Milton to kick around bullying
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What: Milton City Council plans to discuss possible ordinance fines for youth bullying.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 20.
Where: Shaw Municipal Center, 430 E. High St., Milton.
Photo 
Jim Martin
MILTON — As school districts statewide grapple with updates for policies on school bullying, the City of Milton plans to use an old tool to combat youth harassment: Ordinance fines.
Details aren’t complete, but an ordinance approved in June by the Milton City Council makes it possible for youth bullies to be prosecuted through the city’s Municipal Court.
The ordinance, which Milton Police Department school resource officer Jim Martin presented to the city council earlier this year, localizes Wisconsin’s state statute on harassment, stripping it of its criminal aspect.
Tonight, the city council will discuss and could vote on fines and penalties youths could be made to pay for bullying, Milton Police Chief Jerry Schuetz said Monday in an e-mail. That will ready the ordinance for the 2010-2011 school year, he said.
Monday, Martin told the Gazette the ordinance applies mostly to face-to-face forms of youth harassment, including:
-- Minor physical assaults, like pushing, shoving or kicking.
-- Verbal harassment, like teasing or name-calling.
Under the ordinance, Milton police could key in on reports of repeated school harassment. Youth offenders would get one warning before possibly being ticketed.
“Most times, kids heed my warning the first time, but there are cases where they don’t,” Martin said. “By having this ordinance in place, I would handle that in a more aggressive stance.”
Martin said the ordinance helps students who silently endure bullying because they believe no one will intervene or that they’ll face retribution from peers for speaking up.
“Quite honestly, there’s a lot more (bullying) that goes on than what is reported,” Martin said. “A kid could get harassed through his entire school career if nothing’s said.”
The ordinance does not directly apply to cyber-bullying or cell phone-based text message harassment, Martin said.
It also would not apply to more serious threats of violence or injury.
Those issues, Martin said, could still be dealt with through the district attorney’s office.
“In cases where (actions) are egregious, we might go straight to state statutes for an arrest,” he said.
Jul 22, 2010 at 2:29 p.m.
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Since this is a city of Milton ordinance, what are they going to do if a bullying event happens at one of the schools outside the city limits? Harmony and Consolidated sit outiside the City of Milton Police Department jurisdiction. Are we going to call in the Rock Co. Sheriff to handle all these "bullying" issues?
Jul 22, 2010 at 10:17 a.m.
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I agree, the bully needs to be punished and YES the parents need to be involved. If this child is seeking attention or is learning violent behavior at home, the parent does need to step up. It is hard to be in a learning environment and worry about getting picked on at lunchtime or after school. Have you ever been there? I have and so has one of my children in grade school and middle school. Parents, please teach your children that violence is NOT the answer to anything. Patience and understanding take you much further in life.
Jul 21, 2010 at 7:47 p.m.
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Why are you worried about the bully, what is wrong with you! Everytime someone is arrested in this community you all yell throw away the key. Now you don't even care about a victim. This is not setup to punish a kid for calling someone a name once. It is setup to help kids that are constantly being bullied and to teach others that it will not be tolerated. The same people who are saying this is wrong; are the same ones to yell about teachers not caring when a school tragedy happens. You can't tell me that a parent is incapable of following the golden rule. Also, it will be on thier record until they turn 18 as they are minors.
Jul 21, 2010 at 3:58 p.m.
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I agree!!! The kids who do the bullying should serve some kind of community service, maybe helping at a shelter for those less fortunate. Make the kid pay for his actions, not the parents.
Jul 21, 2010 at 3:43 p.m.
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I agree, put it on the kids. While the parents may be at fault to a point, it is the child that is doing it. Classes, community service, whatever it takes to make them understand.
Jul 21, 2010 at 3:03 p.m.
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This is great that they are going to give out fines but at who's expense? Why not have the kids be required to to community service? Why should the parents have to pay for these fines? Not all parents with these children have done a bad job raising these unruly kids. Some kids just get a "trill" out of hurting others because they see easy target. If they don't obide by the rules they will have a criminal record that will follow them. Lets really get real here. Fines will just create more hardships for families that are already struggling in this slow economy. If I was unemployed and I received a fine from what my child did you can bet I would be attending all classes with my child to put an end to their misbehavior.
Jul 21, 2010 at 2:32 p.m.
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I am thrilled that Milton is doing this, now Janesville needs to as was already posted on here. A bully can ruin their target from receiving a good education and give them low self esteem. I went through it, I know. I think giving them a ticket and then further action if it continues is wonderful. Parents, warn your kids, or better yet, teach them that bullying is WRONG.
Jul 21, 2010 at 1:10 p.m.
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Justaskme, heck most bullies become intimidated when their victim stands up for themselves. Its amazing how fast a bully runs away when the kid they picked on for a year turns around and pops them right in the mouth.
Jul 21, 2010 at 12:32 p.m.
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Good luck having a court decide 'who did what' and 'who said what' in a bulling situation. Nonetheless, most bullys will be intimidated themselves when they have to deal with the law and the courts.
Jul 21, 2010 at 12:18 p.m.
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Great example of a stupid rule.
Jul 21, 2010 at 11:59 a.m.
Jul 21, 2010 at 11:37 a.m.
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Great headline.
Jul 21, 2010 at 11:37 a.m.
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Great headline.
Jul 20, 2010 at 9:05 p.m.
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now just if janesville would do something like this!!!!!!! but they will not
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