I tried to ignore the kid on my street

[Marthe48]

I last posted the beginning of August. Ignoring didn't work. I've had to call the sheriff and the state patrol multiple times in the last week. I guess I didn't have to call about the illegal dirt bike, but I just found out he isn't going back to his mother for school, so he'll be here. I decided I don't want to live the rest of time hearing his crap. So I have been calling law enforcement. The kid has escalated to harassing me. He got a couple of his friends to stand in front of my house, first in front then at the side yelling and screaming at me. They didn't leave until a deputy came out and told them to leave. I found out the kid has a police band monitor (?) so he can hear about what they're doing. I have to wonder why a 16 year old boy needs to keep pissing off a neighbor and ride his lawnmower or dirt bike all over the area, and carry a police monitor with him.

My daughter and son-in-law came to visit over the weekend and saw what was going on. They installed a security camera for me, but I think I'll check out another system, as I already see shortcomings in the one I got. Some DUers offered ideas that I now have time to check.

Last night the same kids harassed me again and I called the sheriff again. Just to document. Today, after my daughter and son-in-law left, I printed some notes I've been keeping and drove over to the barracks. I introduced myself, gave the trooper my notes and asked if i was being a nuisance. He said that I should keep calling and that's what they're here for. I felt better.

His grandmother has at least told the boy that I wrote the anonymous text about his guns. I didn't. And her last text to me was a google description of mental illness she thinks I have. Her idea of medicating is drinking wine and chewing CBD gummies, or whatever they are. I have a reputation I am proud of, and I don't need to be lied about. I'll admit I have depression and anziety, but those aren't what she decided i have, so she is lying again. I am thinking about consulting a lawyer. I don't know if she's told anyone else, but if I find out she has, I'll see what I can do to stop that. Also thinking about getting a restraining order against the kid to stop the harassment. He told my son-in-law last night that he wouldn't stop by my house if I stopped calling the cops. He has the situation upside down and backwards. We are all white, and funnily enough, the neighborhood used to be a lot more law-abiding. I remember the same neighbors going after a speeding driver on our street and trapping him up the hill. 1990s. Now, the same neighbors are fine letting this kid speed through the neighborhood, harass an old lady, and pull a trailer full of kids behind a yard tractor after dark. All boyish high spirits.

It isn't fun. We hosted exchange students and mentored international students. I'm friends with many of those students online and have stayed in touch with their local friends. My grandkids like me and their friends do too. What's happening on my own street is not something I ever expected.

Well, as always, thank for listening. I am venting, and it does help. Blessings

[LizBeth]

1. Perused this and not seeing any issue but you are harassing at least equally and

with the use of cops. I dont know what started this, didn't read back to first post.

[Marthe48]

3. didn't go into detail.

The kid rides a loud dirt bike up and down the road. It is not street legal. He speeds. He has to go by my house either in front or along the side. He runs a lawn mower up and down the road as well. I can't do anything about that. I complained last night because it was a safety issue. I complained to his grandmother 2 years ago that the noise bothered me. She told me to get earplugs. I got earphones last year, and another pair this year that are Blue Tooth and wireless. So if I'm home, I wear earphones, so I don't have to listen to his crap. But, I found out last week, he isn't leaving to go back to school and if I don't keep complaining, he is going to keep doing illegal things. I have this house. I have lived here 30 years. It is a good house, and if I sold it, I couldn't afford a comparable house. And why should I have to leave? Or even think about it?

As I write, he is speeding on the road with the bike, revving it and I'm sure hoping to get a reaction. I hope the police will nail him and impound the bike.

[niyad]

18. Since you clearly stated that you had not read the original post, your criticism

of the OP seems quite unfounded.

[LizBeth]

37. So it is about a kid making noise. 'nough said.

And putting the clarification up stating i only read this post made it pretty clear I was working from a place of fairness. but ya... lets call cops on a kid about noise.

