As the new year rolls in, Slidell has found its digital landscape dominated by a debate over juvenile antics on two wheels that has locals divided and the police department on high alert. A recent social media post from Slidell Police Department details a trend among youths riding bicycles erratically through traffic, executing wheelies, and playing "chicken" with oncoming cars, has sparked an online frenzy, accompanied by a surge in complaints, emails, and emergency calls.
While some in the community shrug off the risky behavior as kids just being kids, others are demanding police intervention and arrests - only to be making a tense situation tenser with threats of their own. The Slidell Police Department's message is infused with frustration and a call for communal responsibility. "The amount of complaints we are getting is ridiculous," the department stated. At the heart of their message, a plea to the city's youth: "Don't be foolish." With an uptick in such dangerous activities, the department is urging teens to choose safety over bravado.
The Slidell Police Department's message to parents is equally pointed, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. They beseech caregivers to communicate with their children about safe cycling practices. The department warns, "This can be extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury or death," underscoring the potential for not just physical harm, but legal consequences for negligent parenting.
