Increased Vandalism Concerns County Court
At a special budget meeting Sept. 29, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court (Michael Hoch absent) discussed what was characterized as increased vandalism and destruction in the county. Deputy Sheriff Keith Burnett, saying he was looking for direction from the court, said serious incidents of vandalism have increased lately, and on-site community service as punishment has not worked as a deterrent. He said more than the usual “slap on the wrist” will be necessary to deal with the problem.
Burnett said the most recent incident involved vehicles being driven over a wet baseball field in St. Lawrence, causing “…knee-deep ruts” and several damaged sprinkler heads. The field is owned by the county. Burnett said the damage easily exceeded $1,500, the threshold for a felony charge. Burnett said he holds three young men responsible for the damage. He said two of the three are GCHS graduates, who are now college students, and another is a college student from Midland. (Editor’s Note: Even though the perpetrators are not minors, no names were available for publication because no complaints or charges have been filed.)
The commissioners’ court apparently chose to handle the problem internally with no legal action. However, County Judge Wilburn Bednar said he was insistent that those guilty of damages face at least community service and restitution plus a hearing before him.
St. Lawrence Ball Field Termed ‘Party Park’
Burnett, with agreement from the commissioners’ court, blamed parents for a large part of the vandalism problem, saying too many parents excuse such behavior as “kids just being kids.”
Burnett said the St. Lawrence ballpark has become a weekend “party park,” and Commissioner Jimmy Strube agreed. They said kids and young adults often go there on weekends, not to play ball, but to drink and carouse. Strube, who lives nearby, said the “parties” often last until 4 or 5 a.m., and he cited excessive speed along county roads in the vicinity as part of the problem. Burnett said people from Big Lake and Big Spring now join local revelers, and both alcohol and drugs are available.
Problem Due to ‘Handful’ of People; Not Widespread
Burnett said the problem is with a particular “handful” of young people, and is not widespread among Glasscock County’s youth. Strube said,” Everyone involved (law enforcement, county court) wants to make responsible adults of these kids.” All agreed that restrictions regarding the ball field, if necessary, would unfairly impact kids who want to use it for legitimate, wholesome purposes, as most kids have done in the past.
Several options were discussed to remedy the problem of increasing vandalism, including filing charges against repeat offenders, but none were put into place.
Burnett said charges were filed against seven Forsan youth who recently damaged the Garden City football field. Burnett said the charges against these offenders were Class A Misdemeanors, with deferred adjudication. The five who were over 17 years will pay a probationary fee of $500 each; the two who were under 17 will pay $214 each in restitution and in addition, all seven will pay $30 per month for six months. Those under 17 must be at home seven days per week before 9 p.m. for six months, and all must do 50 hours each of community service.
In other action, the court designated October as Czech Heritage Month in Glasscock County and with little discussion, approved several budget amendments before finalizing the current year’s budget.