were doing that, but I have a hard time believing they were.  If the boy was coming home at night and felt as though he was loved, understood, and supported I really don't think this would have happened.  It is just awful.

Folks, I deleted quite a few posts - let's get the thread back on topic.

A friend of mine owns a house in a decent neighborhood in South Euclid.  His car was stolen OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY the other night.

I'm currently compiling crime data for a number of inner-ring suburbs.  Euclid, Cle Hts, and Garfield Hts have all seen increases in violent crime in the past 4 years.  In particular, Garfield Hts has exploded. 

My roommate's bike was stolen out of our garage in Lakewood last summer.

My Mom and Dad's car was broken into 3 times last summer in STRONGSVILLE in a subdivision last summer.  They can no longer keep them in the driveway at night.  They both grew up on Woodland/E110th, moved to Parma, and now Strongsville.  This is the first house they have lived in that this happened.

I'm currently compiling crime data for a number of inner-ring suburbs. Euclid, Cle Hts, and Garfield Hts have all seen increases in violent crime in the past 4 years. In particular, Garfield Hts has exploded.

 

Sadly crime in Cleveland Heights has become a serious issue. My co-workers home was broken into and was basically wiped clean. Every item with any kind of value was taken. When my grandma lived in Cleveland Heights, her house was broken into and her car was broken into multiple times. She lived there for over 50 years but around 2001 things got pretty bad.

Oh yeah, I got robbed in Cleveland Heights too, around 2003.  Ransacked my apartment... only took my new radio.  Also there was a turd in the foyer one day, same building.  If that's not a crime I don't know what is. 

There were dog turds in the hallway in Stonebridge when I visited it.  I don't know how you can just ignore that if you're the dog's owner, that's just gross.

It can happen anywhere.  Someone (from Maple Hts.) attempted to break into our house.  They broke the glass windows and bleed all the way back to the Warrensville trains station.  Smart...real smart.

This wasn't from a dog... and that's all I have to say about that.

This wasn't from a dog... and that's all I have to say about that.

 

Olmsted Township police chief charged with public indecency

Posted by mtobin April 28, 2009 16:05PM

 

BROOKLYN — Olmsted Township Police Chief Charles McNeeley faces charges after being arrested Tuesday morning for lewd behavior in the Cleveland Metroparks, rangers said. 

Rangers arrested McNeeley following an incident at the Memphis Picnic Area in the Big Creek Reservation in Brooklyn, spokeswoman Dianna Kall said.

 

A ranger on foot patrol spotted McNeeley and Daniel Crown masturbating between two parked cars, Capt. Jack Hall said.

 

More at

http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-olmstedtownshippolicechief,0,5603135.story

 

Time to come out the closet!

 

I'm glad no kids were out there.  Who cruises a park at 8:30 AM?  I thought park cruising went out in the 90's.

NICE!  I am sorry, but I just never hear any stories about women doing this.  What is the MATTER with guys? 

NICE!  I am sorry, but I just never hear any stories about women doing this.  What is the MATTER with guys? 

 

Closet cases and horny freaks.  I mean, if you have to get off, get a room or go home to get your freak on. 

 

I'm sure there are lots of people who have an "outside" adventure with someone they are in a relationship. 

 

I bet they are both married.  This is a reminder not to tap your foot on the floor in the batroom fellas.

We are a lot more controlled by our sexual desires.

They could've been checking out jogging soccer moms....

They could've been checking out jogging soccer moms....

 

I think you mean male soccer players.  However, at 8:30 AM on a School Day, even that is hard to believe.

Yeah, I was discussing this at work.  Who in their right mind would go to a park (public place w/ no privacy) in order to keep something on the DL?  Did they have no $$?  Motel 8 is like 35.99 for the Sr citizen rate (MTS, can you confirm?).

The idea of MTS frequenting a Motel 6 or Super 8 made me laugh out loud... MTS's idea of roughing it is probably staying in a Sheraton instead of the W.

