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Hernando Today

Disappearing morals

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By RON RAE, The Rae Way

Hernando Today

Published: June 10, 2009

Updated: 06/10/2009 10:59 am

Now you see it. Now you don't. It's not part of a magician's act even though a sleight of hand plays the major role in making things disappear right before unattending eyes.

What were once brand-spanking new houses with neat and moderately decorated lawns with two-car garages that were occupied with one or two late-model vehicles have become poorly maintained block housing shells with blighted lawns, homeowners given up on even the simplest of trimming around the edges and the cramming of all kinds of crap in great big heaps leave aging cars and SUVs in oil-stained driveways.

What may have been a good investment for the new property owner in the 1980s ended up taking a huge toll on the futures of many kids now in their 20s. Retail, lawn maintenance and construction jobs up the kazoo but the best paying jobs for the subordinate worker were/are in government services with few other employment opportunities.

Back 20 to 25 years ago, when the housing boom in Spring Hill was in its early stages of becoming the poorest played-out planning development scheme in Hernando County, kids grew up without community services intact to keep them from wandering dusty roads, so they sought entertainment thrills within the confines of their homes with little supervision. Both parents were out there working hard for the money necessary to enhance the family's standard of living but when the kids were left alone, good habits never developed and bad ones were only to get worse — drugs and sex made them into addle-brained purveyors of wasted futures.

Twenty-somethings may still live at home today, perhaps having moved in and out at various other times as warranted by unemployed or under-employment conditions, doing what comes easiest: mooching. Others might live on their own, unmarried boyfriend and girlfriend with kids and/or children from previous relationships, barely making ends meet and getting snippets of assistance from mom and dad who are more than just a little fearful that, otherwise, their home will be invaded upon with a certain permanence about it.

Maybe lawful justice has taken away their driving privileges, but they remain defiant in their right to play a risky game of getting behind the wheel, disregarding the court decision, being ever so careful to abide by every traffic sign and signal. And maybe they continue to feed their mindless habits, finding less money to pay for family staples like food, diapers and toilet paper! So they shoplift, taking a positive position on the acts of robbery because they've gotten away with it before.

Some of us may have done a bit of it early in life but it was more likely a rested development by age 18. It was wrong then as it is now but back in the late 1960s store detectives lacked the assistance of cameras to nab an offender. Security enhancements have made the activity much riskier. Apparently not enough so economic situations create the temptation to exalt the bravado of thievery.

The perpetrators of these crimes relate with pride the spoils of their dishonesty. They're not only brave in their activities; they're down right proud of their successes. By whatever means they steal their hand-picked selections of apparel, footwear, bath items and a variety of other human wants, including food, it works very well. There are days when some go on a free-for-me shopping spree. Afterwards, it's glow and tell time about the latest accomplishment.

Perhaps they're not aware of the repercussions. A first-time offender will most likely be given a citation similar to a traffic offense. A Notice to Appear letter sets a court date with community service to follow. There might not be any jail time but a $200 civic fine is imposed. If unpaid, the place of business reserves the right to proceed with a lawsuit and a trespass warning is issued, prohibiting the person from legally entering the place of business forever more.

The worst such scenario might involve a couple with three boys 1 to 4 years old. When I think of those babies, I have concerns they could very likely become wards of the state. No more high-fives between dad and son. No more tickling and giggling. How long before their smiley faces turn to grins with traces of grimace or smirks of cynicism because the baby carriage was used to stash and transport stolen property?

If mommy and daddy continue shopping to get something for nothing, they might find themselves in and out of detention cells. That's when the kids will see them now and again … and then they won't.

Ron Rae, a regular columnist for Hernando Today, lives in Spring Hill. He can be contacted at hernandoron@yahoo.com.

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