Rambunctious youth a concern for Hooversville

By PATRICK BUCHNOWSKI
The Tribune-Democrat

HOOVERSVILLE November 01, 2007 08:21 pm

— Kids knocking on doors late at night and throwing debris at houses.
Hooversville residents say it’s more than harmless fun, and they’re looking to bring an end to such encounters, which have thrown a scare into some older residents.
This borough of 725 residents is banding together to form a Community Watch.
“The kids are bored and, when you’re 15 and 16, they get into trouble,” said Mayor Diana Lawrence. She is spearheading the Community Watch campaign.
“We want them to know we’re not against them, but we’re not going to put up with them being destructive,” she said.
The trouble started nearly two years ago with late-night door bell ringers. Since then, the antics have turned more troubling.
“They were throwing eggs and coins at people’s houses and cracking the windows,” she said. “Some people are scared to death of these kids.”
Former Councilman DeWayne Berkebile said he has had no trouble with Hooversville youth but acknowledges that there is a problem.
“It just seemed to be quite for a while and then it started up again,” he said. “You get some kids that get to a certain age and they feel like raising hell, I guess.”
The borough is patrolled by full-time police Chief Adam Richards. He is meeting with residents to lay the groundwork for starting a Community Watch, but volunteers are needed, the mayor said.
The kids have the potential to be good citizens, Lawrence said.
“They just need a little bit of guidance and know people care them,” she said.