It is suspected that teenagers were involved in causing the vandalism that occurred around the Levittown community this past weekend.

Two areas where damage was found after the weekend was Division Avenue High School, where there was a case of arson and the Israel Community Center, where playground equipment was actually ripped from its foundation.

Siobhan Ogilvie, daycare director of the Israel Community Center's Tendercare Academy, noted that they have suffered from much damage because of their location, right on Hempstead Turnpike, suggesting that may also be why Division Avenue High School is a target area. "It's terrible, because of our location, we're a magnet to vandalism" said Ogilvie. She said that as the weather gets warmer, more and more instances of vandalism occur on the weekends. In recent weeks, the Israel Community Center has had rocks thrown through their windows, found b.b. holes in the windows, found beer bottles and cans in the playground and had damage done to their sign on several occasions. Ogilvie said it's very frustrating for them because every time they try to rebuild their playground it gets destroyed. Ogilvie added that the police have sent around extra patrols and Country Ford has offered to have their security people come over when there might be a problem but thus far the vandalism has not stopped.

"They do not realize what the implications are of their Saturday night of fun," said Ogilvie of the vandals. The playground equipment now has to be completely dismantled and replaced because of the damage done this past weekend. She said that Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes has been very helpful in trying to get them new equipment to replace that which was damaged. She added that they are very nervous about what they will find after the Memorial Day weekend, when the nearby school districts have between four and five days off.

Ogilvie, when asked how the community can help, said that she feels this vandalism occurs because the kids do not have anything to do and the parents don't know where they are. "They need organized community activities and parents really need to know what their kids are doing on Saturday night, maybe keep track of things a little more closely," stated Ogilvie. "I also do believe we need more police patrolling of these areas that are magnets. They need to pay more attention to those areas and take care of the community that they're in."

The major incidence of vandalism this weekend took place at Division Avenue High School. As part of his pre-prom initiative, urging high school students to think before they drink and drive, use drugs or drive with excessive speed, Hudes and the Town of Hempstead, along with Coachman Autoworks of East Meadow who donates the vehicles, have put crashed cars on the lawns of both MacArthur and Division Avenue High Schools. Very early on Sunday morning, a person or persons torched the four-door Chevy station wagon on the front lawn of Division, completely destroying it and burning the Town of Hempstead sign that hung above the car which read, "Don't let your night end like this!"

In an effort to catch the arsonist or arsonists, the Nassau County Crime Stoppers will be offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading up to the arrest of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with any information about this crime is encouraged to call 1-800-TIPS. Anyone offering information can remain anonymous and will not have to testify in court.

In a press conference, held at Division Avenue High School on Wednesday morning, Hudes, standing with Levittown Fire Department Chief Ron Kerwin, noted that not only did they do damage to the display, which has since been replaced, but the arsonist(s) also put the lives of the Levittown firefighters, who had to come put out the fire, at risk. Hudes concluded, "Every year around this time (graduation, proms, etc.) you hear more and more of many fatal car accidents that could have been avoided. To that end, I will continue my quest to influence the decision-making of all residents, especially students. Arson and vandalism will not be tolerated by any individuals in my district. Worthwhile programs such as this are meant to save young lives."