The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-10-29
Vandalism ToBe Checked Closely,
 Promises Mclean
Parents Interest in Chil- dren Can Curb Misde.
 meanOrs Ayers Supt.

In Strongly-worded statement, Police Supt. Joseph H. Mclean placed square on the shoulders of parents the responsibility for prop erty damage and acts of vandalism done by their children during Hal lowe'en week, and urged fathers and mothers to keep their youngsters of the streets at night this week, but, if they do let them out, to see that the youths do not congregate in gangs. The superintendent was ob- viously indignant this morning as he related a list of depradations which took place last night, among them the hurling of tomatoes at 8 Waterville house which had just been painted, the removal of gates from in front of homes, the cutting of clothes-lines and the breaking of windows.
 Extra Policemen
 For Halloween night, Thursday, the police department will have many extra men on duty. No offenses against the law will go un- punished, with the bluecoats being ordered from headquarters to en- force the laws rigidly. Such acts as the ringing of false alarms, the set- ting of bonfires, and attempts to damage private or public property will bring prompt action on the part of police.
 Speaking of the Waterville in- cident, Supt. Mclean declared: "If that is youngsters idea of fun, then they must have perverted sense of right and wrong." The incident toow place on Faber avenue, where> a house was being painted. The last coat was still wet last night, when the house was pelted with tomatoes, thereby making necessary tn e cleaning off of the stains and the repaintiES of the house.
 Also reported last night were the smashing of windows in private homes, the cutting of clothes-lines, some of them holding families Monday wash. and considerable damage to gates and fences.
 Parents Responsible
 'Tn many of these cases" Supt. Mclean said, T hold the parents directly responsible. If this present vandalism keeps up, then by Thurs day night, a property owner can't feel safe at all. We've had good rec ords at Halloween during the past few years, and hate to see this years record spoiled by the behavior of boys, and girls too, who might be kept out of mischief if their parents took real interest in them"
 He continued: 'These are excep- tional times. Every property owner is trying his best to meet obliga- tions in an effort to hold onto his property. This in itself is sufficient to most people to try and help him.
 "The youth of today seem bent on the destruction of property, in many cases. Gate night, window night and such other nights in preparation for Halloween, seems to give many boys the impression they have the right to go out nights and destroy property, mark up mans home and automobile with chalk, and smash windows.
 Police Alert
 "The police expect to be more alert than ever this year. We want to protect the people; we want to protect youth. Under no circum- stances shall we permit of such law breaking.
 Members of the force will be in structed to bring in all such viola tors. ...
 q appeal most earnestly to the good sense of the people of our city to watch their children these nights.
 Don't let them go out in gangs.
 "Too much real damage is done before Halloween and too much property harm is done on that night"
 Property owners are entitled to protection and this department hopes to be able to help them pre- serve their rightful belongings with out fighting with boy gangs. It isn't smart and doesn't improve a boys respect for law and order"