Home Owner pays for sons damage to common area

We have young man who is a menace to the community. He is 19yrs, ,don't work, been in and out of jail, caught on camera stealing and damaged the community monument. Over the holidays he stole a vehicle and while he was chased by police he ran into our community monument causing 12k in damage. Unfortunately, the HOA did not have insurance to cover the common area so the Home owners will have to cover the cost. My question is can we go after his parents to cover the cost. He did not steal their car it was someone else's and we know it will be a waste of time to go after him. The community feels we should send a letter to the parents to pay for the repairs. Is it appropriate to ask them to volunteer payment before we attempt legal. Our fear is we don't have legal recourse against the parents.

No insurance but this kid is a "menace". Alrighty then.

In any case, do your governing documents not say that an owner will be responsible for damages to the common property caused by his or her guests, tenants, visitors and invitees?

Actually, even if you did have insurance, that's still the route I would pursue. (For $12,000 that monument better be autographed by George Calvert himself )