It is good when kids get to learn more about the rules and laws that guide society. It is not so good when young ones are forced to do so in a harsh and disappointing way. A group of girl scouts saw law enforcement in a shocking manner, which will certainly stay with them for many years to come.
Villa Rica girl scouts were selling cookies, just like girl scouts are supposed to. They certainly did not expect that police officers will get involved in their activities, claiming that cookie selling was actually illegal.
The cookie both was set on a private property and the girls were making some success. This was when a police officer showed up.
The girls initially thought he was a customer but then it turned out that no cookies could be sold without a permit. The troop was in violation, regardless of the fact that the booth was erected on a private plot.
Both parents and the girls were disappointed with the manner in which the law enforcement officer acted. He made the troop close the booth until the parents got the permit that was needed for legal cookie selling.
The young scouts said that they were just having fun and they did not expect to get in trouble, especially with the police. Some of them got scared that arrests might follow and that they could be taken to jail.
A day later, parents did everything needed for a permit to be issued. The troop resumed cookie selling activities, this time legally and without fearing any police involvement again.
The mayor promised the scouts to hold a pizza party for everyone. According to him, it was important to get the kids acquainted with the police and not fearing law enforcement actions. Such a great way to get it all dealt with after the closure of the ‘illegal’ booth.
Naturally, police officers are there to supervise activities and to discover irregularities and crime. Cookie selling by girl scouts lacking a permit is certainly far from the serious crimes that threaten society.
In this instance, parents may have a point when they complain that the police officer was too harsh on the troop. Closing the booth was probably a needless act, since parents could have been asked to issue the permit without having the young ones involved.
It is curious that the case got significant media coverage. Most internet users commenting in news websites criticized the manner in which police handled the issue. Individuals remembered the manner in which they had sold lemonade during their childhood. Back then, police had nothing against it. Now, saying that the safety of kids is kept in mind, police officers seem to be introducing measures that are unbelievably tough and unnecessary… especially when children are involved.
Most parents would believe that the measure was crude. Yet, at what age and for what issues is law enforcement acceptable? How much is too much. Police officials said that the officer did nothing wrong. A questionable issue that makes many wonder about what is right and what is wrong when it comes to kids.