What is with kids these days?!!! The kids that live on the street behind be are running a muck! Lately it has been getting worse. I now come home to find kids climbing on my van and sliding down the front of it. They are destructive and have broken other neighbors back doors. Other neighbors have noticed scratch marks on their cars. What can I do?? this is ridiculous. I don't feel like being the old nagging lady, b/c i'm only 21 but this is driving me crazy.. oh and the thing that has really pissed me off lately is that the little boys are starting to pee behind everyones car and it reaks. Where are their parents?? what can I do put an end to this?? Any comments??

thanks

This is a problem everywhere. The fact is there are many parents out there who exercise little or no control over their children. I think, however, you have to bring it back to them every time. It may be a pain in the butt, but if you're showing up at their door every day complaining, maybe bringing by various bits of "evidence" - maybe they'll get the picture.

That second suggestion comes from a neighbor who got PO'd at someone who left their doggie bag full of cr*p in front of his house. He saw the person, followed them back home, holding the bag, and then slipped it through the guy's mail slot. If you perchance could find anything the boy peed on, put on some rubber gloves, pick it up and leave it on the parents' stoop, or perhaps stuff it into the mail slot if you can. I know that sounds gross, but you have to "bring it home" to them somehow.

I say turn 'em in! We have this same problem on our block and the parents care not at all. A number of folks on the block have tried to talk to the parents and they have taken the "it's not your kids" mentality. It drives me insane.

If the parents aren't responsible, someone needs to be. My neighbor caught the kids vandalizing the post box and called the police... They were forced to clean it up (these kids are between ages 8-12, I'd say) and quite frankly, we haven't had any real problems since that time. They now fear authority a little more than before.

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I feel your frustration, abrat. Going to the parents of these children is very iffy. You're dealing with people that have no idea where their children are, and truly don't care. I don't think you'll get too far with them.

Now if your other neighbors get behind you then you may be able to confront the issue. I'd suggest that alternative. Strength in numbers.

You are not a complaining old lady. Your property is being ruined. Your working all day so you can reside in a decent area. This isn't like the days of old when the elderly neighbor yelled at you for playing ball in front of her house. These kids are out of control. They have no supervision. Nobody cares about them. Somehow this is now your problem.

The reality is that there are parents that care. We try to raise responsible, caring, polite children. We teach them to respect other people's property.
It's difficult for these kids when their fellow neighbors are peeing behind cars, and running the streets. When you correct them for something they just look at these other kids, and say "Well, Bobby can go anywhere he wants. He's allowed five blocks away. He's allowed to stand on Mrs. B's car".

I wish you luck. Hopefully your other neighbors will stand up. If not maybe you can call the cops. Report the damage, and hold the parents liable. They definately don't want to take the time to go to court. They don't even have time for their own children.

Ever hear of something called "the cops"? Call 911. The sections I highlighted in red are called vandalism, destruction of private property, and public indecency. The cops would know what to do with these kids.

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I agree with Scoop. Call the cops. Sometimes, you have to be careful with neighbors. You could really p.o. the parents if you confront them....and they can retaliate by scratching your car, slashing tires, etc... Let the cops deal with it.

You know the funny thing about 911? Remember all of the billboards saying "911 is for emergencies"...yet...I was watching the news last night and someone was complaining about trucks parking overnight in "no truck parking". IN fact, they would park right next to the signs. At the end of the report, the police department issued a statement that if he noticed these trucks parking on the block...they should call "911" :what_huh:

Look up your local district and give them a call. If it happens more during a certain time of the day...I would let them know.

All,

I feel your pain. This is something we had a big problem with in my neighborhood a few years back. It was out of control. I had my windshield smashed for complaining about these kids jumping up and down on my car. I confronted the parent and tried to be decent about it but had it thrown back in my face. The neighbor's logic was that since her kids are only two of about 14 that frequented the house on a regular basis, I couldn't hold her responsible. Later that summer, I caught them lighting fireworks under my car and several others. My neighbors and I called the police relentlessly throughout that summer and were greeted with everything from sympathy to outright hostility, but no real solutions. I tried to get involved with a town watch with several neighbors, but it broke down into a screaming match.

Last year, my neighbors decided that they weren't going to deal with another summer like the previous two and had cameras installed on their property. Yes, it's a bit extreme but let me tell you, it works wonders! Once they had two late night incidents on tape, it all stopped. You may think this is a draconian tactic, but it's well worth it for the peace it brings you. I'm not saying it's a solution for everyone, but a videotape is a lot more effective than screaming at ignorant parents or resorting to retaliation.

You shouldn't have to dread summer. Too many people in this city do.

This is interesting. I'm curious - what did they do with the tape once they had it? Send copies to the parents & the cops?

Something happened to the system over the years, Diva. Back in the day, you would call 231-3131. (see http://www.northeasttimes.com/2003/1...emergency.html for an editorial about that old number, as well as dialing 911).

If you call the local district, you can ask to speak with the community service officer, who handles neighborhood complaints. The officer will try to help resolve issues -- and you can ask the officer to approach Family A, B, and C -- and to keep you and others filing the complaint anonymous.

If you need a cop to come out to your place while the vanmonkeys are busy sliding and climbing, you have to call 911 to have a cop dispatched. The days of calling the local district to have a cop dispatched are long gone (again, see the link to the story in the Northeast Times, above).

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They showed the tape to the cops who then confronted the mother and told her that she could either pay for the damages or be subjected to a lawsuit. Bottom line, she ended up paying several hundred in damages and we had a peaceful summer.