BUCKFIELD – Village residents and business owners revisited the issue of teen vandalism and nuisance at last week’s selectmen’s meeting.

The issue was first discussed at a board meeting more than a year ago. It resulted in hiring a part-time law enforcement officer after voters OK’d the measure at town meeting.

Additional street lights at the park and in the ride parking area along with no loitering signs at the veterans park and parking area were installed at the time as a deterrent to the large crowds of rowdy teenagers.

According to village residents and business owners, groups of around 15 young teenagers have been congregating nightly between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m., vandalizing personal property and causing excessive noise. Residents have witnessed groups of teenagers shooting out street lights, pushing residents’ property into the river, igniting bottle rockets, jumping onto passing cars and vandalizing the bridge.

Sheila Lipham, the owner of Village Cutters, reported that her building was broken into on the night of the town meeting. Nothing was stolen. Other residents reported finding key scratches on their cars the following morning.

Hart’s Pizza, located a few doors down from Village Cutters was also broken into last month. Cigarettes and beer were taken.

According to Sylvester, the bank’s picnic table, located behind the building for employee use, was found beside the river. Additionally, the building’s alarm system has been triggered night after night from individuals pounding on the windows, Sylvester said.

Residents reported being woken from sleep by loud screams and swearing in the early hours of morning. Many residents attested to calling the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department and Maine State Police numerous times for the night time disturbances, but feel they are not being responded to.

The youth seem to disperse after a call has been made to police, leading residents to believe they have police scanners in their cars. If the group is surprised, they hide near the river, residents said.

“I think (the police) just need to get out of their cars and shine a flashlight along the river,” said Mike Miclon, owner of Oddfellow Theater and village resident.

According to Miclon, who spoke with his brother Capt. James Miclon of Oxford County Sheriff’s Department, a no trespassing sign stating times would be enforceable by law enforcement officers. A no loitering sign is a town ordinance and not enforceable by state law, Miclon said.

Selectmen were under the impression from conversations with the Sheriff’s Department and state police a year ago, that a no loitering sign was able to be enforced by officers.

Selectmen instructed Town Manager Cindy Dunn to contact Maine Municipal Association on the legality of installing a no trespassing sign at the Park and Ride parking lot. Selectmen also listed the veterans’ park, library, recreation field and Maine Waste Oil site as areas where signs should be posted.

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