Yeah, I was discussing this at work.  Who in their right mind would go to a park (public place w/ no privacy) in order to keep something on the DL?  Did they have no $$?  Motel 8 is like 35.99 for the Sr citizen rate (MTS, can you confirm?).

 

 

The idea of MTS frequenting a Motel 6 or Super 8 made me laugh out loud... MTS's idea of roughing it is probably staying in a Sheraton instead of the W.

Mentor schools have been having a lot of trouble lately with the suicide and three sexual assaults reported in the last year:

 

Mentor music teacher accused of sexually assaulting student at summer band camp

What the hell is going on out in Mentor?! 

From wkyc.com

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=119207&catid=3

 

Avon Lake break-ins have residents on edge

 

AVON LAKE -- Homeowners in Avon Lake were taking defensive measures after at least 11 homes were targeted in a spree of break-ins Sunday night.

 

Most of the homes had screens ripped and pried off, and windows jimmied open.  Four homes were actually entered by the burglars.  Greg Schenkelberg's was one of them.

 

© 2009 WKYC-TV

While I feel bad for all these kids and their families. Don’t you think if they were brought up on more of a aggressive attitude they would be okay. My dad always told me to be nice to everyone but make SURE they respect you, and if they didn’t... MAKE THEM. That’s just what I did. My name is Christian and kids used to call me Christina. Someone called me "girlyboy" one day and then kicked me, I beat the sh!t out of him and have been fine since. Now I’m a bouncer and hockey player.. and as unfortunate at it seems it almost seems to me like survival of the fittest..

 

I don’t at all think that any of this is right, but these people have to stand up to each other. Never start violence but always finish it. As Malcolm X said, “Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.” While this isn’t exactly the same, what happened in these situations is WRONG, I believe that some are born with respect and others have to earn it.

 

Well, you have no idea if they are on drugs and/or armed. It's not like it's an even playing field.  You can't fight people who shoot you, or who are cracked up or out of their minds on PCP or something.

Uh-oh there goes Avon Lake, time to move north and build a private island....

 

 

Some of the schools seem to be taking "zero tolerance" to the point that they've forbidden standing up for oneself.  That's not just wrong, it's socially dangerous.

 

As for the initial article, either they got the weight wrong or this kid had other serious health issues.  When I was that age I was 6' 1", 170 lbs, and on the skinny side....

I thought this stuff only happened in big, scary Cleveland... :roll:

 

In all seriousness, though, this is crazy.

 

Westlake man stabbed by 12-year-old boy

By Michael Sangiacomo

September 26, 2009, 8:04AM

 

...

 

Westlake Police said the man, whose name was not released, approached two young boys shooting air pistols in a wooded area near Dover Center and Center Ridge roads around 7 p.m.. Police said when the man confronted the boys about the shooting, one of them stabbed him in the chest with a pocket knife.

 

...

 

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/09/westlake_man_stabbed_by_12-yea.html

I don't think anyone ever said it only happens in Cleveland.  But let's not be foolish, it happens far, far more often in Cleveland than in every other suburb combined.

I'm sorry, I thought the smiley and the phrase "in all seriousness" made it clear I wasn't being serious.  That was intended as a wry remark on a sentiment I often encountered when I lived in Westlake. 

 

I do, however, appreciate your efforts to correct my foolishness.  :wink: :mrgreen: 8-) :-D (hope that's enough smilies this time!)

Even in "inner ring" Maple Heights the murder of Daniel Kondas shook up a lot of people, and to be blunt reinforced stereotypes in the eyes of some.  The west side, where the crime took place, has had much less crime than the east side in recent years.

Sorry, but some guy getting stabbed in Westlake doesn't put me in a snarky mood regarding the overall relative crime rates of Cleveland to it's affluent suburbs.

Sorry, but some guy getting stabbed in Westlake doesn't put me in a snarky mood regarding the overall relative crime rates of Cleveland to it's affluent suburbs.

