Summits, Phone Bank Address Teen Violence

Mar 31, 2010 4:19 pm US/Eastern
Teen Violence Phone Bank - 5 PM to 6:30 PM - (305) 597-4404
Reporting

John MacLauchlan
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―

* Beaten Deerfield Teen Remains In Medical Coma
(3/30/2010)
* Burned Teen Visits Beating Victim Josie Ratley
(3/24/2010)
* Mother Of Teen Beating Victim Thanks Teacher
(3/24/2010)
* Deerfield Beach Residents React To Teen Violence
(3/22/2010)
* 13-Year-Old Held As Accessory In Student Attack
(3/19/2010)
* BSO: Suspect Planned To Kill Deerfield Beach Teen
(3/19/2010)
* Lamberti Says School Attack Is "Very Disturbing"
(3/18/2010)
* Burned Teen Makes Remarkable Recovery
(3/13/2010)
* Grandma Of Burned Teen Speaks On Teen Violence
(3/10/2010)
* New Docs Show Brewer Remembers Being Burned
(1/12/2010)
* Burned Teen Goes Home After Recent Surgery
(1/7/2010)
* Burned Teen Hospitalized Again; Serious Condition
(1/5/2010)

Nearly two weeks after a Deerfield Beach teenage girl was severely beaten at a bus stop at her school by another teen, teen violence was in the spotlight at a number of events.

At Memorial Healthcare Systems' Esther L. Grossman Resource Center in Hollywood, representatives from such agencies as the county's school system, the Broward Sheriff's Office, Hollywood Parks and Recreation and the Children's Service Council held a Teen Violence Summit.

The key note speaker for the event was Maureen "Reenie" Brewer, whose grandson Michael was also the victim of teen violence. Brewer has spoken out publicly a number of times about teen violence and bullying schools since the October 2009 attack in which four teens held Michael down in the pool area of his Deerfield Beach apartment building, doused him with rubbing alcohol and set him on fire. In the following months, he endured four surgeries and number painful physical therapy sessions.

Brewer said she vividly recalls the days and weeks after the attack as "Mikie" suffered in the hospital. During her address at the summit Brewer read from an email she out to friends about what was going on.

"Today, November 5, 2009, his heart rate went to 152, he was put on a heart monitor and is still 6 hours later going through tests to see why that happened. We have been promised a real tumultuous roller coaster ride on this journey. We are thriving on good energy and heartfelt prayers given freely by the people we share this world with, the same people that want something good and positive to come out of this.

We have been tapped on the shoulder by something much bigger than us, to wake up and smell the smoke!!!!! We must start with ourselves, after all that's where everything begins.

Change is not what is left from your dollar, it's what is left of your life!!!"

Brewer said parents and caregivers should look for signs of trouble in children at an early age.

"Go to a daycare center where they have 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-year olds. If you pay attention in no time at all you'll see the bullies; you'll see the cry babies. You'll see the loners; you'll see the socialites. You'll see them all. They're already there. And that's when they need to be guided in the right direction," said Brewer.

Another great place to start is with yourself, according to Brewer, and lead by example.

"We're awful. We fight with each other; we talk about each other. We stab each other in the back. We have no respect for the person we put in the highest office in the country. We make fun of our President after we put him in office. Then we have the little ones standing here saying. 'I thought you liked him; I thought you voted for him,'" Brewer told the gathering.

Michael's recovery was seen as miraculous by his family and doctors, and another Deerfield Beach family is praying for a miracle.

Wednesday afternoon an attorney for the family of Josie Ratley spoke about her condition.

On March 17th, 15-year-old Ratley was reportedly attacked by 15-year-old Wayne Treacy as she stood near a bus stop at Deerfield Beach Middle. Witnesses said Treacy repeatedly punched Ratley, kicked her and stomped on her head with steel-toed boots. The reason given for the attack: she reportedly texted him a remark he didn't like concerning the recent suicide of his older brother.

Treacy is being held in a juvenile detention center on a charge of premeditated attempted murder.

Kayla Manson, 13, has been charged as an accomplice and remains in a juvenile detention center as well. Manson was arrested because prosecutors say she knew Treacy intended to hurt Ratley and did nothing to stop him.

Wednesday evening the Mayor of Deerfield Beach will hold a Youth Violence Round Table with the Mayors of Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek and Sunrise to see what can be done.

"Youth violence is not unique to Deerfield Beach; it has become a national issue. As public servants in this corner of the nation, we have a tremendous responsibility to address this problem collectively before we lose our children altogether," said Deerfield Beach Mayor Peggy Noland in a written statement.

Mayors from more than a dozen other cities whose children attend schools in Deerfield Beach were invited to join the discussion. Nearly 35 percent of Deerfield Beach Middle School students and 40 percent of Deerfield Beach High School students live outside of Deerfield Beach.

Joining the mayors on the panel will be Broward County Mental Health Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, BSO Commander John Nesteruk, who is charge of school Resource Deputies. Deerfield Beach Middle School Principal Christine Flynn and BSO Deerfield Beach Police Chief Jay Fernandez will also be speaking.

Working with the Broward Sheriff's Office and the school district, Noland hopes the night's discussion will lead to an action plan to that not only stems bullying in schools and teen violence, but also addresses the environment in which it breeds.

If you have any questions about teen violence or know a teen who needs help, you can call the Neighbors 4 Neighbors Teen Violence phone bank Wednesday night beginning at 5 p.m. Experts will be standing by to answer your questions about how to spot potentially troubling behavior and what can be done to keep your children safe in school.

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"Go to a daycare center where they have 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-year olds. If you pay attention in no time at all you'll see the bullies; you'll see the cry babies. You'll see the loners; you'll see the socialites. You'll see them all. They're already there. And that's when they need to be guided in the right direction," said Brewer.

I loved the article. It was well written. So true. I am really worried about my grandchildren going to public schools. The violence and teen suicides are way out of control.