Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (July 20/01) - A summer vandalism spree cranked up a few notches last week when youths caused over $4,000 worth of damage, mostly to vehicles.

And the town's top cop says the culprits' parents shoulder a big share of the blame.

Overnight on July 13, 14 tires on six vehicles were slashed, RCMP report. Three windshields and a building window were smashed.

"It's a small group of kids who are running wild. And they're running wild because their parents, and you can quote me on this, are refusing to take responsibility for their own children. That's the real nuts and bolts of it," said detachment commander Sgt. Bill Eubank.

"There's no reason for these kids to be out at three o'clock and four in the morning."

Eubank said he believes the youths are between 14 and 18 years old.

He said police have suspects, but are still working to gather enough evidence to lay charges.

Victim Pearl Norwegian said she is worried that if caught, the vandals will receive only a slap on the wrist.

"All they'll get is probation. Who will help me pay for this?"

Norwegian, whose pick-up truck sustained four slashed tires and a broken windshield, does not have insurance that covers vandalism.