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Teens Jump Off Terrace Roof Save Email Print

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Madison Police say 2 teens were ticketed last week after they jumped 60 feet into Lake Monona from the roof of the Monona Terrace.

Nineteen year olds, Henry Martin and Joseph Howell from Monona jumped from the top of the Terrace into Lake Monona on August 9th. Monona Terrace security cameras caught the men in the act and security officers called police with a description of the boats that picked the men up. Dane County Sheriff's Department Lakes Patrol Deputies were able to locate the boat and the two jumpers.

Monona Terrace's Manager of Community and Public Relations, Fran Puleo, says she's very concerned about the incident. She says it's a major safety risk. "It's a very long way down and with the concern of wind and that distance, it's very likely they could miss," said Fran Puleo.

Police ticketed the men for trespassing. The find is $424 for each individual. The Monona Terrace has signs posted on the upper deck warning patrons to not jump. However, Monona Terrace says it plans to work with the city and law enforcement to make the sanctions even stricter for those who disobey the signs and leap into the lake.

The teens indicated they got the idea for the stunt from a friend's My Space page.

Police say young people jumping from the roof is an ongoing problem.

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Posted by: Anonymous Location: Madison on Sep 16, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Whatever happened to living like you were dying? People are constantly urged to live life to the fullest and I think that's all these guys were doing. Jumping off the Monona Terrace is no more dangerous then jumping into the lake in February for the Polar Plunge and plenty of people do that in Madison every year. People just need to get over this and move on. Way to go guys!

Posted by: Bottom Line Location: Madison on Aug 27, 2007 at 11:46 AM
The bottom line here is that it was a stupid thing to do. I don't care why they did it. And to those who are making the comments about it's not a big deal, boys will be boys, just kids having fun...wait until someone does get hurt jumping off and then decides to sue the city.

Posted by: friendofjumpers Location: Monona on Aug 25, 2007 at 04:23 PM
No matter how "well" you try to raise your child, they are always going to make their own decisions at that age. You can't expect to suffocate them from their own thrills and excitements. Especially considering the age (19). Finally out on their own, enjoying their freedom as a maturing adult. It's so ridiculous someone would accuse the cause of this act as poor parenting. Step out of your little box and live a little! SHEESH!

Posted by: Mike Location: n/a on Aug 25, 2007 at 03:34 PM
Okay, okay,okay I apoligize for all the harsh comments I said about the young two teenagers. Honestly, I have no children and don't really understand why kids do such crazy stunts yet. Well my wife Bianca is now 5 months pregnant with two children. I sure hope they dont jump off any bridge but I guess from wut u guys are saying I shouldnt be so judgemental and give ppl a little break. Sorry.

Posted by: Friend of Jumpers Location: Cottage Grove on Aug 19, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Mike and Todd, maybe before the two of you start going after the families you should get some background first. You know nothing about either of the two or their families. Both are college students, both athletes, and both have families with involved, great parents. I think the two of you need to review your lives sitting here making harsh comments on peoples lifestyles and the way their parents have raised them and go run your mouth about something you know nothing about somewhere else. I got the same exact ticket a little over a year ago for pulling into mcdonalds parking lot, finishing my phone call in my car then getting out to walk in and recieved a loitering ticket because someone was (and I quote) "stabbed in the area" a week previous. I was told they weren't taking any chances.. Do I have bad parents too?

Posted by: Billy Bob Location: madison on Aug 18, 2007 at 10:01 PM
I think the media in madison is making this a way bigger deal that what it actually is. Truth is, it was just two guys wanting to jump off the terrace: not because of "bad parenting" but just because they wanted to how what is that to understand? I think the media and police are pushin this issue so more people jump off and they can hand out more $424 tickets.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Monona on Aug 18, 2007 at 08:09 PM
In response to Mike's comment, these kids are actually college students. And for you to judge their families the way you did is more immature than their decision to jump. They are two young adults that were bored and thought why not do something crazy. I know one of the families very well and if I had kids I would have absolutely no problem leaving them in the hands of the family or even in the hands of one of the boys that jumped. They are good kids that made a bad decision. By no means are they suicidal! If they were they probably would not have made it to the water.

