Teens cause chaos at HPD

By on Monday, May 22nd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HERMISTON – When an 18-year-old male was assaulted in Hodge Park for allegedly refusing to buy drugs from five teenagers, four of the suspects, between the ages of 14 and 16, were arrested and booked into the juvenile facility in Walla Walla. A fifth suspect is being sought. Meanwhile, Hermiston police issued citations to parents for failing to supervise a minor.

That law has been on the books for more than 20 years, with an average of about three citations a year, mainly due to graffiti. Police Chief Jason Edmiston said the four who were arrested last week created chaos in the police station.

“This group of four acted like absolute animals with just nothing other than an entitled thug mentality,” he said.

Edmiston said one of the parents asked police to scare her child to stop the bad behavior. An officer decided to show her what they were up against by opening the door so she could hear what was going on behind the scenes.

“The officer opened the door and let the mother listen to the absolute chaos that was going on – the screaming, the whistling, the laughing, the racial slurs,” he said.

We asked Edmiston if the suspects were displaying the type of behavior of being an organized gang.

“This group obviously acted like a gang,” he said. “A gang of thugs. But we’re talking about more like just absolute anarchy-type behavior from this group. Not a care in the world.”

When Edmiston informed the public about the arrests and the citations for parents, there were plenty of comments on social media. Some of the comments were “How can parents be responsible for bad behavior when their child is at school?” Edmiston responded that this particular group of teens are “hardly ever” in school.

The assault in the park was captured by surveillance cameras. The suspects are facing third-degree assault charges and Edmiston said there’s a possibility that felony riot charges will be lodged since it was at least five against one.

The 18 year old was injured but is expected to recover. He said the assault began when he refused to buy narcotics from the teens.