EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
Some Evansville neighbors are worried that petty vandalism may get worse.
Some residents told 14 News they've seen a group of kids walking around from time to time. Many neighbors say it's just teenagers having fun, others say it's much more.
Barbara Sieple has moved more than 20 times in her life, and she says she's not moving again.
"Wonderful neighbors, wonderful," said Sieple.
She says she's had very few problems around the neighborhood, but she couldn't help but notice an eyesore hanging from a tree, right across the street.
Two homes have been toilet papered in the last few days. The owner of one of the houses in the neighborhood contacted police today, telling officers that he believes a group of neighborhood kids are to blame. He said the group had also been responsible for vandalizing yards and other property.
Tom Littlepage with the Evansville Southside Watch says the area surrounding this neighborhood does see it's share of problems.
"Last year, Evansville Police Department was telling us that outer Lincoln was starting to become the place most crime stats were starting to come from, even though it's more affluent and there's nicer homes," said Littlepage.
Littlepage says many of those reported crimes were caused by teenagers. He says often times youths vandalize property simply out of boredom, and seeing groups out can worry neighbors.
"I think everybody worries because when we get to summertime, there will be a lot of kids walking through at all hours of the day and night," said Littlepage. "You see a group of people walking through at one o'clock in the morning, it starts to intimidate people and they want to know why."
Some neighbors 14 news spoke with said they had seen the kids walking around and were a little concerned. Others, like Sieple say it's a harmless prank.
"It's just toilet paper. It's not graffiti or paint," said Sieple.
Littlepage says this winter, they have had very few issues with vandalism and break-ins. He says that's typical because of the colder weather.
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