Hastings debates pitching out teen vandals

Article by: JIM ADAMS , Star Tribune
Updated: June 21, 2011 - 11:48 PM

A shrill noise to deter graffiti in parks? Not so fast, a rights group says.

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nicolaswillJun. 21, 11 9:43 PM

Try it out. If it doesn't work, return it. Bada bing bada boom.

mnishiJun. 21, 11 9:57 PM

Every teenager is going to want to go hear the "scary sound" now. This will backfire. I recognize the problem, but a better solution is needed.

MellersJun. 21, 1110:01 PM

Okay, my cat could hear all of them, but I couldn't hear the first one and heard the 2nd one a little (I heard the 1st one start). I'm 33. Boy, the top one was annoying. If teens are a problem, maybe it'll work but it seems passive-aggressive. Do what downtown St Paul does in Mears Park and play loud classical music. Geeky teens who love that will likely not cause many problems! (-:

flogicJun. 21, 1110:14 PM

Maybe those who live around the park could perhaps pay attention and notify the police when kids are there past curfew? I don't know, a little community ownership? Seems most neighborhoods now days suffer from a lack of attentiveness of the residents. Stop being afraid to be the jerk adult that we have to be once in a while.

moraspeakingJun. 21, 1110:23 PM

mnishi is correct. Teens will flock to hear the "scary sound". The more ambitious ones will find a way to defeat the system by the second or third day it is in place, just to say they did. Trust me.

bjlittle43Jun. 21, 1111:28 PM

The teen will just put on their Ipod headphones, turn up the music and drown out the noise.

triodeJun. 22, 11 1:28 AM

Infrared video cameras?

xsnowdogJun. 22, 11 4:57 AM

Yes, the neighborhood can help with watching the park. And the police need to be responsive to their calls. Even though the squads can't drive right up to the area, maybe the officers can get out and walk a little. Seems like it would be pretty easy to catch a few of the people hanging around after the park closes and they probably wouldn't come back.

toolman28Jun. 22, 11 4:57 AM

How about passing a law that says if you cuase damage to property you will be locked up untill you pay 100% of the cost of the damage - if you cannot then you get to work from jail untill you do

comment229Jun. 22, 11 5:29 AM

This one is so simple I am surprised nobody has thought of it. Deer hunters place cameras in obscure locations and several of these could be purchased and hidden near the points where the vandalism is done. I will guarantee you that after prosecuting a bunch of them with photographic evidence in hand, it will end in a hurry. And by the way, make sure the kids clean up the mess and are heavily fined, and the parents too. This technology was/is used by the police (dash cams) and most school bus problems end when the black boxes were installed.