[niyad]

40. Continuing to defend the indefensible. Got it.

[LizBeth]

42. Indefensible, lol. My tolerance for other human beings sharing planet is much higher.

[AKwannabe]

44. Commenting without reading

Shows stupid

I see you

[LizBeth]

46. Commenting on a post with lots of info but making clear hadn't read first post

so opinion, mere opinion, was only what I had heard at this point was responsible.

I see you too, lol

[viva la]

20. And if he has guns?

We know where that leads.

[LizBeth]

38. What if. that is not part of the story.

[AKwannabe]

41. Hogwash!

She is not harassing by calling the cops.
It’s self defense/preservation.

Wtf?

Just

[LizBeth]

43. Self defense from noise

[AKwannabe]

45. Of course your didn't read that he has sent friends to her house

You aren’t on the right side of this argument and you won’t be

[LizBeth]

47. There was an occasion AFTER she had been harassing him with cops his friends made noise

on sidewalk of property. Yes the kid should not have done that. ok.

We disagree. But done here. I think she started it. Mere opinion

[RainCaster]

2. You're doing the right thing

Stay strong, I'm sure there are neighbors who feel the same way you do.

[Marthe48]

5. Thank you

[Marthe48]

36. At least one

whoever sent the anonymous text, that prompted the grandmother to drop me. I can't figure out who it is that might have sent it. Someone who cared about gun safety and was techy enough to set up an anonymous text, but didn't want to get involved.

[Beakybird]

4. There's no better evidence than security camera footage. But maybe hide the cameras.

[Marthe48]

6. I talked to a contractor last week

about some work I'd like to have done. I might see if they can put up some mounts and connectors when they do the work. I need an electrician too, so maybe they can do it.

Thank you

[Beakybird]

7. You're welcome. I'm on the other side of the equation.

I have a 7 lb. Maltipoo who yaps in the backyard 15 minutes a day. My neighbor snarls at me whenever he sees me, and he has even called the police on Kiki. But when the policeman saw little adorable Kiki, he asked me, "Is that your dog?" When I answered yes, the policeman made a motion with his finger like your neighbor is nuts.

[CrispyQ]

8. Can you add a recorder that measures decibels?

For added evidence.

Good luck. Neighbor problems are no fun.

[Susan Calvin]

21. I had some neighbor issues, though not as bad.

I've now basically got my house surrounded with cameras. I had to be talked in to getting one just for the front door, and then I found out how cheap they are, relatively. They're not monitored by anybody but me, but I would have the footage if anything came up. They run on an app called Cloud Edge, and you don't have to pay for a thing except the cameras and installation. I've got three cameras each on the sides and the back, and five cameras on the front because I have two just for the front porch. Most of them are solar, but I do have two plug-in cameras at places where there was already electricity. My handyman installed them, and I must say his rates are very reasonable. Between the cameras themselves and the installation, I'm sure it was less than $1,000. After I got the first two for the front porch, I kind of went crazy with my new toys.

[Karadeniz]

9. I am so sorry this is happening to you. He needs to be removed.

[2naSalit]

11. He needs discipline...

And socials skills development.

[Marthe48]

10. A state trooper just stopped by

I had my earphones on, so he had to knock a few times. They caught the kid popping wheelies on the street and impounded the bike. The kid keeps telling police he never rides on the pavement, and that is not true. Anyway, I have a little peace and quiet for now. I hope he doesn't round up his gang again. Hope he doesn't grab one of his guns and come after me.

I am wearing my earphones and probably won't answer the door.

[2naSalit]

12. If you think they might come to the door or bother you in your yard...

Maybe keep some bear spray handy, I keep some by the door more for protection against humans than bears.

[Marthe48]

14. I won't go to the door or open it

I am worried he might bring one of his guns with him. Although, if he kills somebody, maybe the other neighbors will understand where I was coming from.

I will put that on my list of security items.

