Dealing with Teenage Delinquents

Contact the police and ask them what to do about harrasment. I would set up a camera outside and record what is happening. Evidence against them.

Have you called the police to let them know about it? And possibly the schools truent (sp?) Officer. Hope you get some help with this.

Something like this happened to our neighbors 2 years ago. One of the teen delinquents was smitten with one of their daughters. She rejected the boy's advances b/c she was dating someone steadily.

Our neighbors kept a log of each offense: date, time, details. They came over and sat in our office one evening and waited with video camera and recorded the hoodlums scratching the cars. But then the husband followed the hoodlums home and confronted them and their parents with video evidence. (This was NOT the thing to do, said police later!!!) The dad should have taken the camera and the log book to the police and filed a complaint. Because things actually got worse after the confrontation. Then, they called police and the police caught them one night trying to poison their dog.

So don't let things get any worse...idiot kids like that who are confronted get real angry! Let the police handle it. But you need written records and video tape.

Everyone has given you very good advise but I think the first thing you must do is contact the police. They will give you advise on what to do legally as well. I would not and I repeat NOT have your husband follow them and talk to their parents. Let the police handle it or something horrible could happen that puts your husband in a bad position like being arrested himself and you certainly don't it to get to that point. Also those kids are out and about causing trouble because either their parents don't know what they are doing or don't care and talking to them just might cause you more stress and they may turn around and sue you for harrassement. So please call the police and tell them what is happening. The idea of a camera is a good one as well. They may break it if they see it but at least you will get them on camera before that starts. It would be money worth spending and don't move at this point. I disagree that you don't move or the punks win, sometime it is best to do that if it gets totally out of hand for the safety of your famly, but I feel confident if you get the police involved and these kids see more police presence etc. they will move on. Good Luck to you and I know it is scary but do the right thing so it will end it for sure.

I would not open the door to them. You never know what will happen - they could be on drugs and push their way into your home and hurt you or your children. They may have concealed weapons the next time if you provoke them. Somehow get their pictures - I think I would get the security camera installed someone mentioned, like a nanny cam, so you can record the incidents on tape for the police to identify and take care of. Good luck.

Can you set up a little camera and then report their activity to the police? I mean, there may be something that can be done if you have proof. I am really sorry you are going through this. Also if you are a believer in God I would walk around and pray over my property. I wish you all the best:)

Have you called the cops? If you have to, call them EVERY hour of EVERY day. Those little punks don't own you or your house. They also have no right to terrorize you and your children. Stand up for yourselves and get your money's worth out of the law enforcement your tax dollars pay for. Keep your husband from losing his cool because he'll just lose his credibility with the law when they are finally involved. Ask your neighbors if they're having problems with this as well. Ask them if they will help you keep an eye out for those goons and get as many descriptions as possible.
Do they have a pattern? Do they come around at about the same time each time they offend? Immediately file a formal complaint with the police. Keep doing it until these punks are stopped. Obviously their parents are not parenting and it is not your job to have to put up with them. As a high school teacher I can tell you this won't stop until the kids realize they have no more POWER over your family.

Call the police. I bet they will stop if the police have a talk with their parents.

Go ahead and report them to the police and try to give descriptions. It's better than confronting them and causing more harm for self. Let police deal with them and parents. I once heard that if you are looking for a house by driving through a neighborhood and someone reported you by the time your car got to the end of the street, you should buy in that neighborhood. Hang in there.

Invest in a surveillance camera and record them doing what they do and take them and their parents to court. I am sure once their parents have to pay and take off work, it will stop.

Dear S.,

Report them to the police! You may feel guilty about reporting them since they are "just kids" but you are thinking of MOVING because of them? Also, show your children that you can protect them from these bullies by having the police come out and file a report. They are breaking the peace in your home and therefore, breaking the law.

Good luck.
blessings,
Stacy

Your husband could try following the boys home and then confront their parents about the situation. If you can afford it, you could consider installing security cameras around your home to get them on tape then turn that over to the police, if you can identify who the repeat offenders are. Video tape would negate any denials on the part of the kids. Depending on local laws, parents can be held responsible/have to pay for any damages caused by their minor children or have to pay fines, etc.

