Deseret News | Home burglary spawns a hip new club for teens

Reader comments
Home burglary spawns a hip new club for teens

sheila | 5:37 a.m. June 22, 2009

This idea is great .I wish that something like this would come here to CT. The children hang out or get in trouble because there is nothing to do. When a grogery store closed i hoped that someone would make something for the children but no we now have another store.New London /Groton area only has 1 skating rink,2 bowling alleys ,one duck pin,one regular bowling.thats all thats available for the kids.Good Luck to them with their club..........

Gary Moore | 7:16 a.m. June 22, 2009

Any naive kid from Lehi who thinks hip hop is cool needs to take a tour of Oakland, to see just what the culture this music glorifies is really all about.

Heart is in the right place..... | 8:15 a.m. June 22, 2009

BUT........ I'm gonna bet dollars to pesos that the type of kids that broke into their home to rob them blind aren't committing those types of crimes because there is a lack of cool clubs to hang out at. In fact, I'm gonna bet that the kids that robbed them blind aren't the clubbing type at all. That is the first problem. The second problem is that while their club is open until midnight, what are all those rowdy, hopped-up-on-caffeine-and-sugar teenagers going to do AFTER they leave the club? As a teenager, I got into most of my mischief AFTER midnight..... I'm not trying to be a naysayer, but reality to me says that a club isn't going to take the desire to commit a crime out of the type of thugs that would break into a home and steal everything in sight. I hope the best for this couple though. You gotta admire their desire to try to help the problem. Unfortunately, they're putting a band-aid on a cut that our justice(?) system continually opens wider by letting crimes go unpunished.

Comments continue below

Kinda funny | 8:37 a.m. June 22, 2009

While I whole heartedly endorse entertainment, but I guess there is a reason this isn't in the business section. I would be seriously surprised if a "hip" place or good business by Paige or Shawn. Not exactly Studio 54 material (and I mean in the hip way, not the sex drugs and rock and roll way).

Best of luck! I predict a gigantic goose egg.

Anonymous | 8:37 a.m. June 22, 2009

I'm glad they make it clear no drugs or alcohol will be tolerated, but a club that gets teens hyped up on caffeine and hormones and then sends them off late at night probably won't keep the troublesome kids from being "bored." I promise the problem isn't boredom; there's plenty for kids to do - including everything from service projects to bowling allies that already exist for them to meet their friends at. The problem is kids who want to cause trouble with their down time, whose first thought at "boredom" isn't that they should go read a book or get a game night together, but rather that they should go find something to destroy.

The money may have been better spent at a organization that gives teens service projects to do, or that helps families turn out better kids.

The Math | 8:41 a.m. June 22, 2009

Okay, to build on my previous post. Lets think about this.

$3500/month rent
$1500/month in expenses (utilities, salaries, incidentals) - complete guess but anyways

$5000 with 8 days the place is open per weekend (Fri & Sat) divided by $7/person is roughly $100 people per DAY that need to come to break even. Granted, there will be extra revenue with soda sales and red bull but sounds EXTREMELY aggressive to me.

Why does the Deseret News put these stories in there? I guess because I read them and think about them too much is the answer, but this is absolutely a train wreck of investment.

Chris | 9:15 a.m. June 22, 2009

I would be interested to see a police officer's post on this issue, but from my personal experience, most home burglaries by youth in our area are drug-related. We need more drug rehab facilities for youth and neighborhoods need to institute neighborhood watch programs.

stop griping | 10:21 a.m. June 22, 2009

What are you negative ones doing to help the problem? Stop griping and do something constructive like this family did.

Re: stop griping @ 10:21 | 11:03 a.m. June 22, 2009

Do something constructive? What exactly do you propose that we, as citizens, can do? The teens that are causing the crimes aren't going to be affected by the new club. They'll still go on committing crimes. A new club isn't going to make them change their ways. The idea that somehow having a new, hip club in town is going to make them see the error of their ways is ludicrous. Sure, the new club is going to give some teens somewhere new to hang out, but it's my gut feeling that the teens who are committing crimes aren't committing crimes out of "a lack of things to do" or "boredom". God bless this couple for their IDEA that this will somehow help solve the teen crime problem, but I'm about positive this isn't the solution. The solution, (and what I WOULD love to be a part of), is to punish teens for crimes committed. The obligatory slap-on-the-wrist isn't cutting it as evidenced by the overcrowded adult jail cells. If I could make the punishment more harsh for crimes committed, believe me I would. Therein lies the problem.

