What do i do about the neighborhood kids?!?

S

SED21

New member
What can i do about my neighborhood kids harassing my family? I have lived in my apartment for almost two years, about 3 months into my lease i had a group of boys banging on my front door then running away...i blew it off as boys being boys. Then it started to pick up, happening more and more from anywhere from 4pm-9pm. Aggressively banging on my door then running away before i answer...several times a weak, a few time a evening. I have called the police, i have seen a few of them but i dont know where they live and im not about to stalk a child home.

I have a two year old and a one year old...they dont understand when someone knocks on the door and no one is there, they get upset and confused, sometimes it scares them because the boys bang so violently on the door. My two year old thinks it might be his grandmother knocking, then gets upset when no one is there.

But today, they attempted to open my front door. It was very aggressive, and alarmed my husband and myself. But when we opened the door, they were already gone. I reported it to the office, they actually asked me if the boys came from two specific apartment numbers so it seems to not just be me with the problem. all they can do is send out a flyer, if parents do not control there children they will be fined for anything they do...

Is there nothing i can do, no report i can make? I feel like my door must be locked at all times no matter what because of these punks...they are 9-10 years old, old enough to know better, not to mention there safety...what happens when they knock on the wrong door!
Note: i have called the cops twice, then stopped. They can not do anything if i dont know where they live...all they do is drive around the complex.
 
00 buckshot from a 12 guage shotgun will go right through the door; no need to even open it stop someone from trying to commit a home invasion to your apartment.
 
My guess is, it's just a phase and they'll grow out of it. Or, if you really want to be aggressive, leave the door open a crack, but make it look like it's closed. Next time they knock, the door will open and you'll be able to see who it is. Run after them, bring them to their parents for a beating.
 
I am glad to hear that you know better not to stalk a child home. This can be tempting, but DO NOT do it, and make sure your husband knows this too. And don't ever chase them or threaten them. If you do that and it gets reported, YOU will be the one to get in trouble.

If you want to give the police a greater sense of urgency, tell them that you are concerned for the safety of your children. You see the situation escalating from knocking to actually trying to open your door. You are afraid that next they will do something to your toddlers. This may not be fully true, but tell them that in order to give them a sense of urgency. In the mean time, definitely keep your door locked. With little kids around, you should not wait for someone to try and break in before you start locking it. It is a standard safety precaution.

So what can YOU do about it? Luckily it is not hopeless. Here are my suggestions.

1) During the times that they normally knock, stand near the door, look through the peephole if you have one, and as soon as either you see them or you hear them, open the door. You will get a better view of who they are. They won't have time to run away. Again, DO NOT detain them or threaten them. Just try and get a look at them, and if you can, you can take a picture or video.

2) Speaking of videos, have you thought of somehow installing a camera outside? That way you can show it to the police. Even if the camera is visible, this will at least act as a deterrent. It may not catch them, but it will solve the problem as far as you need to be concerned.

3) If all else fails, set up booby traps. Kidding. Don't do that.

EDIT: If you absolutely must know where they live, you can follow them to see which door they enter, but don't touch them. Many people would detain them and take them to their parents' place. This would do the job, but I advise against it, because there is a tiny chance you may face legal ramifications of kidnapping or even assault. You have a motive, at least in the eyes of a DA.
 
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