OMG. How terrifing for you and your kids. I agree with calling the police and getting any solid evedence you can. If the police come to your house see if they can finger print the windows that they are banging on- this can lead to them being identified. Here might also be a way to deter them from approaching your home- we had a problem with unwanted cats medding in our yard some one suggested these sprinkler like things that are motion activated. When the cat or in your case the teens walk within range of the sprinkler it goes off. This is a non confrontational, non-harmfull means of just letting them know that there are some consequenses for tresspassing on your property. I don't think that there would be any legal consequenses for you since you would simply just be "watering" your lawn. Just a suggestion. Hope that you can get this resolved and have peace of mind.

Does this happen during daylight hours or at night in the dark? Do you have a civic club that can allert the area constable to patrol? If not, call the police and ask for an unmarked car to park or patrol at the times this is happening. It's probably a bunch of bored kids with nothing to do until school starts. But if they keep it up after school starts, they need civic/police intervention. Keep your husband in the house because no matter what the kids do, he could get into some serious trouble if he hurt one of them.

I would contact the local police and talk to them about holding a neighborhood meeting.

This way they can help you discuss your issues and help you find a resolution that will not endanger your family.

Buy a camcorder or borrow one. Catch them in the act by recording it and take it to the police. Cameras are always our best weapons.

I'm guessing you have called the area law enforcement that is responsible for your area EACH AND EVERY TIME this is happening. If by calling the dispatch number and requesting a unit is not working you need to DEMAND to speak to a supervisor and explain the situation.

You can install an X-10 camera system relatively inexpensive. This system can either be on a relay or set up to record. We have a system at our house and the cameras are visible and act as a pretty good deterrent. My husband installs these as a sideline hobby - I'm sure he would be happy to assist you with a set up or recommend what type of equipment you need to purchase.

Since you are SAHM, set up a video recorder in a window that faces the area they usually come from - have it ready to go at a moments notice so that you can get them on tape.

I would call the police everyday until they do something! Video tape the kids in the act and take pictures of them. Call the news to come out and report and let them know that the police have been no help to you! That will get someone on the ball to catch these kids! Don't let them run you out of YOUR HOME!!! Best of Luck to you!!!

Have you called the police? Is there a particular time frame that they tend to show up in? If so, the police can patrol around that time and nab them. Or just ask the police to patrol more all the time. That's trespassing, harassment, etc. If they cause any damage, it turns to vandalism and destruction of property. Do you have a neighborhood patrol in your subdivision? Borrow someone's big, mean dog! Sorry I can't think of more, but you shouldn't even be thinking about moving, that's letting the punks win.

Get a digital camera and get their pictures and any license nunbers. Call the police. Press charges and stick up for yourselves.

Get them on video and take that to the police!

Is it just your house or are they targeting the whole neighborhood? Have you called the police? If the police are getting multiple complaints for a neighborhood they may be willing to increase their patrols through the area. Do you happen to know or have an idea of the school the kids might attend? If so, you could try to capture it on video or a regular photo and take it to the principal of the school (or schools) and try to get to them that way. I'm guessing the principal won't give you any information if they recognize the kids, however they may be willing to talk to the kids and this might scare them since they've been identified.

Lastly, if you can't actually DO anything to stop it, you could try doing nothing. The only "fun" the kids are getting out of this is hearing and seeing the commotion that they cause. Try keeping everyone quiet and ignore it if possible. I know it's hard, especially husbands want to be protectors and go out and "solve the problem" but sometimes this is more effective then getting into a street fight with a bunch of bored teenagers.

Good luck,
K.

