Curfew for teens would reduce crime

We need a curfew for everyone under age 18. Bored teens roam my supposedly nice neighborhood while their parents pay no attention to them.

Friday night some hoodlums took the large terra cotta pot beside my mailbox and broke it to pieces. It had to have been a tall person because the pot was heavy and all the dirt is in one place; the plant is in good condition. It rained early in the night but the soil in the pot was dry, so I am sure it was after the rain that they did the vandalism.

In addition, we cannot put out driveway markers. They disappear within a few days. After having three sets of marker of different styles stolen, I stopped buying them.

The youth are to blame for the vandalism, but the parents should be held responsible for the actions of the children. I often hear and see several groups of teens walking up and down our otherwise quiet street up into the wee hours of the morning.

What good does it do to call the police after the damage is done? They only make a report, which a waste of time and paper, then forget the matter. If they would pick up the youth who are causing the problems, then the police would have some power to help citizens stop this type of vandalism.

I own my house, so moving is not a reasonable solution to the problem. Stopping vandalism is the solution, as it would stop reinforcing criminal actions in these youths.

LOYLESS HARRIS

Albany