VANDALISM IS CRIME THAT CAN CARRY STIFF PENALTIES

In this season of giving and community spirit, an ugly undercurrent runs amok. Vandals have smashed about 50 windows of cars, homes and businesses in Cape Girardeau since Dec. 1. It's a senseless, stupid act that has caused pain and suffering to many innocent people.

Vandalism is a "joyride" that could lead these people straight to jail. The degree of penalty depends on the amount of damage done: if the damage hits $750 or above, it's a felony.

Replacement of car windows ranges from $120 to $700. You can see it doesn't take long to achieve the felony level.

A Class D felony, this property damage could bring a maximum of two to five years in prison or up to one year in the county jail. But that's not all: a judge could levy a hefty fine of thousands of dollars as well.

Juveniles should not think their age will get them off the hook. They could receive stiff jail time and fines as well.

Two Jackson teenagers sentenced for bus vandalism one year ago provide a fitting example. They slashed 104 tires, broke windows in Cape Girardeau, and burglarized a restaurant in Jackson. They were each sentenced to five years of "hard labor," working to personally repay the $37,859 in damages. They also received supervised probation, some jail time, and a number of other restrictions. Any variation from the sentences will land the guilty teens in the Missouri State Penitentiary, the judge warned at their sentencings.

Vandalism is a crime, and those caught will be treated as criminals regardless of their age. Typically, police report that vandals are under the age of 20. Those 17 and older are considered an adult in the state of Missouri, and will be charged as such.

Most kids just don't understand the seriousness of the crime, or the heartache it causes. The cost of a car window may come in below a deductible, and must be paid directly from the victim's pocket. It can be hard to come up with the money during this holiday season, but repairs can't wait in cold weather.

Most damage was caused by BBs or steel shot. At least one house was damaged by a golf ball.

Vandals are hard to catch since they work on the run in the dead of night. That's why the city's Neighborhood Watch program is so important. Many of these incidents occurred between 7 and 10 p.m., although some were in the early hours of the morning.

Sometimes it's just a lucky break. A week ago three alleged vandals knocking out car windows with a tire tool were spotted by a witness. The police need our eyes and ears to help catch these criminals. Since the vandals are typically indiscriminate, it's to all our benefit to catch these criminals.