TXHunter
member
Posts: 44
Loc: Allen, Texas, USA
Reg: 06-26-00
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11-28-09 09:50 AM - Post#100808
Just want to give a warning to parents of teens looking to find their first job in Allen. When my step daughter turned 16 last November my wife and I let her apply for a job at the Allen IHOP and she started to work there in December. Now fast forward to last week when we found a bag a pot in her car. The ensuing 24 hours showed us that no matter how involved we were in her life and the steps we took to keep her safe, we had failed. The rage and behavior exhibited by her when we would not give it back told us there was more to this than just a bag of "weed". After going through her phone and seeing the text messages, pictures and emails we realized every parent's nightmare that our child had turned into something entirely different than what we had raised her to be.
You're probably thinking "what does IHop have to do with this?". And I will answer this question, now. Many of the pictures on her phone showed IHOP employees, in uniform in the kitchen and break room of the Allen restaurant smoking pot from homemade aluminum foil pipes. And emails and text messages discussed arranging purchases of coke and pot in the parking lot before and after shifts with other IHOP employees. There were messages about parties and who was bringing how many ounces and lines to share. And here's where it gets even more surreal. When the manager was told about all these activities the response I got was "this is a really busy time of year for us". So even after we called him to tell him of all this and asked him to terminate my step daughter's employment for these reasons, she is still working. And we have not seen her since that night, though we know she is living with her father the violent felon and child molester. But due to some quirk in Texas family law as a 17 year old she gets to decide where she lives.
The up side of this story is that we have been contacting the parents of these kids that are involved and letting them know what's going on. Every one of them has been thankful because like us they had no idea. We wish someone had given us a phone call months ago when this all began with our daughter.
So there you have it. Be wary of where your children work. And when they say you're asking too many questions, ask more because you're getting close to something.
Political Correctness: A liberal idea that holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1475
Reg: 08-31-05
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11-28-09 11:00 AM - Post#100810
In response to TXHunter
Very disturbing - but did you contact the Allen police? I would have contacted the police before the store manager (especially given the manager's response).
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crochet_lover
enthusiast
Posts: 139
Loc: Allen, Texas U.S.A.
Reg: 05-17-05
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11-28-09 11:26 AM - Post#100811
In response to jogo
Sorry to hear your family is in the middle of this. From what I hear from my kids and their friends, drugs are very easy to get at the high school level. IHOP- now I can't believe the manager didn't take that more seriously. I agree, you should contact the police, then IHOP corporate.
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TXHunter
member
Posts: 44
Loc: Allen, Texas, USA
Reg: 06-26-00
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11-28-09 11:26 AM - Post#100812
In response to jogo
Yes, the Allen PD are aware of some of this. You see, my step daughter was under the impression that since she was 17 we could not do anything about it so she called the Police herself to report that her rights were being 'violated'. She was arrested and charged with drug possession.
We did not become aware of the rest until the last 24 hours after going through her cell phone. The phone is going to the Allen PD Narcotics department Monday morning. And IHOP Corporate already has an email from me and will be getting a phone call Monday, as well.
Political Correctness: A liberal idea that holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
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Edited by TXHunter on 11-28-09 11:27 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1475
Reg: 08-31-05
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11-28-09 12:15 PM - Post#100817
In response to TXHunter
The phone is going to the Allen PD Narcotics department Monday morning. And IHOP Corporate already has an email from me and will be getting a phone call Monday, as well.
Thank you for taking taking the extra steps needed to stop this problem (at least at IHOP). You're helping more than just your own child by doing this.
