Rockland juveniles continue to cause disturbances in city
ROCKLAND (WGME) – A group of juveniles are back to causing disturbances in Rockland.
"Some of it is a cry for help," Rockland Police Deputy Chief Alex Gaylor said. "Some of it is just boredom."
Rockland police say a group of four teenage boys continues to cause trouble, no matter how many times they're caught.
"Some of it is going in stores and causing a scene," Rockland Police Chief Tim Carroll said.
Carroll says they were caught on surveillance video breaking into a downtown business.
One even wore a mask into a bar.
"Juvenile was masked and kind of alluded to having a weapon," Gaylor said.
"That can elicit a response that is very dangerous to not only citizens, but also that juvenile," Carroll said.
Downtown business owners say these same teens vandalize their buildings.
"They usually come back in the back of the shop and spray paint it," Stephen Smith of Dark Harbor Barber said. "We have a camera back there that's caught them a couple of times. Man, I feel like they're just troubled youth. I feel like they're just trying to find attention. You know, they're not getting it at home, and it's really unfortunate."
Rockland police work with several teens in their youth mentorship program and say they've gotten through to a number of them.
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"We've had a lot of success," Gaylor said.
Police say some teens know there won't be consequences.
They no longer send them to Long Creek Youth Development Center for misdemeanor crimes, because they say they'll be released within the hour.
Carroll wants a therapeutic facility on the Midcoast to get these kids the counseling they need.
"I'm not saying that we need to lock the kids up,” Carroll said. “But we need some sort of formal interaction with these kids."
Rockland police are also trying to work with the juvenile justice system, the courts, community members and local organizations to try to get these kids and their parents the help they need.