Solve crime? | 11:51 a.m. June 22, 2009

I didn't read anywhere in the story that the couple hoped it would solve the problem of home burglary. They said that they wanted to spend their insurance money on something other than material things. I don't know why all you people think that this couple hopes to cut down the number of home burglaries?

ldsstandards | 11:54 a.m. June 22, 2009

You say you wish to help kids but you will be playing and promoting the exact lifestyle,

music, lyrics, vides and more that create the problems in our society.And no its not just entertainment"!Proof is in the radio play lists just google any one of the local radio top 10's + the word, lyrics and video and you will find how vile and disgusting POP MUSIC is!
kuuu 92.5/92.1 fm
1 BLACK EYED PEAS Boom Boom Pow
2 GORILLA ZOE Echo
3 BABY BASH That's How I Go f/Mario
4 MAINO All The Above f/T-Pain
5 YUNG L.A. Ain't I f/Young Dro/T.I.
6 CHAMILLIONAIRE Creepin' f/Ludacris
7 MR. CAPONE-E Light My Fire
8 DOLLA Heatbreak Collision
9 DRAKE Best I Ever Had
10 JAMIE FOXX Blame It f/T-Pain & Yung Joc

VictorianCowgirl - Rock On! | 12:13 p.m. June 22, 2009

Shawn & Paige have never said they were starting the club to solve the crime problem. You gripers need to get a clue and your facts straight.
Growing up in a small Utah town, I would have loved to have something like this to go to. Kids are going to listen to music, hang out with friends and gorge on junk food, all of which I might add they are doing anyway, why not have safe place to do it.
Good on ya, Shawn and Paige!

justthinking | 12:40 p.m. June 22, 2009

Shawn and paige aren't trying to stop crime they are wanting somewhere the teens can go to have some fun because if you really look around in utah county for teens there is nothing but the movies its giving the kids something to do. They will be able to meet up with friends and dance and have fun times and get them off the street thats all its very simple. Kids getting togather to dance and have fun thats all nothing less nothing more sometimes i think people really need to stop being so negative. All this couple did was take some money and instead of spend it on stupid things they thought they would find a place for the kids to go that they could have good times and good memories and kinda somewhere the teens could call there own how hard is that to get? I don't understand how trying to help teens out to have a place to hang out turned into them trying to fight crime?

Great example | 12:46 p.m. June 22, 2009

Whatever the outcome, what a better place this world would be if everyone thought less about themselves, just as this couple is doing.

It might be profitable, it might not, it might keep some kids out of trouble, it might not, but the more things we try to do, the better.

Kudos to this couple for their rare display of personal sacrifice and unselfishness for their community, especially when doing so after being victimized themselves. Quite the Christ-like attitude, if you ask me!

Negative influences | 12:56 p.m. June 22, 2009

Today's pop culture is part of what is encouraging teens' bad behavior. Promoting that pop culture in such a club does nothing to negate that problem rather encourages it. There is no way I would trust my children to such an environment, not knowing what is being pushed on them. Include the peer influences in that mix and it lessens my opinion of the place even more.

This well meaning couple should use their resources to promote more family related activities, thus encouraging families to remain involved and active together. Promotion of these values will help children to make better choices and know that they're cared for, not just that there's yet another babysitting medium available.

MR MR | 1:02 p.m. June 22, 2009

HMMMMMMM seems to me we as Americans need to go back to the old fashioned way of parenting, maybe like Dr. Laura believes if your going to have children the mother should be HOME!!!!!!!! Children breaking into homes is a parenting issue not a issue of starting up places for them to get into more trouble and also a place for them to meet girls/guys and get pregnant, yea that's just what we need is more young unwed mothers on government assistance!!!! Yea why don't we try parenting our children OR maybe NOT have any at all!!!!!! NUFF SAID!!!!!!!???????

DISCRIMINATION | 1:53 p.m. June 22, 2009

"Admittance into the teen-only retreat requires two things: a school activity card verifying a student is in grades nine through 12, and $7."
Anyone else see a problem in the above statement, oh and it is not the $7. You must have a school activity card? I have no children so I have no idea what the card really is. But it raises some serious questions when I read the above statement. If youre a high school dropout, who should be in a grade between 6 and 12, shouldnt you be allowed into the club? Seems like discrimination if you dont let a person in for the sole reason of their education level. Please dont respond tiring to justify / make excuses why this discrimination is acceptable. No discrimination is acceptable, if you like it or not. Do home schooled people get school activity cards? Let me know what the activity cards really are, I tried to Google it didnt get a clean answer. Not a fan a discrimination where ever it might be so I had to point that out.