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vm7mm
enthusiast
Posts: 1527
Loc: Allen Tx usa
Reg: 08-12-04
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11-28-09 01:07 PM - Post#100820
In response to TXHunter
Be very carefull when dealing with APD. APD had an informant working for them, he came to my son and wanted to know if he knew where to get some drugs. My son did some DJ work with one of his friends here in Allen, at a club in Dallas (he knew of a dealer there). He made a mistake and did the drug deal. He was arrested and agreed to tell Sergeant W. (narcotics dept.) what he knew and that would most likely be the end of it. Sergeant W. got all the information out of him he could and then went to the DA and they filed charges against him. This cost us 17 thousand in attorney fees and over 5 thousand in fines. Do not talk to APD at all without an Attorney. My son was minding his own business and this boy that set him up needed another bust to keep himself out of trouble. My son had known this kid for ten years. Again, DO NOT TRUST APD AT ALL!!!!! (or your so called friends). They pretend to be your friend, then all of a sudden, you have warrants out for your arrest. TXHunter, I would not take the phone to APD, you really need to speak with an Attorney before going any further with this, trust me on this one. After this started with my son, he was pulled over for not using his turn signal 100 feet before the intersection, handcuffed, car towed (and torn up by being searched) put in jail and not allowed a phone call untill Sergeant W. got there the next day to question him about all of this. He was read his rights, but they scared him into talking. He had just turned 18. Something like this will probably happen to all of the kids that are on that phone if APD gets a hold of it.
Edited by vm7mm on 11-28-09 02:29 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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monita
enthusiast
Posts: 443
Reg: 06-05-08
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11-28-09 01:24 PM - Post#100821
In response to TXHunter
Thanks for sharing (wake up call) good luck to you and your family.
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 Webmaster
Community Manager
Posts: 3214
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 01-24-00
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11-28-09 02:28 PM - Post#100829
In response to vm7mm
Please do not revisit publicly the situation you had in the past with the Allen PD. That topic was discussed fully before, and since it involved an attorney it should remain private. Plus, at that time you explained in detail your feelings about the Allen PD. You can of course always use the Private Message feature.
But you know all this anyway.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Allen finds it on. . . Allen Online! |
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vm7mm
enthusiast
Posts: 1527
Loc: Allen Tx usa
Reg: 08-12-04
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11-28-09 02:30 PM - Post#100830
In response to Webmaster
OK, just trying to let people know what can happen. If anyone wishes more information, PM me.
Edited by vm7mm on 11-28-09 02:34 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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allen
enthusiast
Posts: 1965
Reg: 12-02-05
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11-28-09 05:15 PM - Post#100842
In response to vm7mm
I hadn't heard the story before.
| We sittin' here, I'm supposed to be a franchise player....and we in here talkin' 'bout PRACTICE? |
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vm7mm
enthusiast
Posts: 1527
Loc: Allen Tx usa
Reg: 08-12-04
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11-28-09 05:46 PM - Post#100843
In response to allen
Because I have not told this story before, Web is talking about how much I dislike the APD because of how it operates. There is much more to tell. Most enthusiasts here know how I feel about APD and he probably does not want to get this stirred up again. There are several other posters here with similar circumstances that agree with me, but will not speak up for certain reasons.
Edited by vm7mm on 11-28-09 06:03 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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jacksboro 1
newbie
Posts: 4
Reg: 11-28-09
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11-28-09 11:56 PM - Post#100853
In response to TXHunter
We have had the same problem with our teen at iHop. The crowd (mostly underage)that works there were involved in drugs, smoking, drinking, etc. There were drugs in the store, and usage in the parking lot, as well as many parties before and after work. It's a shame that a place that supposedly stands for values and integrity (according to their website), and is supposed to be family friendly, attracts those kinds of employees. Our child no longer works there for just that reason. It's a further shame that management seems to turn a blind eye to what is going on in and around their establishment, and that it is continuing to go on. I am sorry that your daughter did not get out quickly enough before getting pulled down. Our prayers will be with you.
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Pollyanna
enthusiast
Posts: 1062
Reg: 08-16-04
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11-29-09 10:41 PM - Post#100892
In response to TXHunter
Call and demand to speak to the CEO - or he can deal w/damage control. Not a threat . . . a promise. That management has to go.
No wonder the food is so bad.
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allen
enthusiast
Posts: 1965
Reg: 12-02-05
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11-29-09 10:47 PM - Post#100893
In response to Pollyanna
That's kind of the culture of servers/bartenders/etc. It is well known that MANY waitstaff (no matter the restaurant) are drug users. I had a friend that worked at Chili's in college that had some real stories to tell.
| We sittin' here, I'm supposed to be a franchise player....and we in here talkin' 'bout PRACTICE? |
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lcr2004
enthusiast
Posts: 2387
Reg: 03-10-05
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11-29-09 11:57 PM - Post#100899
In response to allen
All the more reason I'm going to do everything I can to keep my kid from having to work until he's out of college.
