Hanging out on Main Street might be popular with Sykesville teen-agers, but the idle hours are too often degenerating into malicious mischief and vandalism.
The town, area schools and community organizations are looking for recreation alternatives that would deter juvenile crime.
"We have charged a number of juveniles this year and have helped many," Police Chief Wallace P. Mitchell said at the Town Council meeting Monday.
Chief Mitchell said police are not "miracle workers" who can stop juvenile crime before it happens. Juvenile arrests, most often for vandalism and mischievous crime, increased more than 200 percent last year.
Often, the same children were repeatedly responsible. Officers frequently stress to parents the need for supervision, he said.
One resident suggested that the council change the curfew, which has been enforced for children under 18 since 1950, to 9 p.m.
On weeknights, children are supposed to be off the streets by 10 p.m. On weekends, the curfew is extended to midnight. Few town businesses are open in the evenings.
"Children are out too late, with nothing to do," said Rose Ann Fischer. "They have no supervision and nobody at home. So, they are up and down Main Street pulling on phone booths and jumping on cars.
"These are not hoodlums. These are kids that nobody cares about."
Mayor Jonathan Herman said he attributes the problem to "certain kids who are always in trouble." The town is looking for more recreational facilities, he said.
L Ms. Fischer said the town has to "implement something soon."
"You can't blame the kids," she said. "If we don't help them, who will?"
Town Manager James L. Schumacher said he has met with Gloria Horneff, principal of Piney Ridge Elementary.
"The school has just organized a new committee and is reaching out to individual families," said Mr. Schumacher. "The principal has a good handle on the problems and we are interested in helping out."
The rise in juvenile offenses concerns educators, Ms. Horneff said.
"We are brainstorming to help families find ways to do things together," she said. "That would mean fewer children on the streets."
After home visits and conferences with parents whose children are frequent offenders, Ms. Horneff concluded: "It is not that these parents don't care about their children. Many just don't know how to keep them occupied."
Parents have limited resources, little knowledge of what the community has to offer and often are at work when their children are home.
"Many families just don't realize what is out there," she said.
Ms. Horneff has helped form Sykesville Community Outreach Program Events (SCOPE). The committee has met with "a good cross-section of the community representatives," she said, including town police, municipal officials and church leaders.
"This is going to take time, but we must start," Ms. Horneff said.
SCOPE members hope to organize a support system for families and show parents "positive ways for children to have fun."
Family Fun Night, the first event in what organizers hope will be a series, is to be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the Freedom Avenue school. The evening takes its theme from apples -- activities include bobbing, cooking and entertainment by Apple John.
"He will have a good message for students and parents," Ms. Horneff said. "He stresses responsibility in a humorous, entertaining way. He also teaches children the consequences of choosing the wrong behavior."
SCOPE also plans a winter hoedown and a spring picnic.
"We need to make a difference at the elementary age," she said. "So, when children are older, they don't turn to crime."
SCOPE will meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the school. "The committee welcomes anyone who wants to help children," said Ms. Horneff.
For information, call 795-8876.
Ms. Fischer said she would like to see more efforts directed toward middle school students. She wants help locating a building that could be used nightly for youth activities.
"If anybody wants to help, they can call me," she said.
Information: 549-5824.