Mount Barker Police Sergeant Urges Parents To Discipline Their Teens

Sergeant David Johnson says he is frustrated by irresponsible parents after the recent trail of destruction three juvenile offenders left on a drunken night in Mount Barker. 

The male teens were charged with 45 offences which included burglary, damage and trespassing last Saturday night in the Great Southern region with police calling it an “evening of drunken destruction.”

Sergeant Johnson, who is Mount Barker's officer-in-charge says it's frustrating, particularly considering police, council and residents have worked hard together for several years to minimise youth offending in the area. 

"We've worked really hard to make Mount Barker safe and vibrant. It makes me so furious; we've had a fantastic run for the last few years, it's been a really safe environment," he said.

The trio damaged windows and vehicles at several businesses and homes, stole and destroyed a defibrillator from the St John Ambulance depot, climbed on top of bank buildings, threw bricks onto roads and burglarized a nearby home. They also vandalised buildings. 

"I think it stemmed from consuming alcohol and this is what happens when there's a lack of parenting. It's all too common with kids out roaming streets until early hours, no parental control; they were heavily intoxicated and there seemed to be no concern from parents that they were drunk,” said Johnson.

Sergeant Johnson says incidents like there were taking up a considerable amount of police time that would be better spent on other matters.

The teens will front Albany Magistrates Court at a later date.

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