All you learn from jobs waiting tables and working in retail stores is a whole different life than you grew up with, one full of all the things your parents taught you to stay away from. No way is it worth $150 a week for your kid to be exposed to that - I knew lots of kids growing up that were straight-A students until they got into HS and fell in with a new crowd...and it usually centered around a bunch of loser 18-24 year olds at their jobs. Most kids don't learn responsibility from working minimum-wage jobs as a 16-17 year old - you learn how to be a loser like the people working full-time doing them. You learn responsibility by working a little over the summer, saving your money, and busting your butt in school - the $40-100+ grand that makes you to pay for college is FAR better than any job at IHOP, McDonalds, or Walmart.
I'm sorry to hear about what the OP's family is going through, but it also sounds like the daughter may have a terrible influence on the other side of the family as well.
Best of luck to all...I hate hearing about this sort of thing.
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TXHunter
member
Posts: 44
Loc: Allen, Texas, USA
Reg: 06-26-00
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11-30-09 05:38 PM - Post#100950
In response to lcr2004
Update: I have been contacted by the head of HR for IHOP and they asked for information concerning this whole mess. I gave them names, dates and will be emailing them the pictures I have tonight and she assured me that the investigation will take place and be completed by the middle of this week. She also reiterated their zero tolerance policy.
We shall see. Thanks for all the responses of support, and otherwise.
Political Correctness: A liberal idea that holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
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AG1964
newbie
Posts: 6
Reg: 10-19-07
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11-30-09 06:16 PM - Post#100951
In response to TXHunter
TXHunter, Thanks for sharing your story and taking action. My prayers are with you and your family. 
Life is what you make it.
Make it a great day! |
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TXHunter
member
Posts: 44
Loc: Allen, Texas, USA
Reg: 06-26-00
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11-30-09 07:15 PM - Post#100954
In response to AG1964
Prayers are what we need. Thanks for that!
Much progress today with APD and IHOP Corp. My wife and I are both encouraged by the support they are showing. But my personal jihad against teen drug use is just beginning.
Political Correctness: A liberal idea that holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
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Aolain
enthusiast
Posts: 1270
Reg: 11-13-06
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11-30-09 10:38 PM - Post#100968
In response to vm7mm
If kids are doing drugs, dealing drugs, why is the APD at fault?
Here is a question:
If the "perp" was a black kid "in the hood" would we be so sympathetic?
A suburban kids gets involved in drugs, it is not the APD's problem.............
If the APD busts an upper-middle class white kid for drugs, I say, good for the APD.
Sorry to be so harsh here.
Edited by Aolain on 11-30-09 10:40 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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vm7mm
enthusiast
Posts: 1527
Loc: Allen Tx usa
Reg: 08-12-04
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12-01-09 07:10 AM - Post#100979
In response to Aolain
READ MY POST, he was minding his own business, one of their snitches set him up because he needed a bust to save his behind. In the beginning of all this, the DA did not want to file charges against him but APD kept pushing the issue until he finally did. I do not have a problem with APD busting kids for drugs, it was the way they went about it.
Edited by vm7mm on 12-01-09 07:45 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Retired 1
enthusiast
Posts: 1168
Reg: 02-20-02
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12-01-09 08:40 AM - Post#100980
In response to Aolain
If kids are doing drugs, dealing drugs, why is the APD at fault?
Here is a question:
If the "perp" was a black kid "in the hood" would we be so sympathetic?
A suburban kids gets involved in drugs, it is not the APD's problem.............
If the APD busts an upper-middle class white kid for drugs, I say, good for the APD.
Sorry to be so harsh here.
I agree. Drugs are bad and getting caught is sometimes the best thing that can happen to them. Especially outside of the hood! I lost some good friends growing up. They went with the wrong crowd and their lives changed forever.
I have no mercy for drug dealers or those who set you up with one (same misdeed as dealing). It's too bad that some parents are just too stupid to let their kid learn a valuable lesson. We're so busy protecting lil Johnny that we end up missing a valuable lesson and end up condoning the action. "That bully cop...shame on him for doing his job!"
