Cops called on 13-year-olds for selling cupcakes

1. 88

   Stacie Lposted 14 years ago

   msnbc.com staff and news service reports
   updated 11/15/2010 10:24:01 AM ET 2010-11-15T15:24:01
   
   
   CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. A politician in a New York suburb called police on two 13-year-old boys for selling cupcakes and other baked goods without a permit, according to a report Monday.
   
   The Journal News in Westchester County said the boys, Andrew DeMarchis and Kevin Graff, had a brisk business selling cupcakes, cookies, brownies and Rice Krispie treats for $1 each in a Chappaqua park.
   
   However, New Castle Councilman Michael Wolfensohn called the police after discovering the sale was not for charity, the newspaper said.
   
   Kevin's mother, Laura Graff, said the teens were "good kids" who were scared by the police call.
   
   "I am shocked and sad for the boys. It was such a great idea, and they worked hard at it," Laura Graff, Kevin's mother, told The Journal News. "But then some Town Board member decided to get on his high horse and wreck their dreams."
   
   
   DeMarchis, Graff and two other friends, Zachary Bass and Daniel Katz, had hoped they would make enough money to open a restaurant, the paper said, adding that they made $120 on their first day.
   
   However the police arrived on their second day in Gedney Park, on Oct. 9, the paper said.
   
   read on  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40194328/ns … ?gt1=43001

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2. 73

   Enelle Lambposted 14 years ago

   I think that just sucks! I understand there are permits for baked/cooked food - but come on! It's no worse than a lemonade stand. I guess because it wasn't on their property they got ratted out!

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      Home Girlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Shame,shame,shame! We have to have more kids like that, then we can stop worrying about failing economy about our future. Big shame!

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3. 75

   Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

   This story's all over the net. Here's one with a photo of the "hero" councilman. It also reports how he came to be in power in Chappaqua in the first place by strong-arming the town into erecting a monument to 9/11.
   
   http://www.popehat.com/2010/11/15/hero- … ie-treats/

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4. 77

   Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

   He really doesn't want to be reelected does he?

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      SirDentposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I believe you are right, Writer.

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5. 60

   John Holdenposted 14 years ago

   They'll soon learn,much safer to sell drugs.

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6. 68

   Jo Deslaurierposted 14 years ago

   Next thing you know he'll want to shut down those illegal gambling halls known as Senior Citizen Centers and their vile game of bingo.

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7. 69

   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   Absurd,
   
   Foolish,
   
   F**ked up,
   
   Moronic,
   
   Ridiculous
   
   and a few other choice words could be used to describe this entire situation.
   
   Unbelievable to say the least.

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8. 60

   Evan G Rogersposted 14 years ago

   And thats why im an anarchist

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9. 70

   lorlie6posted 14 years ago

   The sad thing is that this politico has garnered HUGE publicity, bad publicity, but press nonetheless.

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10. 87

    Pamela99posted 14 years ago

    I was shocked when I heard this story and that extraordinary fine.  Bad publicity is right!

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11. 72

    livewithrichardposted 14 years ago

    I applaud the boys for having an entrepeneurial spirit and they can chalk this up to a lesson learned.  I wonder if people would have the same reaction if it were a homeless woman or man doing the same thing in that park of if they knew that across the street from that park is a small mom and pop bakery that is barely making payroll selling the same products.
    
    Does it suck?  It sure does.  I may see things in a different perspective since my day job deeply involves the permitting process here in Chicago.
    
    Times have changed, for the worse. When I was a kid I would walk door to door asking to mow lawns, rake leaves, shovel sidewalks and driveways and even wash windows to earn money.  Earlier this summer my fiances son was given a warning by a patrolman for soliciting lawn services without the proper license.  Kids can't even mow the neighbors lawns anymore without being harassed.
    
    I started working on a petition to the town council to amend their statutes on solicitation involving minors by implementing a permit process for minors. I'm being met with opposition with concerns of child safety and unfair competition from licensed landscapers. 
    
    Personally I think it all comes down to greed.  The city wants their permit fees, the state wants their tax revenues and the landscapers don't want the competition from the neighborhood kids.  If the town council sits on this then I'll escalate it with as much negative publicity as I can muster.  Right now its hard for me because I live in Chicago and they live in they suburbs. That will change for me by next summer as I will be moving there.

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       Aficionadaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I'm really glad to get your perspective on this - it helps.
       
       When I was a little older than these kids, I earned money from taking orders for baked goods.  But I sold only to people whom I knew and who knew me.
       
       I admit that since this business by 13-year-olds involves food, and since there are food safety issues everywhere, and since it also involves selling to possible strangers, I can see something of a difference in this situation from some of the others that have been mentioned.
       
       I really like the idea of a permit process for minors.  That sounds like an absolutely terrific idea!!  Not only does it help with situations like this one, but it also helps introduce young entrepreneurs to some of the legal aspects of owning your own business.
       
       The politician in the story said that in hindsight he felt that he should have told the boys they needed a license before he called the cops.  No joke.  But I think he could also have had a talk with the boys' parents, just as a matter of information and communication.  [PS - I missed the part about the fine.  Where / what was it?]
       
       I hope this incident shakes people up enough to raise support for reviewing existing laws and for finding ways to actually assist young people in their quest to become contributing members of society.

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