Crisis Building in Neighborhood

[nils]

Mrvmax...I was insinuating that the talk was to fix all of their life issues, but merely to work out the problem that they are having with each other....if it doesn't work, then I would choose the second option...I have a CHL, and good rapport with all of my neighbors....and I find that talking with people about potential problems seems to nip it in the bud....but to each his own.

[Venus Pax]

The General can be a leader of young men here, something he is capable of doing. He is obviously there every day and can be a force for good in these young men's lives.

Or he can sweep the problem under the rug and suffer the consequences.

He can choose one or the other.

IMHO, he needs to befriend the young men and then mold them.

Befriending these kids would have been the ounce of prevention before the problems started. If he steps in and takes a gentle approach now, these adolescents are going to escalate. Undisciplined adolescents tend to mistake kindness for weakness.

I have seen many situations where a male teen's behavior was tempered by an older male in the child's life, but it only worked because this individual was present before trouble ever started.

Other than contacting the agencies that deal with these issues, I can't see a real out for this guy. The person that recommended alarm systems & surveillance cameras gave good advice.

On my campus, we get anonymous calls every so often about kids in our zone causing mischief during the school day. If they are enrolled, the officer picks them up. If not, he begins an investigation as to why they are in the area if they are not enrolled in school.
I'm guessing this isn't procedure in other areas.

[troglodyte]

May not solve any problems but it could give him a little breathing room if he no tresspassed them and filed it with the police, however you do that. Then if they are on his property or vandalize his property there is criminal tresspass. May not work for the younger kids but it would certainly apply to the older.

Not sure how no tresspassing works. I'll have to do more research myself.

[Oldgringo]

The General can be a leader of young men here, something he is capable of doing. He is obviously there every day and can be a force for good in these young men's lives.

Or he can sweep the problem under the rug and suffer the consequences.

He can choose one or the other.

IMHO, he needs to befriend the young men and then mold them.

Befriending these kids would have been the ounce of prevention before the problems started. If he steps in and takes a gentle approach now, these adolescents are going to escalate. Undisciplined adolescents tend to mistake kindness for weakness.

I have seen many situations where a male teen's behavior was tempered by an older male in the child's life, but it only worked because this individual was present before trouble ever started.

Other than contacting the agencies that deal with these issues, I can't see a real out for this guy. The person that recommended alarm systems & surveillance cameras gave good advice.

On my campus, we get anonymous calls every so often about kids in our zone causing mischief during the school day. If they are enrolled, the officer picks them up. If not, he begins an investigation as to why they are in the area if they are not enrolled in school.
I'm guessing this isn't procedure in other areas.

Out here in the boonies where everybody pretty much knows everybody else, you go to the police station and file and sign a complaint. If the police don't follow up, you tell 'em about it (call 'em at every infraction) until they do. Perhaps in the big cities, a little publicity from the media will get the police to do their jobs if they don't follw up on the complaint/s?

In any event, no one should be terrorized by a bunch of punk kids for any reason!

[mrvmax]

Mrvmax...I was insinuating that the talk was to fix all of their life issues, but merely to work out the problem that they are having with each other....if it doesn't work, then I would choose the second option...I have a CHL, and good rapport with all of my neighbors....and I find that talking with people about potential problems seems to nip it in the bud....but to each his own.

Makes sense, I guess I didn't understand your point.

[nils]

No problem....let's hope that it gets itself worked out with minimal damage.....to the older gentleman

[KD5NRH]

Apparently, the little girl set the MBR on fire while the boys were lined up with the 14 year old in another part of the house.

How sweet of you to teach that little girl useful skills like firebuilding!

[LCP_Dogg]

Can he not get a restraining order and then get some cameras to record how close they come to his house?

+1 on the big scary dog and open carry of a carbine rifle..

[FightinAggieCHL]

He might be able to talk with them about some of his old military days. If he's a General, he might be able to spark some interest in them in the military. Who knows. Old military stories can do a lot to garner some respect in young people. Maybe its just the type of people I grew up with, but I think that is a fairly common ground. Maybe ask the 17 year old if he ever thought about joining whatever branch of service he is in. If he says "maybe," or "I've thought about it" lay into him with the war stories. The 17 yr old is probably their ring leader. If you can get his respect, the others will follow.

I don't think that waiting around carrying a gun in sight is going to solve anything. It might act further as a provocation. If the kids were really looking for a gun when they were in the garage, and the weren't provoked then, why would the be as non-violent if they thought he was armed? The kids will probably not act rationally toward seeing the gun. They probably "know" enough about the law to really hurt someone for no good reason. (ie, he came on our property when we told him to go away, so I shot him). Open carry is a really bad idea in this situation.

[LCP_Dogg]

He might be able to talk with them about some of his old military days. If he's a General, he might be able to spark some interest in them in the military.

If they learn about his past, they may think he has a lot of military stuff and try to break into his house (and or be successful in stealing such stuff).. Just a thought.. I never like to advertise what I have/do...

I agree with what was said about REDIRECTing them. They need a hobby. A non-destructive hobby. Like Snowboarding or Skateboarding for summer. Or perhaps a basketball. :) You could try dumping some stuff in/near their yard - they'll most likely "steal" it thinking they got something for free, and will surely spend a few hours or days messing around with it (before getting bored).