You get caught with drugs maybe the courts can show you mercy and you can learn a lesson. If you get caught dealing or showing people where the dealer is then you deserve a minimum 5 to 10 year sentence without parole. We are way too lax on the drug issue as a society.
Drugs are bad and we should make examples of those who are caught.
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vm7mm
enthusiast
Posts: 1527
Loc: Allen Tx usa
Reg: 08-12-04
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12-01-09 12:07 PM - Post#101001
In response to Retired 1
So, if one of your children (that had never been in trouble before) got set up by APD and one of their snitches, you would let he or she go to prison? That would just turn a good kid into a bad adult.
Edited by vm7mm on 12-01-09 12:35 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Webmaster
Community Manager
Posts: 3214
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 01-24-00
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12-01-09 12:53 PM - Post#101003
In response to vm7mm
To all:
Please stay on topic it is only fair to the original poster.
Web
Allen finds it on. . . Allen Online! |
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AG1964
newbie
Posts: 6
Reg: 10-19-07
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12-01-09 02:29 PM - Post#101008
In response to Webmaster
I agree with the Webmaster.
Start a new thread if you like but I would like to know how TXHunter is doing and if they get some type of resolution.
Life is what you make it.
Make it a great day! |
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TXHunter
member
Posts: 44
Loc: Allen, Texas, USA
Reg: 06-26-00
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12-01-09 04:10 PM - Post#101023
In response to AG1964
Hello, 911? Can I have my thread back, please!? 
Political Correctness: A liberal idea that holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
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Retired 1
enthusiast
Posts: 1168
Reg: 02-20-02
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12-01-09 04:11 PM - Post#101024
In response to AG1964
I'm glad the OP contacted management. They need to know. However, don't categorize (as one poster did) all of those types of employment as breeding grounds for drug users. I bused tables in high school and was a waiter all through college and I never witnessed that type of behavior. Plus it's pretty risky throwing IHOP under the bus. You have a daughter that was hanging with the wrong crowd and based on her history of abuse, etc. she was a high-risk child. "Just say No" comes to mind. It's not fair to defame a company especially for not wrongfully terminating her.
Yes, if my child was busted for drugs he'll serve the time. They know now they'll pay consequences for crimes or misdeeds committed. Pretty black and white at my house. Showered with love but unwavering on consequences. I've had kids miss playoff games or major activities because they made a mistake. My son did something disruptive last year in class (made a joke in the middle of class) and the teacher asked if I would be okay with him staying in detention for 15 minutes after class. I asked her to double it and to make sure he was 'miserable'. He hasn't messed up since. Raise the bar and society will be better for it. Off the soapbox now...
Good job OP for finding the bag of weed and handling the issue...and for acknowledging failure. None of us are perfect and we all make mistakes. You dealt with it so great job!
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TXHunter
member
Posts: 44
Loc: Allen, Texas, USA
Reg: 06-26-00
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12-02-09 09:48 AM - Post#101062
In response to Retired 1
Not sure if you're referring to me as "throwing IHOP under the bus" or not. But my only problem with them was when I asked that her employment be terminated and they would not. And what made it worse was the reason given.
I was contacted again last night by IHOP and informed of the results of their investigation and am now satisfied that my request has been answered. We have now finished contacting the parents of those kids involved and with the exception of one who was reluctant to believe it they were all grateful for the heads up. Hopefully we have prevented them from having to go through the ordeal that my family is now.
Thanks again for all the responses. And don't forget, if they say you're asking too many questions, ask some more cause you're getting close to something.
Political Correctness: A liberal idea that holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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12-03-09 12:31 PM - Post#101170
In response to TXHunter
My guess is that if HR is involved, there will be heads rolling.
Try this one out - results or the photos get sent to tmz.
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TXHunter
member
Posts: 44
Loc: Allen, Texas, USA
Reg: 06-26-00
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12-07-09 10:04 AM - Post#101369
In response to DrivinTooFast
I was thinking more like Fox 4. But that was not necessary in the end. IHOP handled the issue, probably more out of cya than anything but they did.