[MOMFUDSKI]

13. The little creep is

WAY overdue for a spanking

[Marthe48]

15. He acts like he isn't wrong

When the kids were harassing me the other day, and I was taking pictures, he had a goofy grin and was waving for the camera. I was telling them to get away from my house, or I was calling the police, and he indicated his monitor and said he had the cops right there. When the deuty came by and told them to move on, he grinned at the cop and told him to have a nice day. I kind of realized he isn't taking this in. When I heard my son-in-law and him talk last night, and i heard the kid say he'd stop coming around my house if I stopped calling the cops, I realized he is not getting it.

And he is lying to the cops when he tells them he never rides on the street and has permission to ride in the yards. I can't think of a neighbor who would allow him in their yard on a dirt bike. Along with his other traits, he is not respectful.

Thank you for listenng.

[cbabe]

16. You're not alone.

https://www.denverpost.com/2022/08/09/lauren-boebert-neighborhood-disturbance/

Lauren Boebert’s neighbor called deputies after confrontation with congresswoman’s husband

By CONRAD SWANSON | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: August 9, 2022 at 12:40 p.m. | UPDATED: August 9, 2022 at 3:06 p.m.
…

Just before 9 p.m. on Thursday deputies responded to the Boebert’s neighborhood in Silt where they met a neighbor who told them several children had been speeding up and down the road with a dune buggy, according to a brief narrative report filed by deputies.

The documents do not specify how many of the children are part of the Boebert family, though they indicate that at least one of the congresswoman’s sons was involved.

…more…

[Marthe48]

17. I'm not

and at this time, I admire the hell out of people who say enough is enough and work on putting a stop to unlawful behavior. I'd be mortified if my kids or grandkids had behaved like this. Especially harassing a senior citizen. But lying to the cops, ignoring cops' instructions, way out there. I'm all for civil disobedience, but it should be saved for trying to get some changes for the common good, not for personal preferences.

All of the cops have been very nice and understanding. I'm glad that I can say that and I wish every American could have the same experience.

[Wonder Why]

19. You might consider getting a protection order from the courts.

I still remember when I was a teen. There was a 4 y/o brat who lived across he street. His parents worked all day so his grandmother watched him but "he could do no wrong". He'd purposely run over people's feet with his trike and, in general was the mini-terror of the neighborhood. One day, I walked out front and heard a man arguing with grandma. He claimed the kid was throwing rocks at his car and hit it as he drove by. Grandma denied it and called the police. When the officer arrived, he told the man to just go home and not bother the family - until he heard a banging sound. The kid had just thrown a rock and hit the police car as I watched. The officer turned around, walked to the grandmother and loudly told her to get her brat in the house and if he, the officer, had to come out again, he would arrest her. Then he turned to the man and apologized as I clapped.

But teens are not 4 any more. The family needs a lesson in monitoring their kids.

[Marthe48]

24. I have that idea on my list

The two times the kid was in my yard, he caused problems. Throwing rocks at the neighbor's house was one of them. That was years ago and he didn't grow out of it.

I was friends with his grandmother for several years until the beginning of July. She thinks I sent an anonymous text to her about the kid rising around on the lawnmower with guns on board. I think she send a reply to everyone in the neighborhood who had her cell number and sent the same message. I told her I didn't send her a text. If I'm home, I stay in, with blinds closed, earphones on. I was trying so hard to ignore the dirt bike. I wouldn't have seen him with or without guns, because I wasn't looking. But she thinks I sent the text and then lied when I said I that I hadn't. The last text she sent me was her amateur opinion of mental illnesses I have, and that I'm erractic. I'll be the first to tell you I have diagnosed but by my choice, untreated depression and anxiety. So she was way off. I am not a coward, not a liar and I don't, have never needed friends like that :/ I know I was hurt and angry because basically, she doesn't know me or respect me. I was trying to get past that, but then found out the kid isn't leaving the area to go back to school. And his illegal activity started increasing through July. Last Tuesday, I realized the bridges are burned and I'm done.