Posted by: Wilcox Location: Madison on Aug 18, 2007 at 10:58 AM
woah all you saying it was "horrible judgement" is just ridiculous... i am part of this generation and i knew the two gentleman and i am very proud of what they did for our community.. if you don't appreciate it, then seriously hide in your little "protected haven" from all the excitement and golden oppertunites life has to offer.. i'm sick of adults complaining about how certain parents are unsuccesful in raising their children... every child needs their fiftenn minutes of fame and needs a little excitement in their life... sure it sounds somewhat dangerous to jump off the Monona Terrance but they survived because they obiously knew what they were doing before they did this incident... The reality of it is that those arrogant adults who but in everyone else's life is just simply embarassing... Just stop!

Posted by: Annomous Location: Monona on Aug 17, 2007 at 11:06 PM
Well i graduated with these guys. It seems like to me that the news is portraying them as like rebels and stuff. But there really not. We didn't have much of a violence problem or anything at MG. So i dont think its that big of a deal. I mean yeah its dangerous but, hey lifes about taking chances. Now they can say when there older to there children that they were all over the news for juming from the terrace to lake monona. I actually think its kinda funny. And kinda typical. Haha.. Boys will be boys.

Posted by: colin Location: Superior, WI on Aug 17, 2007 at 09:48 PM
I go to school with Joe and I've seen him jump off higher structures. I'm sure he was doing this "stunt" for the thrill and not the fame it came with; granted now he will be the big man on campus next year. I know his mom and believe me, Joe's decision to jump was not based on the parenting skills of his mom.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 17, 2007 at 09:15 AM
Im one of the people that jumped...And mike i dont get any idea where you got that this has to do anything with my parents rasing me..Thats just a slap in the face to my parents...You obviously dont know the first thing about me so who are you to judge. It was merely a thing of fun and looking for a rush nothing more nothing less. I hope your kids are in the news and get the harassing i did. karma mike karma.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 16, 2007 at 09:46 PM
I personally think mike needs to think before he talks, people have done this alot! maybe not EVERY person is televised but for heavens sake, let teenagers have some fun and yeah they are both COLLEGE students although they are from Monona neither of them go to college in Madison so you shouldnt be judging people by that. Both families are completely normal and very nice, kids like to have fun and I'm sure you did when you were younger too (depending on your age right now) and if you didnt i guess your the one that is missing out. Dont judge these good MATURE adults by one thing they did just to have fun. They are not just stupid kids, they are actually very mature and smart. Just because there are some people out there like you mike that never had fun or did any daring things thats your fault and you'll have to live with that knowing you never had any excitement in your life. YOUR LOSS! now move on with life, its a completely normal thing for teens to have fun!

Posted by: P.O.chic Location: Monona on Aug 16, 2007 at 07:00 PM
In response to Mike I know both of these boys I went to high school with both of these boys! They are both 19 years old and their soul goal in the little youth they have left to live is to try everything and have a little fun. The real world for them is coming up fast and they just want to enjoy it and as far as their parents go they are some of the nicest people you will ever meet they raised fine children one of their sisters is hoping to go to a division 1 school and swim on a scholarship so how dare you insult someone you don't know! P.s. I wouldn't trust my kids with someone who has as bad of grammar and spelling as you do. Don't you all remember what it's like to be young and want to feel a rush! So Mike go back to your no fun having cubical world and let these kids who are adults make their own choices and lets have you not be so judgmental..it gives old people like you wrinkles!

Posted by: anonymous Location: monona on Aug 16, 2007 at 06:30 PM
This story was blown way out of proportions. If you actually go look at the terrace you will see that you don't have to jump out at all, there is enough clearance to just drop off edge. Also the dane county sheriffs on the lake and the madison police officers on site were not aware of the no trespassing signs. I took a look after they had jumped and the signs are not in the most visible position. There are so many things kids cannot do today that I ,like tod, shudder at the next generation.

