To the Editor,
Re: Vandalism spree hits Cedar area, Jan. 5.
What’s wrong with this picture?
The year 2012 was only one day old when a bunch of youths – who did not get what they wanted from Santa Claus, or was it just the usual case of drunken boredom? – took out their collective idiotic frustration on Woodbank Primary School, causing $3,000 worth of damage.
When I was a youth, I did not hang out in the local mall and I sure did not go on a vandalism rampage because I knew better, but also because of my father.
The taxpayers will yet again have to foot the bill for these miscreants because the parents are not likely to pay for it.
And the same unfortunately goes for the youths who, if or when arrested, because of the so-called Youth Criminal Justice Act, will probably get the usual slap on the wrist.
In all, the word for 2012 should be accountability.
Finally there are ways to deal with problem, such as sensor lighting, neighbourhood watch and citizens on patrol. There is also the scared straight program.
Al Munro
Nanaimo