Tips to Keep Your Children Out of Trouble With Law Enforcement

On the heels of the arrests of four teens charged with committing more than 30 vehicle burglaries throughout Hernando County, Sheriff Al Nienhuis is encouraging parents to be vigilant in knowing their children’s movements at all times.
In an effort to help parents recognize signs of possibly illegal behavior, the Sheriff’s Office is providing the following tips to help ensure your children are not engaging in potentially life-altering actions that could ultimately end in jail, or possibly even prison.

Sheriff Al Nienhuis said, “It is our job as parents to use every reasonable method to hold our children accountable, even if it makes us and them uncomfortable. Teaching them that they will have to answer for their crimes will prevent a bad situation from becoming much worse later in their lives.”

Parenting Tips:

• Periodic searches of children’s bedroom, backpack, and other personal property items that you did not purchase for them.
• In addition, check for suspicious items such as rubber gloves, burglary type tools, flashlights, and bandanas or masks.
• Monitor children’s friends and or acquaintances as to their possible criminal activity.
• Monitor children’s nighttime movements (where they go, when they leave the residence and who they are with).

Citizens’ Tips:

• Lock vehicle doors and set alarms. A majority of all vehicle burglaries are a result of unlocked vehicles.
• Do not leave keys, firearms, pocketbooks, purses, wallets, electronics, or money in plain view inside a vehicle.
• Leave exterior lights on.
• Purchase surveillance equipment or if you own a surveillance system, review the footage often to look for suspicious subjects that are checking vehicle doors.
• Those with surveillance system can register with the HCSO “Eyes on the Street” program.

And remember…
A “Car-Hopping” arrest is a felony that can follow your child throughout his or her life and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison for each offense. The spare change or other minor items they steal not only earns them a criminal record but they are subject to physical harm from victims that may catch them in the act, from law enforcement canines or deputies if they resist arrest, and the financial burden placed upon you by paying restitution to the victims.