Posted by: Karen Location: Madison on Aug 16, 2007 at 04:55 PM
You know, maybe we should start charging people to jump off the terrace into the lake and raise some money for the city. They could sign a release saying if they get hurt, they won't sue. If someone is stupid and brave enough to do this and they don't land on or hurt someone else, who the heck cares? If they get hurt, they'll have to live with the consequences, just like others who do things like cliff diving, bungie jumping and extreme sports. These guys were 19, legally adults, they aren't kids.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Monona on Aug 16, 2007 at 04:05 PM
In regards to Mike's comment, both of the kids are graduated from highschool and their families are perfectly normal. Most teenagers do things that would shame their parents if they knew, but most parents dont know what their kids did. I know both families and "kids" and they are normal, nice, responsible adults. Their parents should have nothing to do with this decision the boys made. I give them props for going through with it. I'd be scared to death!

Posted by: Formerbridgejumper Location: Madison on Aug 16, 2007 at 03:29 PM
I'll catch some flak for saying this, but it's nice to see kids with a sense of danger and adventure, they will be the leaders of the future. This director used to jump from bridges and cliffs. I think this story is blown out of proportions, making it known to more daredevils out there. Kids will be kids, and there will always be those seeking the extra danger. In this case 60 feet into 30 feet of water, sounds like fun to me WooooHaaah!

Posted by: Teen Location: Monona on Aug 16, 2007 at 01:21 PM
In answer to Mike's comment, I can't believe how judgmental someone can be without knowing the families of these people at all. I don't know if Mike has kids, but if he does and they're old enough to make bad decisions now and then, I'm sure they have. Don't make rash statements like that until you've met the families and can conclude they are irresponsible. By they way, I know both families, and they're really great people AND parents. Keep your comments in check if you don't know what you're talking about.

Posted by: jackie Location: brooklyn on Aug 16, 2007 at 01:19 PM
I think that they were just kids out having fun. and look back on my brother and his buddies they survived swinging from a rope in a barn with a big hole in the floor and pitchforks around them. people would think that would be dangerous today. you don't see much kids around unless they have an ipod or a electronic game in their hand. what else is their for these young teens to do? nothing! at least they weren't out robbing someone or vanelizing anything. Perhaps jumping off the terrace roof was not a good idea, no one got hurt the boys survived and I'm sure they learned a valuable lesson.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Monona on Aug 16, 2007 at 12:16 PM
I know these 2 boys and I'm sure it was just bad judgment on their part. Nice kids. I'm sure it will never happen again.

Posted by: S Location: CP on Aug 16, 2007 at 09:57 AM
I don't think its fair to say the whole next generation is bad, because they aren't. We always hear the bad stuff on the news, rarely the good. I also don't think it is going to take a death of someone to stop this completely. Maybe a death in a certain group would stop that group from continuing, but certainly not everyone. I think those boys were stupid to say they least.

Posted by: Teen Location: Monona on Aug 16, 2007 at 12:54 AM
I'm sure this isn't the first time in world history that someone has "shuddered" because of what a teen did. It's a bit silly and judgmental to label a couple kids who made one bad decision as stupid. (I know it wasn't said out right, but I assume the "brain surgery in action" comment was sarcastic.) It's really not fair to label an entire generation by one act by two people out of it. And I've seen a lot stupider done by much more "mature" adults. These guys aren't bad, they're teens. They've gotten their tickets and I'm sure they'll move on. The most interesting part is putting it on the news- makes you wonder how many more kids/adults would risk a 424 ticket to get their 15 minutes of fame.

Posted by: Mike Location: Madison on Aug 15, 2007 at 10:23 PM
I agree Todd! And, it is Local kids, not some college kids who perhaps don't understand how we do things around here! I hope the parents of these kids are proud of the job they did raising their law breaking suicidal children. I think the parents should have their names published too... just in case any of them hold positions of trust in the community, like teachers, or police officers, or day care providers! I certainly wouldn't trust my child to anyone of those professions if their own child was raised like that!

Posted by: Todd Location: Poynette on Aug 15, 2007 at 05:36 PM
This is brain surgery in action. Makes me shudder about the next generation. Unfortunately its going to take someone to die in order for these young people to realize the consequences of their actions. I hope it doesn't have to come to that.