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Where Things Stand - Youth curfew bylaw needs toughening
Mac Olsen
South Peace News
After being subject to vandalism, I definitely appreciate the need for High Prairie’s youth curfew bylaw.
It was about 2:30 a.m. April 26, when I got a call from the RCMP that my car had been vandalized. I went out to meet them and I saw the right rear window in my car had been smashed and glass was all over the back seat and floor. Then, I discovered the perpetrators had ripped off a piece of plastic on the steering column and tried to hotwire the ignition.
Fortunately, they weren’t able to steal my car because it is equipped with an anti-theft device. However, they caused approximately $800 damage to my vehicle. It had to be towed to the dealership because of the ignition damage.
A witness heard the window being smashed and went out and saw two youth running from the scene. He tried to pursue one of them, but lost track. I am grateful to the person who tried to stop them.
But I am also outraged that youth would do something like this.
Granted, I’m not the first person to be a victim of crime like this and I certainly won’t be the last.
But whoever did this must be held accountable for their actions.
I am pleased the Town of High Prairie has Bylaw 11/99, which requires youth under the age of 15 to be off the streets between midnight and 6 a.m.
But I think the bylaw should be changed to order all youth under 18 off the streets from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Short of a medical or family emergency, no youth has any business being outside their residence at that time of the night.
The bylaw also comes up short on the fine for violations. It says a parent or guardian who permits their child to contravene the bylaw will be subject to only a $50 fine for the first offence and a $100 fine for the second and subsequent offences.
In my estimation, the fine should be tripled, with $150 for the first offence and $300 for the second and subsequent offences. The higher the penalty, the more incentive they have to comply with the bylaw, as far as I’m concerned, and if that doesn’t work, then jail time is in order for the youth.
I am also putting the perpetrators on notice. If you are caught and convicted, I will be seeking restitution to make you pay every cent of the damage you caused, including the towing bill. Your maliciousness is unconscionable and inexcusable – and you have to be taught a lesson.
Do not mistake my contempt for the perpetrators as stereotyping all youth. I am not doing that. Not all youth commit vandalism and I see programs in High Prairie which do good work with youth, such as the High Prairie Friendship Centre’s police cadet program. Local program providers are to be commended for their positive involvement with youth and more programs should be available to them.
Nonetheless, when youth – or adults for that matter - commit crimes like vandalism, a firm hand is necessary to ensure they are set on the straight and narrow once more. They have to be made to realize the error of their ways and make amends for the damage they cause.
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