Police Arrest Lighthouse Vandals
By Sue Clark on Feb 9, 2008 in News 
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Other Businesses Hit in Crime Spree
Five Port Macquarie youths have been arrested in connection with the vandalism and grafitti spray painting of Tacking Point Lighthouse. The boys, aged 16 and 17, will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act. Besides the lighthouse, five cars were vandalized, along with a caravan, a bottle shop and the Emerald Downs Estate office. According to a story in the Port Macquarie News, the youths admitted to the vandalism on January 28 and 29.
A Slap On the Wrist
The purpose of the Young Offenders Act is to deal with juvenile offenders in the least restrictive way possible, usually through a series of Warnings and Cautions, after a youth has admitted (not pled guilty) to a crime. Certain crimes are excluded as falling under this act, but vandalism isn’t one of them. The aim is to rehabilitate rather than punish, and while the goal is laudatory, one has to wonder if that’s enough in cases like this.
This appeared to be a crime spree, and what would be prosecuted as criminal mischief or malicious mischief here in the states (specific crime may vary). But unless these kids are made to face the consequences of their actions, who knows what they might do the next time?
While I am in no way advocating throwing the book at them, putting them away for life or anything like that, it seems to me that there should be more than a warning or caution given. But that’s exactly what the Act seems to require. The other option in the act would be for the Youth Justice Conferencing option. Perhaps that will be used in this case. That would require the offenders to meet with several parties, including victims, and a plan implemented to the satisfaction of all.
Let’s hope the New South Wales justice system at the very least requires these boys to repair the damage they’ve done, either monetarily or through the physical act of cleaning up their damages, and not just give them a slap on the wrist.
Image Credit: Handcuffs by Lance Kidwell. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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