May 14, 2008 - 01:44 PM

By Jeff Hayward

UXBRIDGE -- When Shafiq Mohammad walked to his car early Sunday morning, only steps from the convenience store where he works, he was greeted with a smashed windshield and a ground full of broken glass.

The night shift worker at Mac's on Brock Street had been working alone late Saturday night when a "group of 10 to 12 kids" started banging on the storefront glass. "Everyone was drinking, everyone was drunk," added Mr. Mohammad. "The customers were getting annoyed."

He asked them to leave but said it was difficult to deal with the group because he was also trying to perform his duties in the store.

When Mr. Mohammad went to his car not long after, at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, he found his windshield shattered and bits of glass from beer bottles around his car, and on the hood of the vehicle. Although he did not witness the vandalism himself, and no one has yet come forward who did, he explained he has seen the same group hanging around the outside of the store at night in the past. "In the summertime they don't sleep," he said. He said the individuals appeared to be as young as 12 years old up to around 20.

He contacted police following the incident and a report was taken over the phone, he explained. "We need more police presence (downtown)," said Mr. Mohammad.

Now Mr. Mohammad will be walking to his workplace until he gets his car repaired, which will cost upwards of $500, he said.

Detective Sergeant Herb Curwain of north Durham police said there was another incident of vandalism the night of May 12, with windows being broken at a concrete factory on Victoria Street. But he noted vandalism is not isolated to the warmer months. "This happens all year around," he said. "Parents need to know where their kids are."

He said there are no suspects regarding the car damage at Mac's, but police are "checking video in the area" for clues. He said there have been some issues in the downtown area with youth recently, with five arrested in February following a theft at Pizza Pizza in December. Police initially apply "diversion" tactics so youth don't end up with a criminal record. "It usually has good success" but some become repeat offenders, said the detective.

When police approach the parents of charged youth, they get a mixed reaction, said Det. Sgt. Curwain. "When mom and dad say, 'It's your problem,' then we know why the kids are the way they are," he said. Some parents are surprised, he added. But, "If their kid has been in trouble several times I find it hard to believe they're surprised."

Song Ning, manager of Coffee Time next door to Mac's, said the problem of youth hanging around the buildings late at night is not as bad as it used to be. "It's better now," she said, adding she has asked individuals not to loiter near the business in the past. "Some kids hang around the whole day."

There hasn't been any vandalism incidents at her store. "To me, I feel I'm lucky," said Ms. Ning.

If residents see vandalism in progress, they shouldn't try to stop it but record any details that may help police identify a suspect, and then call 911, said Det. Sgt. Curwain.

Anyone with information regarding the most recent incidents of vandalism in Uxbridge can call Durham Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or Det. Sgt. Herb Curwain directly at 905-579-1520 ext. 2674.

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