Hi S.,
It
is so unfortunate that today's parents have solittle control over their children. I am sorry you and your family are having to endure this annoyance.
Here are a couple of things you can do-
first- try and organize your neighbors- find out who these children are and report them to the police and their parents. If there is no damage done to any property, the police will most likely say there is nothing they can do- but they are on alert and you can file a complaint against the parents as well as the children.-
then- you can try this- just a little thing- watch for them- be aware when they are coming- have the water hose ready on full blast and hit them with the water ....surprise them with little attacks of your own- nothing that would be harmful- justletting them know you are not going to put up with this- then if they do not go away- file a real complaint on the parents with the police- have the police go and talk with the parents- other than these little things- I cannot think of anything you can do legally.
good luck and blessings

Wow. I dont have any major helpful advice. I am just astounded that they would keep coming back and doing after being chased away. Early or late teens? What about finding out where they live and calling the police? That sounds so incredibly frustrating. Sorry your family is going through this.

A.- mom to Dominic (11) and Julian (8)

I would call the local police and demand an officer to patrol your street as much as possible. Document incidents, take pics, and go to the police station and try to get a restraining order. You have to get on top of this.. chase them out taking pics..they'll start to think differently. Go in and ask a policeman. Tell them you think this could escalate, and ask their opinions. As a scare tactic, if you have a gun, maybe walk out with that.. I'm sure they would think twice about coming back..and you are within your rights to do so. I don't personally have one in my home, but this situation might warrant it. I am so sick that someone would invade your space like this, and I know how terrified my kids would be. Good luck. I think persistance is the key. If you need more ideas, my brother in law is a HPD officer in Clear Lake, and I could pick his brain.

I do hope you've been in touch with the police. Also, are there neighbors who could help identify or stop them? I'm picturing the doorbell ringing and you and several other adults opening the door and shooting pictures of them.

Ugh - what a pain. Sorry these guys are picking on you.

video, video, video. it doesn't even have to be expensive. would a couple of your neighbors be willing to also assist. the greatest part of video is it is not confrontational, the brats and their parents cannot deny the kids actions and the police will beable to utilize it.

good luck,
d

I agree that you should get an inexpensive nanny cam or take pictures or video with a digital camera. You should continue to call the police. They are not just trespassing but are harassing you and are banging on your property.

Maybe if you call the police and take their picture while they are doing it, you can show the cops that come to your door the pictures. For all you know they are trying to break in, call 911 and tell them that!

Good luck I really hope it works out and they learn their lesson!

Have you called the police? Is there a certain time of day that they do this? I know where I live, if there is a span of time during the day that this occurs, they will have an officer hiding somewhere on the street and this will take care of it. You might give it a try.

My concern is that this could be a precursor to more violent activity. It's not unusual for new gang recruits to do things like that to build up their 'courage' to do something more severe. My sister's neighbor right across from her had a drive by shooting. The truck and house were shot up, but thankfully no one was hurt. He's a single day with 3 little kids and just recently got out of the hospital from having a heart attack. He has no obvious reason to have been targeted. My BIL called the police (he was an eye witness) and the police found a cellphone near the scene that had recent photos of teens standing in front of the house proudly holding their weapons (some kind of military style large automatic weapons, not the typical variety.) I should add that this is a very nice neighborhood in League City, not in the 'ghetto.'

I don't say this to scare you, but to encourage you to call the police and they may even have a camera you can borrow to try to catch them. If there's a particular time or day they usually come, the police can make sure they are in the neighborhood and then call them as soon as it starts happening.

DO NOT ENGAGE THE PERPETRATORS. Not only can this be bad for you or your husband immediately, it could have legal ramifications as well as put your family at further risk.

Hi S.~
That infuriates me - if it were me I would set up motion lights all around my home. I would also try to set up some sort of camera to record them, but I wouldn't open the door or engage them that just adds to their fun. Not sure how old your boys are but I would also consider getting a large dog - German Shepherd preferably. They are loyal dogs who are gentle until you mess with their family. Or just a recording of large dogs?? But that would only work for a little while. And I would definitely call the police or sheriff's department and see what they can do for you..remember they are there to help you and don't like these kid's doing this either.
Best of luck and keep us posted! God Bless!