Re: Discrimination | 2:07 p.m. June 22, 2009

I think I just discriminate against dumb people.

@1:53 | 2:40 p.m. June 22, 2009

A school activity card is essentially a school ID. I would be willing to bet they are asking for that because for a lot of children in 9th grade cannot get a driver's license and they are asking for proof of age. I seriously doubt a high school drop out would be barred from this club (if he/she wanted to go) if they could prove their age (high school age) with acceptable ID.

Re: Discrimination | 3:08 p.m. June 22, 2009

"I think I just discriminate against dumb people"

Your comment makes it too easy. Who says who the dumb people are? I think that the above comment is one typically posted by dumb people. So now i guess your a dumb person.

Anonymous | 3:15 p.m. June 22, 2009

Can a 9th grader get a state ID card?
So fix the problem of children needing photo ID cards. Have children if needed get a photo ID card. Why should the school have anything to do with ID card that pertains to anything outside of school? I can see a school ID card being used at school and for school things. But seriously, you need a school ID card to get into a privet clubs dance party? The school shouldnt be regulating you children outside of school hours. Parents regulate what your child does outside of school. Why should the school have anything to do with a dance club that parties till 12 am?

justhinking | 4:08 p.m. June 22, 2009

I would think in a way they would be helping the schools out cause they have to pay for the activity cards so the kids will be paying for the activity card for some type of Id there for giving the school some more money! And i'm sure if they have a id that shows them as 15-18 they will have no problem letting you in just some type of id showing that your 9th through 12th and its easy for the cut of go by the school yr meaning if they are 18 by aug of that yr then aren't allowed anymore cause they aren't in school its for kids for highschool age is what i'm understanding. But it seems no matter what these people try to do someone is going to complain. I think with how many highschools in utah county that they will more then have plenty of kids wanting to come and hang out and dance! 2 in Lehi 2 in AF 1 in PG 3 in Orem 2 in Provo and so on and so on ummm yea i think the kids are going to have fun.

jenny | 4:47 p.m. June 22, 2009

i agree with the above statement. the pop music on utah radio degrades girls promotes sx, violence drugs etc. how can utah high school kids dance to a song saying blame it on the goose...meaning grey goose alcohol????? then the comment about his pants?

wake up utah your kids are being led astray!

now if they want to open a nice restuarant with clean music we could use that for our kids!

80's remix | 4:55 p.m. June 22, 2009

I love the idea. I remember going to the Bay in the 80's. It was a great place to go and meet people and to stay out of trouble. As for what to do afterward... Shouldn't kids have parents that are smart enough and responsible enough to set curfews. I know I had a curfew and I loved going to the Bay or Xenon, Plastique, and the Ivey Tower. I even met my wife at the Bay after I got back from my mission.

As for the music being played, have you really looked at the words of the songs you used to listen to when you were that age? I have and I cringe at the thought of my kids listening to those lyrics. I know they went way over my head though. I am sure these will do the same.

no one | 5:48 p.m. June 22, 2009

I agree with 80's i was just happy to be dancing at the Palace with my friends and visiting with all of the other kids from other schools. We went every Friday night cause there wasn't anything else much for us to do! I think this is a great idea for the kids to go hang out and just dance and have fun i didn't pay attention to what the music was saying or meant i was just dancing and having a good time. This is something that i will let my kids go to but like myself i had a curfew after the palace got over at 12am i had to be home by 1am giving me time to go from Provo to American Fork just enough time for me to go home and tell my parents i had made it home. So honestly i think the parents need to set a curfew and have more control on where the kids are.

Re: MR MR | 7:26 p.m. June 22, 2009

As a mom who has had to work (so my family wouldn't be on welfare-not to pay for fancy vacations) I find your comment highly offensive. Whether moms work or not is immaterial-there are plenty of moms who don't who have horrible kids. The three biggest factors, according to research, influencing a child's home environment are communication, parenting style (nothing to do with whether a mom is at home or not), and supervision. I am tired of narrow minded viewpoints like yours and others who assume that just because a mom is home the kids will be hunky-dory. Not so, my friend, not so.

