Parental responsibility law

In Eastpointe, Mich., a new city ordinance can now send parents to jail or force them to pay fines if their kids under 18 commit crimes.

“This obviously gives us another tool in dealing with parents that don’t want to take responsibility,” the city’s police chief told The Detroit News .

Charges will be filed not only against the minor who commits vandalism, theft or other crimes, but also against his or her parents. A first offense could result in a warning, but after that, a conviction could mean jail time of up to 30 days and fines of up to $500.

According to the Detroit Free Press , other communities in the area already have similar ordinances.

Do you think this new law will be effective in preventing crime? Do you think it’s fair? Is it possible that some kids behave in ways that are beyond a parent’s control?