Autryville leaders have had just about enough of the vandalism occurring on the streets of the western Sampson town. And, they came prepared to put their heads together and figure out what the best way is to fix their problem.

On Tuesday night, mayor Patricia Williams explained to the town board that she and clerk Diane Autry had asked Sheriff Jimmy Thornton to come and hear about the town’s struggles. Thornton was not available to come, but he did send major Allen Autry to represent the department.

To prove just how bad the streets of the town have become, Williams first explained that even town hall had been broken into.

“Well, we have a broken window,” said Williams who elaborated that someone had also tried to reach into the safe deposit box to grab some money. And while the town does have a security system installed, the vandals were still able to figure out how to open the box without setting the alarm off.

Fortunately, Williams noted, no one walked away with any money, since the clerk had taken all of the cash home for the evening.

In addition, the mayor also expressed how some of the young people are just not following the town’s ordinance bannin skateboarding, and she feels that some of the vandalism and break-ins in the town could be traced back to those individuals.

But, she digressed, “I don’t know whose (vandalizing property), but what it is is some of (the skaters) are getting bold.”

And to prove just how fearless these young people have become, she added, “I have seen them on the street skating, and as soon as they see me, they stop and say ‘we weren’t skating.’”

Commissioner Kenneth Johnson said that he has even observed some of the skaters on N.C. 24, where he believed it to be considerably more dangerous for them.

Autry, listening to the conversation, asked Williams, “Do you know if the parents have been contacted?”

Williams explained that, in some cases, the parents have been notified, but some of these individuals are coming from neighboring towns such as Fayetteville and Roseboro. She then explained that the town currently has a 10 p.m. curfew in place, and some of the young people are even out at 3 a.m.

As further proof of how the skateboarding alone has become an issue for the town, she noted how some have gone up to the roof of her building to skate.

“They tore my roof up,” the mayor said, noting that group actually skated on top of a local church van.

In assessing just how bad it has become, Autry emphasized, “So the parents here are just not taking responsibility for their children.?

He then suggested that the town hire an off-duty deputy and pay him to patrol the town.

Commissioner Mickey Spell then asked if the town were to hire one to help, who would responsible for the liability.

Autry explained that it would continue to be the county’s and not the town’s. He then noted that it would be similar to a school board hiring an officer to overlook a football game on Friday night.

“We should be able to work something out,” Autry told the board.

“I know that would help out a lot,” the mayor said. “If you could do something, we would really appreciate it.”

Spell then acknowledged that he has noticed the difference that the Sheriff’s Department has made in the town of Roseboro, particularly in cutting down on the town’s crime.

Williams shook her head in agreement and said, “I’m proud of what the Sheriff’s office does for our county.”

Autry then stated that he would confer with the Sheriff and get back with the town in regards to the cost for hiring an off-duty deputy.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.