Parents should be made financially responsible for property crime committed by their children, Halifax council said, passing a motion urging the province to consider such a law. 

Councillors want a law similar to one in British Columbia. Under the Parental Responsibility Act, parents can be required to pay for vandalism committed by young offenders, to a maximum of $10,000.
 
Coun. Jim Smith says residents in his Dartmouth North district are fed up.

"There are kids out there all hours breaking windows," Smith told council Tuesday night, "and the police taking this person back to the house, and the parent saying, 'I don't care.'"

Council passed the motion after other councillors shared similar stories.

Coun. Gary Martin said provincial politicians should act or face the consequences.

"Youth problems are a concern, and once this hits the floor and if they decide to ignore us … it will end up back in the ballot box," he said.

Councillors say they're optimistic the province will take the idea seriously, particularly when a provincial task force on safe communities is about to begin discussions.

"The timing is right on this," said Coun. Becky Kent. "They should be made aware of this kind of strategy from an HRM perspective. I think it could give strength to discussions they have around the table."