She has never corrected the boy, as long as she's had custody. Our street goes up and oveer a high hill. They live on the other side of the hill and once he's on this side, she would never believe anything anyone told her about his behavior. We have a mutual friend who has told me things I didn't know, which I was asked not to repeat. Everything I know and have heard, paints a picture of a kid on a wrong-way track. None of the recent events will change him, but right now, I feel less anxious. In spite of knowing that for every neighbor who doesn't approve of his behavior, but tolerated it, he has a pal that will do what he tells them.

Thank you for listening.

[niyad]

22. Many years ago, there was a truly nasty kid (about 13) who terrorized the

neighbors and tormented animals. I was new to the neighborhood, and horrified that all the adults in the neighborhood seemed to walk in fear of the kid and his mother, a rather obnoxious drunk. The father was long gone. One day, as I was out walking, I saw the kid and his friend, and realized they were tormenting a kitten. I rescued it, and explained to the two tormentors that, if I saw or heard of them tormenting another animal, they would receive the same (not that I would actually do such a thing). Then I rousted the mother, and explained that I, unlike the other neighbors, was not intimidated by her and her offspring, and would not hesitate to call in all appropriate authorities, including whatever Child Protective Services was back then. For the time I was there, there were no further incidents.

This was decades before all the nutbars were armed to the teeth, a time when one person saying, "ENOUGH", could have an impact. These days, CPS would probably be called on me for threatening them.

[Scottie Mom]

23. IMO, the kid and gramma need to be afraid of something.

One of my suggestions is to get a camera and one, perhaps, that records audio as well.

Also, see a lawyer. Restraining orders can be filed and won against people who are harassing you. Make a record with the police and if you are comfortable, perhaps a "friendly" letter to gramma -- assuming she is legally in charge of him. I have gotten clients civil harassment restraining orders and have had violators spend some time in county jail because they thought the piece of paper they were served with meant nothing.

Just a suggestion. Judges do like it if you try and settle differences with your neighbors and don't just run to court. Also, an attorney in your area may be able to let you know if there are any noise abatement ordinances. You can get someone, an expert, to come out and set up recordings that are admissible in court with foundational testimony, assuming there is an ordinances, that evidence the noise which is being made is in violation of the ordinance.

Best of luck. Don't let this kid, his gramma, and his pals bully you.

[3825-87867]

25. Mace and Pepper Spray are not legal everywhere...

but one day, back in the stone age, a friend was having some trouble with Hornets under the fenders of his wife's car.. He purchased a can of flying insect killer that shoots 20 feet. Sprayed under the cowling from a distance. Took care of the hornets.

He forgot to put the can away and left it in the car his wife uses for work. She worked afternoons into late evenings. And late at night it's quite dark at this particular mall as management turned off most lighting by 10. As she was leaving work to go to her car later than usual and darker, she noticed a man watching her from a distance, then following her to her car, which was parked a ways away from the mall entrance. She started to move faster and so did he. She got to he car first and locked the door but the man started to break the side window. She reached for the first thing she found. Turned out it was the bug spray her husband used on the hornets.

She aimed the spray and hit the guy full in the face. He dropped like Ali hit him and lay on the pavement screaming and screaming. Just as this happened, mall security drove by. Two big guys got out and after a quick explanation, cuffed the guy and called the police. The local cops had him arrested while transporting him to a hospital.

The local cop told the lady that he was pretty sure what she did wasn't illegal since obviously her husband legally used a commercial product to rid the under parts of her car of hornets and simply forgot to remove the can. Lawyers later concurred.

The stuff can shoot a nice stream 20 feet or so. Great for bugs but may cause problems if it enters the eyes. The police in the small town recommend keeping a can on your car...in case you have a problem with...hornets.

Just a thought. Hornets can be troublesome if they get too close. This can add some protection from a bug attack.

I keep a can in my wife's car. Can't be too careful because all this global warming is causing more and more pests to stay around.

[tavernier]

26. OK first you get some fishing line...

No, that wouldn’t be very nice.

[calimary]

27. Or maybe take some video of them when you observe wrong-doing.

The video won’t lie. And you’ll have it to back up your assertions if you ever need it.

I’m sorry you have to put up with this. And I’m sorry you have to put up with a kid who evidently wasn’t raised responsibly.

