Midnight vandalims and juvenile delinquency: Is there a saving grace?

Vandalism is a crime even when it is just the trashing of a yard with toilet paper. The author suggests that juveniles who engage in such midnight acts of vandalism should be brought to justice, made to clean up the mess they make, and do community service that they will learn to respect private and public property. Without being brought to justice he suggest that vandalism and lack of parental supervision may lead to more serious crimes. Yet when this good neighbor published a letter to this effect in a local newspaper, the victim responded bashing him instead of the vandals. Is vandalism by teenagers a crime to which parents should turn a blind eye? Or is vandalism a sign of rebellious youth snubbing their nose at authority figures perhaps leading to other forms of juvenile delinquency and worse crime? Is there any saving grace for a good neighbor who speaks out against the crime of vandalism as a possible precursor to worst crimes if nothing is done about it? Or should society just let its youth run wild? Photo © 2011 by Terry Lynch.

Recently I expressed my concerns for a neighbors yard which had been trashed with toilet paper in the middle of the night. I stipulated that such vandalism was a crime, that those responsible should be punished, and that if they or their parents did not turn themselves in, a judge might be right to increase their punishment. I even suggested that the crime of vandalism might lead to worse crimes in the future if nothing was done. This is because vandalism may be an indication of bad parenting and that when there is bad parenting you increase the probability of such other forms of juvenile delinquency as alcohol and drug abuse, theft of property, gang involvement, etc., etc., etc., which may spiral into a cycle of uncivil behavior that may, indeed, include some very awful misdeeds. Yet instead of being complemented for speaking out on this issue, I was bashed by my good neighbor who was the target to the vandals. Go figure?

Indeed, vandalism by juveniles may have serious consequences depending upon the state and nature of the crime. It is big business for lawyers who defend young people who commit such crimes as graffiti, keying cars, toppling or spray painting headstones, destroying mailboxes, trashing yards and homes with toilet paper, or virtually any other activity that causes damages to private or public property.

The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines vandalism as, "the willful or malicious destruction, injury, disfigurement, or defacement of any public or private property, real or personal, without the consent of the owner or custodian of that property." It is further states that vandalism includes a wide variety of acts such as: posting graffiti in public places; breaking or throwing items out of windows; smashing mailboxes; stealing from homes, automobiles or yards; trashing unguarded property, including empty buildings and/or lots and public or semi-public toilet facilities; destroying school or other property; setting fires; tampering with equipment, such as vending machines and pay telephones; setting false fire alarms or calling in false bomb threats; damaging parked cars; or, damaging windows, fences, porches, trees, shrubbery or other private or public property.

According to criminaldefenselawyers.com such "activities may seem like brave rites of passage to teenagers, but they are serious crimes that carry heavy penalties depending on the specific target of vandalism. The formal definition states that vandalism is under the juvenile justice system, a youth offender can be charged with either a misdemeanor (generally for damages of $400 or less) or a felony (generally for damages of more than $400), if the offense is severe enough."

Understanding teen vandalism and some of the behaviors and situations that are linked to teen vandalism includes: binge drinking, experimenting with drugs; seeking money to buy drugs; peer pressure; feeling hostile towards property owners; unstable families, negligent or irresponsible parents or guardians; abuse in the home; bullying at school; and failure to gain a proper respect for personal and private property either from parents or the community which may be lax on discipline.

In Mississippi the crime of vandalism is taken very seriously. A judge may levy a fine of from $500 to $10,000 with up to 6 years jail time with probation that averages 5-12 months and suspension of license in those cases involving a motor vehicle. The law with respect to vandalism is different in each state, but generally it is considered a serious crime that mandates punishment to rectify the behavior and restore respect for the law and personal or private property.

Many states have adopted laws which make parents liable for their children's vandalism. According to aboutjuveniledelinquents.com,

"Vandalism isn't the only act for which parents can be liable. For example, if a teen takes a parent's gun, even without the parent's permission, and brings it to school or commits a crime, the parent may be subject to criminal charges. Similarly, if a minor is at fault in injuring someone or damaging property while driving, the parents can be liable. Parents can also be held liable for permitting a minor to drive without a license or learner's permit."

Do acts of vandalism by children or teens lead to more serious criminal behavior? Perhaps, especially as this relates to dysfunctional families, abuse of children and usage of chemical substance including alcohol, prescription drugs, street drugs or other illegal drugs. Also vandalism may be associated with gangs and be encouraged by peer pressure. In serious cases a young person may become addicted to alcohol or drugs and begin a downward spiral that will have life-long ill effects upon their growth, maturation and development and which may have terrible consequences such as trouble with the law or becoming involved in acts of violence.

Perhaps the question one needs to asks is how we as good parents may rear our children to be good citizens? Certainly this involves providing a good education and moral upbringing. Children who are involvement in extracurricular school activities or church and community programs for young people are less likely to find themselves in situations where they are tempted to experiment with drugs or commit acts of vandalism. Hence responsible parenting is a primary factor in rearing children that they do not go down the wrong road and become lost souls or even criminals.

What can you do as a parent if you discover your child is involved with drugs or vandalism? Certainly you do not want to ignore the problem or just look the other way. Doing nothing is likely to encourage future transgressions. If good behavior in not restored through appropriate measures, including discipline and making young people have to pay for their crimes, the consequences may be disastrous. Doing nothing may result in young people becoming dependent upon alcohol, drugs or becoming victims themselves through involvement with others in gangs or the illegal drug culture. Plus young people may enter into a vicious cycle of petty crimes, letting others abuse or take advantage of them, or losing their lives and even their very souls to that darkness and despair which comes with a wretched life style.

Perhaps for some children or adults who have lost their way the answer may be found, as it was for John Newton, in God's grace.

That has always been one of my favorite songs and I believe it still carries much meaning when discussing such issues as that of juvenile delinquency, vandalism by young people, or becoming involved with alcohol or drug abuse. But perhaps there are those who think God should be left out of the discussion and I'm a wretch for even thinking that such misbehaviors as rolling a lawn with toilet paper in the middle of the night may lead to more serious criminal behavior in the future. Yet I ask you this, who is really the wretch, one like me who sees a neighbor's laws trashed and speaks out, or those who let their kids run wild in the night, who neglect supervision of their children, and lets them run the risk of hurt, harm, or even accidental death?

Everything is connected and when young people have nothing better to do than trash lawns, steal from peoples homes or yard, or do other mischief during the middle of the night, chances are that God is missing in their life. And I'd pretty much bet that regardless of what church their parents might go to, God might be missing in their lives too. Because when God is in one's heart they don't bash their good neighbors pointing out that juvenile delinquency is a crime or that if not corrected it could lead to much worse crimes in the future.