Over the past few weeks, the Garden City Police Department has observed an increase in youth-related activities, including but not limited to alcohol possession, drug possession, loud parties, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, harassment and larceny. In addition, there have been acts of violence toward police officers in which youths have thrown full containers of alcohol at officers responding to youth-related calls. Police say in one instance, youths who were running from an alcohol-related incident intentionally damaged a police vehicle.

The following is a sample of recent incidents received by the Garden City Police Department: more than 30 houses and cars throughout the village were sprayed with mustard, Garden City High School was burglarized and vandalized, a local golf course suffered more than $8,000 in damages, numerous youths were cited for alcohol possession and criminal trespass on railroad tracks, school bus windows were shot out with BB pellets, numerous residences and vehicles were vandalized, the tennis courts at Tullamore Park were damaged, numerous lawn items were stolen from several residences and aid was rendered to children who were apparently intoxicated and unable to care for themselves. Most of these incidences occurred during late night and early morning hours.

Police Commissioner Ernest Cipullo noted, "It is police policy to contact the youths' parents in these cases but disturbingly there have been too many times where a parent could not be located." The department has also experienced many instances, especially ones involving alcohol, where a youth is in violation one week, taken home to his parents and then repeats the violation again the following week. Commissioner Cipullo urges all parents to be aware of where their children are and what activities they are participating in.

"Many of these nighttime activities pose a serious risk to the children who commit them and cooperation from the parents is necessary so that their children do not get involved in something that may result in serious consequences," Commissioner Cipullo added.

The Garden City Police Department is actively investigating all of the aforementioned incidents. Police say that if those responsible are apprehended, they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.