A neighbor called me Fri. about her mailbox being vandalized for the second time.  She was very upset of course.  One of her neighbors actually fished the mailbox out of one of the retention pond.  I saw a "bird cam" at a store last week and suggested that she get one to focus on her mailbox; perhaps she can catch the evil doers.  However, I would be perfectly ok with the board buying some kind of spying devise to use to catch some of these problems.  Just because it was her mailbox this time, does not mean that it is only her problem.  Vandalism is a problem for the entire neighborhood.

I don't think that we will be treated seiously if we call in when we see a group of kids just hanging out.  If they are doing something illegal, yes, but otherwise I would not call as some have suggested. 

Another suggestion I have is to try to get to know the kids in your area.  If you can, offer them odd jobs.  I have had a lot of success doing this and feel that befriending kids is always a better way than trying to have them locked up.

Marge, have the kids work for you.  Messing with a mail box is a federal crime, and if these kids are not taught this lesson they will soon be stealing your Social Security check from your very mail box.  Yes it seems a little harsh but where are the parents?  If as neighbors, we do not take a stand on this issue, just leave your front door unlocked and goodies in the fridge and they can watch the tube while you are at work this summer.  JBD 

Thank you Marge for passing on the information! It was our mailbox that was vandalized. The cost of the bird camera was over $200 which was crazy expensive so needless to say we will not be spending that money. I was feeling a much better sense of community after Friday. I called Marge, two board members and Cindy from HOA.  Then when I got home my husband and I met two more people from our neighborhood and we talked about keeping a closer eye at night. I so appreciate everyone's concern and willingness to point us in the right direction.

As it turns out it was not only our property that was vandalized. There was a motorcycle on Sycamore Forge that reported vandalism, our next door neighbor's window (inside her fenced area) the screen was sliced and window broken from the splash guard outside her house, a neighbor on the corner had her solar lights pulled out.  It seems to be a time when young people do not have enough to do so they decide to vandalize people's property.  Be on the lookout for a flyer regarding this vandalism. I am asking that we all keep an eye out for groups of kids that are out after dark. I understand that it is summer and kids are allowed to hang out, but the bottom line is there is nothing to do outside walking around other people's homes when it is dark outside.  This vandalism and the calls to the police are not adding value to our homes!  We must work together to make sure that we put an end to all of this. 

I actually would like to suggest that we discuss security in this neighborhood. One of the board members that I spoke with said it would be too expensive to have police patrol our neighborhood randomly. I am feeling a bit helpless here and need to know that we are all concerned about our properties.  I understand that it is difficult to know what your kids are doing at all times, but breaking windows at night time or anytime is against the law and so is messing with mailboxes. Please help us turn this area around. I have been here for 4 years now and have never had this much problems. I actually do think that some of the young people doing this are from other areas, but they are entering our community with young people that live in here. 

Board members, Can the association buy a spying device such as the "bird cam" for $200 or something else to help catch the vandals?  This is not just Amy's problem, it is my problem and your problem.  The cam could be used multiple times and might be more effective than police patrols.

Also, offering odd jobs to neighborhood kids has nothing to do with not notifying police and/or parents if they are doing something illegal.  I'm glad, however, that I did have neighbors and relatives who were willing to help me when Anna was younger.  Most parents prefer to know something is wrong before the police are called on their child.