Perhaps the $250 reward being offered by Seven Fields Borough for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a spate of vandalism in that community will encourage someone to come forward. But more likely that size of a reward won't be enough to stop the vandalism.

What Seven Fields might need is a community watch and, maybe more importantly, tough questions being asked by parents whose sons and daughters are outside late at night.

Now, based on the vandalism in the Brandywine Commons development, parents whose children have access to a BB gun need to start paying more attention to if and when that gun has been taken from the house. Parents could be held financially responsible for damage committed by minor children.

Vandals have used one or more BB guns to shoot out four globes covering lamppost lights in Brandywine Commons — damage estimated at about $500. As an article in Wednesday's Butler Eagle noted, since the development is maintained by a homeowners' association, the 44 households there will be responsible for paying to repair the lamps.

The Brandywine vandalism followed numerous incidents at Towne Park in recent weeks. At the park, vandals broke beer bottles near the pool, damaged the playground and broke glass blocks in a pool house.

In hopes of ending park vandalism, the borough paid more than $6,000 to have six security cameras installed at the park.

That action might work but, as indicated by the Brandywine damage, the vandals now have moved beyond the view of the cameras.

Seven Fields is not a large community but, without a police department, it is at a disadvantage in dealing with a problem like the current vandalism. It's troubling that individuals living in or close by the community have such little regard for others' property.

If they are apprehended, they deserve no extra compassion. And, if they are minors, their parents should not escape the financial consequences of their actions.

There is a good chance that someone besides the vandals knows the identity of those causing the damage. They would do the borough a favor if they provided the information that law enforcement officials need for prosecution — even if they choose to forgo the reward and provide the information anonymously.

Cranberry Township police patrol the borough under a contract with Seven Fields.

Towne Park vandalism had been so persistent that, during a two-week span, there was an incident at the park every night. Now the concern has spread beyond the park.

"It's a shame because the community puts so much money into the new park and it's for the benefit of everybody, but one or two spoil it for so many others," said Margaret Owen, president of the Brandywine Commons association.

Everyone in Seven Fields ought to be concerned because, in the case of damage to public property, tax revenue is being wasted on cleanup and repairs. Meanwhile, people have a right to live in Seven Fields without fear of damage to their private property.

Obviously, Seven Fields needs to find ways to step up its response to the vandalism, and more cooperation by residents appears essential.