Latest Teen Craze Costing Its Victims

Gone are the days of the classic toilet paper pranks and eggings; today's teens are taking part in stunts that have evolved into an illegal, and costly, act of vandalism. "Fence plowing", referred to by some as the urban version of "cow tipping" is one of the latest teen crazes, and increasing numbers of teens are taking part. The basic idea of fence plowing is to barrel head-first through someone's wooden fence with the intention of breaking through it or knocking it over. It's a stunt that is costing its victims a pretty penny.

Fence plowing began when college student Adam Schleichkorn was drinking beer and observing a hurricane-damaged fence in his cousin's back yard. Schleichkorn told a friend that he would go right through the fence if he ran at it full-speed. The friend did, while Schleichkorn videotaped him. He uploaded the video to YouTube, and fence plowing was born as thousands of teens watched the stunt and decided to copy it. Schleichkorn says his act was a tribute to the MTV hit Jackass, but says that he does not condone teens copying the act, calling those who vandalize other's property "dumb".

In fact, fence plowing has cost both its victims and its perpetuators. Five Long Island teens have been arrested, and several victims of the act have had to spend up to thousands of dollars to repair their fences. Many residents, some of whom have been vandalized on more than one occasion, are setting up security cameras to catch the teens red-handed. Most of the incidents have occurred between the hours of midnight and two in the morning. Police say that at least ten other incidents in the area are being investigated.

Sources
Newsday:

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/nylifenc0203,0,1981186.story?track=mostemailedlink

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/nyliplow0203,0,1382198.story?track=rss