I apologize in advance for the length of this post.
I inherited my house from my Uncle and Aunt when they passed in 2002. Shortly after we had 2 neighbor boys that would occasionally come over to play with my 2 kids. This was a constant stressor, since I needed to watch the 2 boys constantly. They would break my kids toys, they would curse and name call, pee in cups and leave them in my yard, punch my son, etc....
I finally had enough, and told them not to enter my yard anymore. 3-4 years ago, a group of these 2 boys and their friends decided to shoot paintballs at our lawn tractor as it sat outside of our shed. When I saw them walking down the street I asked them to clean up the mess. The youngest boy started arguing, I took out my phone and started dialing the police. The oldest boy said lets just go clean it, so the cops don't come. (A smart moment)
Last year the oldest boy got a car, and not soon after changed his exhaust. He would drive up and down the street revving the engine and peeling out. Other neighbors complained to the police, I did not. About this same time, cars would show up in front of my house, and stop for a few moments and exchange "items" though the window. I decided to take photos, to document this activity. These kids finally noticed my camera in the window. That activity has stopped, for now. (My office window looks out over my front yard)
Last fall, one of the boys decided that my driveway made a good cut through to the street behind us. He would routinely use it, despite me telling him to stop trespassing. I finally did call the police, and he was told and his friends, not to trespass.
On 7/8/2011 a car with 3 boys in it (friends of the 2 boys), parked outside my house in my front driveway. Held up drug paraphernalia, waited a few minutes for a girl from down the street to get in, then drove away. This is just the latest behavior of these kids "friends")
It seems as if I now have a bigger problem.....
How do I deal with this????????
I'm really at my wits end.
Criminal behavior by neighbors
Sorry, but I have no good answer for you, much as I sympathize with your situation. You can post no trespassing signs and keep hounding the police to enforce your rights, but that may just make the situation worse, depending on how the kids react to your efforts. I think it will really come down to how proactive the police are willing to get on your behalf. If you believe the situation would improve with police involvement, then I would continue to call the police until they agree to have a chat with the boys and to monitor the situation until it improves. Squeaky wheel gets the grease?
Criminal behavior by neighbors
Thank you for the reply.
I do think at this point, anything I do won't amount to a hill of beans.
These kids seem determined to escalate their behavior.
Unfortunately I have a few things not working in my favor: (I have more to lose than these lowlifes)
1. I am a LTC-A holder, I co-teach a youth Marksmanship Rifle program. (I could have my guns taken away if these kids retaliate by filing a Restraining/Harassment order against me.)
2. This is a small town, and we have a "good ole boy network". (My daughter was riding her bike, and was the victim of a hit and run. A good Samaritan followed the driver and called 911. While I was at the hospital with my daughter, the driver showed up at my house and told my hubby, "I'm the guy that hit your daughter", he didn't leave any info, and left when he learned she was at the hosp. FireFighter hubby is wondering how this guy got the PERSONAL info of a civil servant, AND a 14 y.o. minor? He went to the P.D. to get a copy of the accident report, AND the PERSONAL info of the driver, and was told he couldn't get one they are for Insurance companies ONLY)
Another example of this small town: I am a NRA Instructor for Home Firearm Safety, Range Safety Officer, Certified Pistol and Certified Rifle, yet I was RESTRICTED on my LTC-A, despite the fact that I transport 10+firearms to and from classes. I CAN NOT conceal carry, to keep these guns from falling into the wrong hands, or to protect myself in the same event.
As much as I would love to call the police, I am quite certain this would only escalate these kids behavior, and the police would only label me a trouble maker, busybody.
I'm just in a no win situation, and I don't have my magic wand! :-)
I really do appreciate your response, and taking the time to reply. Thanks again!