Walter Lippmann | 11:31 p.m. June 22, 2009

Thats nice that they are trying to do something for the community, maybe they should teach writing and quality journalism. This article sounds like it was written by a high school creative writing class. Is it really necessary to include every "hip" teenage lingo. Rather than having good style, the article is way over the top and becomes annoying to read.

SmilingTeacher | 6:29 a.m. June 23, 2009

This is the second article I've read about the Robison's club in Lehi and both have been very positive and focused on the fact that the family simply wanted another option for teens. I don't believe that they are trying to solve the world's problems, but if it keeps a few more kids off the streets, what can it hurt? Also, research shows that many teens who do get into trouble, whether it be through drugs or other actions, do so because they want to be accepted and have someone pay attention to them. Maybe this club will be that attention and accepting influence for a few kids.

lori | 2:33 p.m. June 23, 2009

I would post the exact lyrics to todays "hit" music but the moderator would ban me. 80's you have to be kidding me right? the music today is far worse!!! Just compare lyrics from michael jackson to 50 cent or t.i. or watch the videos. Please stop making excuses!!!!

No one | 5:42 p.m. June 23, 2009

But the thing is Lori these kids even get this type of music at there dances that they go to at Highschool that they pay to get into you know girl or guy dance dates Or chuch dances! Or they listen to it in the cars. For a couple that is just trying to find somewhere for the teens to hang out and just have fun and have somewhere they can call there own just like we did when we were younger with the Palace you would think people would be more supportive. But your always going to have the negative people that can't be nothing but NEGATIVE about everything. No one is making excuses, what are you doing to do to help the teens so they have something to do hate to break it to you but Service projects and bowling alleys just aren't the same as it was in your era or reading books like other people have made comments about and the lady that said she wouldn't let her kids go there. Her kids will be the first one's there and lying and saying they are somewhere else. Stop being so negative people.

Stephanie | 6:28 p.m. June 23, 2009

OH PLEASE! This is the one thing I really hate obout many of my Utah friends. They preach and theach but when it comes to entertainment there is always an excuse! Yeah so what if the music promotes sx, drugs, gangs, violence and more...right? As long as they are under good adult supervision. Oh yeah like that doesn't just tell them that the adults condone it. You keep using the negative word thats a COPOUT! Try to have a dance hall with clean music or play oldies or have bands but kepp the MUSIC CLEAN!!!!! Too hard for some of you parents because you dont want to spend the time actually protecting your children?

No Name | 9:56 p.m. June 23, 2009

You know i hear all you mothers or fathers talking about this music being bad! Or all the other gripping negative people and there comments. But i don't see anyone of you trying to do anything half as passionate as this couple have done by trying to have somewhere safe and fun for the kids to go. Its very simple the kids will go to Dance and hang out with there friends and the more you try to get your kids not to listen to this music the more they just will do it behind your backs I was raised with Parents the same way with the music and i just went to my friends and listened and when my parents where gone i would turn the channel and i never understood what the music meant. But the more my parents tryed to keep me away from it the more i wanted to know what it was about. And as for the Negative word being a cop out i have to agree it just seems like people are full of nothing but negative comments. This couple deserves nothing but well wishes for what they are trying to do.

frank | 8:31 a.m. June 24, 2009

just be positive then all the bad monsters will go away. What a load!

Mother of 2 teen girls | 7:43 p.m. June 24, 2009

Paige & Shawn have a fantastic idea, they arent asking for donations or even praise they are trying to get the word out. Kids need a place to go where they can have a good time, and do what kids do, I will be dropping my girls off there at least once a weekend after it opens! I trust my children like my parents trusted me. Alot of Utah parents think that protecting their children from the worst of the world will keep them out of trouble when it really just makes them rebel against their parents. Yes the music out there has alot of crap in it. So do video games, and every teenage related medium out there. Have you been in a hall when school classes change? Limiting access to teenagers with school ID's protects the kids from those older trouble causing 19+ year olds looking for a 15 year old girl. Give them guidance, be there for them and let them learn lifes lessons. Be thankful someone cares enough to give all our children a fun/safe place to be on the weekend. Simple- you dont want your kids there keep them locked up at your house.

mother of teens | 8:14 p.m. June 24, 2009

I am so happy to see this club opening. Its about time we got another one open. I loved going to the Palace when i was a teen. I live in Payson and i will be taking my kids to experince this part of their teen life when ever we can. I think it is a great unselfish act. I wish we could do the same in Payson. Good job Paige and Shawn, It will be great.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.