Political Correctness: A liberal idea that holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5920
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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12-07-09 02:11 PM - Post#101397
In response to TXHunter
So they got a whole new staff there now?
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TXHunter
member
Posts: 44
Loc: Allen, Texas, USA
Reg: 06-26-00
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01-04-10 03:01 PM - Post#102842
In response to Al C
Dont know about a whole new staff but there are/were 6 less employees there than when this all started. Some were dismissed and some quit rather than submit to drug testing.
Political Correctness: A liberal idea that holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
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campbellfam
enthusiast
Posts: 1849
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 07-12-02
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01-05-10 08:44 AM - Post#102894
In response to TXHunter
We had a friend go through the hell of a teenager using drugs and I am terrified for my kids and my sympathies and prayers go out to you.
Our friend had the hardest time getting the APD to follow up on drug reports even with photo evidence and she did a lot of what you did- call parents herself, contact HR of the restaurant her daughter was working for at the time. She told me to not let my kids work at any restaurants in the area, including fast food restaurants as dealers like to target places where kids are and employees get sucked in fast because they have a paycheck they can use to buy.
I hope your daughter comes out the other side safe and wiser.
| Unless specified above, this post is not directed toward anyone in particular. |
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mspam3
enthusiast
Posts: 2379
Loc: Allen TX
Reg: 03-10-07
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01-05-10 04:55 PM - Post#102927
In response to campbellfam
Those teen years are scary. Our 2 made it through drug and alcohol free but we did have a span of time when my daughter worked at a fast food place here. There was a girl that worked there who never graduated and wasn't even from here. She just lived in an aprtment here and worked. She was into drugs and often tried to get our daughter hooked up which our daughter wanted no part of.
I found out that this girl was on parole for stealing. Then when I found out she had violated her parole, I threatened to go to the police if she didn't stay away from my daughter and that if she tried to retaliate, I would be sure she got sent back to Florida where she came from.
I didn't tell my daughter that I did that as she would have been furious with me for interfering, but that's what parents are for. Not only to teach but to protect.
Later on, our daughter's car was broken into at her apartment complex and I have always wondered if it was that girl. I don't know hwatever happened to her.
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Karen Matt
newbie
Posts: 2
Reg: 05-01-12
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05-01-12 06:52 AM - Post#148685
In response to Retired 1
For parents whose teens have fallen into bad company and have started engaging in dangerous behavior, seeking help is a good idea. The earlier the intervention, the better. Being with the wrong crowd are one of the main causes of drug abuse and addiction. It can have you end up locked up, killed, pregnant or catch a STD.
There are a few suggestions here for parents of troubled teen who hang out with bad friends.
Edited by Karen Matt on 05-01-12 07:06 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Anonymous
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05-01-12 11:35 AM - Post#148702
In response to Karen Matt
The teen drug issue is merely the symptom. Frankly, pot doesn't scare me a bit, but that's because I come from a place that has broken down the walls of propaganda regarding this plant. Alcohol, cocaine and beyond are where the real problems lie. 80% of Americans have experimented with pot at some point in their lives and go on to be successful humans even while continuing. If we could simply remove the mystique associated with this plant, we could reduce the rebellion that causes some kids to try something their parents are so afraid of.
Lastly, the "bad element" associated with pot is the exact "bad element" associated with alcohol during prohibition. It's the prohibition that creates this need to test the boundary. Talk to your kids honestly about drugs minus the drama and hyperbole and you'll get through to them. If you're spewing misinformation about a plant, your kids know you don't have a clue and will shut you out.
Remember, I have no clue what I'm speaking of, just 18 years working with incarcerated youth who never should have been inside a jail for pot. It's not the pot that ruins your kid's life, it's dealing with this plant on a criminal level that ruins lives.
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mcollins45
member
Posts: 46
Reg: 01-24-10
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05-07-12 02:14 PM - Post#149094
In response to MissingChico
Good statement
| Keep looking up because thats where it all is |
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vm7mm
enthusiast
Posts: 1527
Loc: Allen Tx usa
Reg: 08-12-04
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05-07-12 06:11 PM - Post#149104
In response to MissingChico
http://now.msn.com/money/0417-billions-s aved-by-le...
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