Spring Break: Youth Spend Time Well — or Not

The kids are out of school for spring break, and Bend police said Thursday they’re feeling the heat, as criminal mischief crimes are on the rise. But one group of students in Bend were working hard to to make a positive change on their vacation.

“I can’t speak for everybody, but I think there’s definitely a feeling you get when you’re giving back to people,” said University of Oregon student Colin Bowman.

Bowman is a part of the “College Pro Painters,” a group of students volunteering their time for what they call an alternative spring break.

As they give back, criminal mischief calls are also on the rise late at night, for things like house egging and trespassing. Bend police said it usually reflects students being out of the classroom.

“We see a lot more increase in juvenile-type incidents like egging or toilet papering houses,” Lt. Paul Kansky said. “Different things like that may be considered practical jokes that are taken too far and can actually be a crime in nature.”

Some of those crimes committed include egging cars at the Cedar West Apartments in northeast Bend. In another neighborhood, off Reed Market Road, someone found a bag of cat feces on fire on their doorstep. There have also been several reports of kids playing on golf courses at night.

“We would just ask that between them, and their parents, they can find something more productive to do,” Kansky said.

And the men who were painting were staying productive and having a fun, safe spring break.

“I’ve kind of seen on both ends what you can do in terms of being really productive,” Bowman said. “This is a lot more fulfilling and feels like I’m working toward a goal.”

Police also want to remind teens: If they’re caught causing trouble,a parent will be called to pick them up, or the teen will be taken into the station and cited.