Quoted:
Vandalizing a fire hydrant? give me a break. Hitting one with a car on purpose is vandalizing one, hitting with a golf club is a dumb thing kids do.
Ah.... NO! ...no break given on this!!!
Replace fire hydrant with the wheels on your car parked in a public lot. Same kids... same golf club.
True... other than chip the paint off, they most likely will not damage the hydrant or your wheels to the point they will not function.
So... If I key your car, that would not be vandalism... as the car will still totally function?
But if I open the hood and bash your engine with a sledge hammer that is... because that causes damage which effects the functionality of your car?
I think we would have a major confrontation if I did either. I bet you would think both would be vandalism to your personal property! I don't think you would be thinking... "Kids will be kids." Then mess up their hair with your hand... smile and walk off.
What they were doing was three things.
1. Stupid (being a kid is not an excuse for doing unacceptable things)
2. Vandalism (damaging property is this manner even though it does not effect function is wrong)
3. Fatal (doing wrong has consequences. There are those we expect and accept... and there is the unknown. In this case Karma backed-up on this kid. It is sad a life was lost over doing stipid things. But it is not so uncommom that kids die from stupid acts. Be it hill topping... drugs... racing... playing with guns they should not have... doing dare-devil stuff they copy from TV... or hitting a golf club on a fire hydrant! Sometimes STUPID kills!)
YES... Vandalism!