 

Affluent is the key.  Many times in affluent areas crimes are not reported and are taken care of privately.

 

The difference is crimes "reported" vs. "actual" crimes.

 

If I had $100 bucks for every time I heard "our lawyer will be in touch with you" I would be rich. 

 

People with the means,  use lawyers to keep things out of papers.

Not buying it.  At least not in regards to serious crime- robbery, assaults, murder, rape, and the like.

I think the Cleveland Crime discussion may still be in editing, or I just can't find it. But the girl in the story below needs to be remembered both for what she believed in and for the difference she made in such a short life...

 

Bicyclist, 22, killed when truck hits her

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Michael Sangiacomo Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Sylvia Bingham had lived in Cleveland for only a short time, but she was determined to make a difference in the community. The 22-year-old Yale University graduate was killed Tuesday as she rode her bicycle to work at the Hard Hatted Women office, where she helped tradeswomen become mentors.

 

continued-------> http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1253089896175500.xml&coll=2

 

 

How horrible

Anthony Russo is charged with kidnapping after being accused of dressing as Santa to lure a girl

By Donna J. Miller, Plain Dealer reporter 

 

December 10, 2009, 2:39PM PARMA, Ohio — The 46-year-old Brook Park accused of dressing as Santa and grabbing a 12-year-old girl was charged today with kidnapping and will be taken this evening to the Cuyahoga County Jail.

 

more at:  http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/12/anthony_russo_is_charged_with.html

 

 

Man shot to death in Cleveland Heights bar

 

By Michael Sangiacomo

December 19, 2009, 9:49AM

 

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A 23-year-old Cleveland man died early this morning after being shot in the head at bar near the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Lee Road.

 

More at cleveland.com:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/12/man_shot_to_death_in_cleveland.html

Man shot to death in Cleveland Heights bar

 

By Michael Sangiacomo

December 19, 2009, 9:49AM

 

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A 23-year-old Cleveland man died early this morning after being shot in the head at bar near the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Lee Road.

 

More at cleveland.com:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/12/man_shot_to_death_in_cleveland.html

Man shot to death in Cleveland Heights bar

 

By Michael Sangiacomo

December 19, 2009, 9:49AM

 

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A 23-year-old Cleveland man died early this morning after being shot in the head at bar near the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Lee Road.

 

More at cleveland.com:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/12/man_shot_to_death_in_cleveland.html

[*]This crime didn't happen in Cleveland

[*]Cedar Avenue is not in Cleveland Heights. It's Cedar Rd.

Crappy reporting

 

Agree on Cedar Ave, but where does it say that it happened in Cleveland?  Either way, it's a shame.  They need to shut that place down, I think it has had plenty of troubles over the years.

 

This one is just weird. Murder in Medina. Victim's nepehew was locked in a different room in the house when the break-in occurred.

 

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/06/man_dies_after_confronting_rob.html

Wasn't there another armed robbery in Solon recently? Yikes! From newsnet5.com

 

Blue Fig Restaurant robbed at gun point, employees forced into basement

 

Posted: 10:25 AM

 

SOLON, Ohio - Three employees of the Blue Fig Restaurant were forced into a basement early Sunday as two men robbed the eatery, police said.

 

At about 2:43 a.m. Sunday, two men brandishing guns entered the restaurant located at 63372 Som Center Road.

 

More at: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/blue-fig-restaurant-robbed-at-gu-point%2C-employees-forced-into-basement

At least there's no speeding on 422.  They make damn sure of that.

Standoff continues in Beachwood

 

BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- Several SWAT teams from the eastern Cuyahoga County suburbs have surrounded a four-story office building in Beachwood as hostage negotiators try to bring peaceful ending to a standoff there, Mayor Merle Gorden said.

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

The standoff appears to have started within the last two hours on the first floor of the building, possibly at Alfredo's International Salon, Gorden said.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/06/standoff_in_beachwood.html