Too lenient on vandalism?

Judging from a News and Sentinel poll response, I'm not too sure Belpre Mayor Mike Lorentz will get much of a "thumbs up" from the community over the sentence he handed out to one of the YouTube Christmas vandal.

Kenneth Cobb Jr., 19, of Blennerhassett Avenue -- an Eagle Scout, no less -- was fined a measly $200 of a possible $750, and sentenced to three days in the Washington County jail and three days of community service, along with paying a third of the restitution to those whose property he destroyed.

Wow, is that all?

The mayor initially sentenced the 19-year-old to 35 days of a possible 90-day sentence, but suspended 39 days in lieu of the three days in jail and community service. Again, is that all?

Cobb was charged with aiding others on the night of Jan. 2 when several Christmas decorations and mailboxes in Belpre were destroyed ... and the vandalism was filmed for posting on YouTube.

Two juveniles, which judging by past practice of the Belpre Police Department, may never be publicly known allegedly were involved in the rampage and may appear in Washington County Juvenile Court.

Maybe if the teens knew their identities would be known and they were publicly scorned, they might think twice about doing such stupid and destructive acts. Besides, parents should have the right to know who the vandals were so they can keep their teens away from them.

Yep, I doubt if the mayor is going to have to worry about getting a reputation for being hard on vandals ... and, who knows, his leniency might come back and bite him before his term is over.