The first rule of Fight Club: you do not talk about Fight Club. But some rules tend to get broken, especially ones in this town. In Hamilton County, a trend of disrespect has increased as numerous stores and shops have become popular hang out spots. And instead of boosting profitability, these stores are left with messes, disruptions, and even violence to work out.
As the second semester of this school year has dragged on, and students find themselves bored, unconventional social spaces have become many teenagers’ outlet. Places like Sonic, Wawa, and even grocery store parking lots have become recently exploited targets. Teenagers will show up by the hundreds, littering the property, trashing bathrooms in the restaurants, and even resorting to violent games. Up until a few weeks ago, a “Friday Night Fight Club” at Westfield’s Sonic brought countless teens from around the county each weekend. The restaurant was inevitably left trashed, with workers in distress, and forced to contact the police.
These businesses have had to deal with the negative impacts of being the scene of a brawl. Paying for damages is already expensive, and as it adds up each weekend, many of the affected places say they feel helpless. They can hardly do anything to stop so many rowdy teenagers from showing up unexpectedly. In fact, many businesses barely turn a profit when teens only use the space as a meeting place, not for its intended purpose. In the end, businesses are coming out of these weekend rallies wrecked and with no profits to show for it. Not only that, but many local adults end up dissatisfied with these spaces and choose to avoid them, due to the negative associations from the egregious activities.
Although teens’ reckless choices are disrupting the flow of local commerce, the reason behind these actions needs to be put into perspective. Now more than ever, teens are having to forge their own entertainment. Many previously popular weekend activities, such as hitting the bowling alley, visiting the movie theater, or exploring museums are now economically out of reach for most teenage students. As prices for everything have risen, these activities have turned into unreasonable expenses for teens to pay. To combat this affordability issue, teens are resorting to maverick ways of staying connected.
Teens, adults, and local public places are all suffering, and nobody should have to make sacrifices as vital parts of our community. Adults shouldn’t have to be afraid to visit the county’s public institutions. Businesses shouldn’t end up damaged because of situations out of their control. And teenagers shouldn’t have to give up on high school experiences.
What everyone needs is respect and empathy for the community Hamilton county provides. Teens can fill out their summer bucket lists, and do it all while treating local spaces responsibly. Adults can go to whatever restaurant they want without question, and businesses can resume providing uninterrupted service. All the county needs is a little more effort and regard. Remember: If you want a unified community, you have to fight for it.