[Marthe48]

29. I've seen that episode of Midsomer Murders

[tavernier]

30. Happy to make you smile

[XanaDUer2]

48. Lol me too. Nt

[iluvtennis]

28. Be safe @Marthe48. It's obvious this kid doesn't have any home training or respect for anyone.

My heart goes out to you and sending out positive vibes that you are sage.

[Red Mountain]

31. It won't last forever

at some point the kid will get his hands on a car and then he's off.

The problems he causes will at least be distributed over a wider area.

[Nululu]

32. This is awful. See a lawyer to check out your rights

Elder abuse is more common and law enforcement are more knowledgeable today. Keep a journal and video. We had deputies who hung out in front of our house at times.

A deputy read the evil lowlifes the riot act after she'd come out a few times. They backed off and eventually moved away after divorcing.

It is a horrible stress living under threat like that. Most lawyers have a free consult for seniors.

[viva la]

33. It's hard to overstate how impossible this is for an elderly person alone-

This teen could be the next one to use his guns.
Or maybe he'll just keep terrorizing the neighbors knowing they worry that he'll use his guns.

Some will say, "Make friends with him. Be nice." And yeah, sometimes that can turn a "bad kid" towards the right path. Many adults can look back and remember a kind adult who reached out and made a difference.
Then again, I did that with a neighbor boy, and the next thing I knew, he was stealing from me.

(He still lives on my street, btw, and actually started a painting business with his brother, and seems to be a solid citizen, though he does block the street with his work trucks. I don't begrudge that though! At least he got better, not worse.)

Boys who have guns when they're still in their teens, and enjoy harassing people, well, I wouldn't trust that kindness will keep them calm.

The family won't do anything. At some point, maybe the cops will, but maybe it will be too late.
Sorry you're having to go through this! Can you minimize your contact with them? Let other neighbors take the lead?

[Marthe48]

34. That's too bad for you

It sounds like it worked out. My parents helped some of the young men who worked at their grocery store and most of them did well overall. I believe humans want to make a difference. I was friends with his grandparents, stayed friends with his grandmother until the 1st part of July this year. She might have dropped me, but when I realized how little she knew me, I dropped her, too. Iblocked her cell #, blocked her on facebook, and let a mutual friend and some neighbors know we aren't friends now, and why. I've known the kid since he was very young, but was never around him much. He was rude and careless when I was around him and that doesn't seem different. Grandmother told me he has a disability, and his mother has a disability. The father isn't in the picture.

I hope he isn't a threat. I worry about that. Maybe the police noticed if he's a potential hazard. If anything happens, I was aware that it might be one of the ways this plays out. But better to die on your feet than live on your knees.

[viva la]

35. I hope your other neighbors are supportive

It's just so difficult for you.

[mopinko]

39. been there, sadly.

summer of 2020, when my neighbors got locked out of their jobs, they became trapped rats.
ppl i’d gotten along w for DECADES we being assholes and it was just war.
they were passing the time by blowing things up night and day. drove the whole hood nuts. my chickens not only stopped laying, they started pulling their feathers out and escaping my yard.

there were many 911 calls on both sides. tho, somehow, when they called, i got in trouble. when i called, i got in trouble.
they’re still harassing me w complaints to the city.
couldnt get anyone else to stand up to them, so i did it. and i won, goddamn it.
even on the 4th they dont do that shit any more.

but boy did i pay the price. anxiety has never been my problem. usually it’s depression. man does that shit suck. and my reputation was in tatters for a while there. they convinced ppl i was a drunk.
i’m just the last couple months getting back to anything that feels at all like the before times.
mending relationships still.

best of luck, and take care of yourself. try to do something for your nerves, whether is rx’s or bubble baths or going to the movies. try not to let them trap u in your home.

[Marthe48]

49. Sorry for your experiences

I have no idea what the family is saying about me. I told 2 other neighbor friends what has been happening. I lived in the neighborhood over 30 years, always had good relationships.

[mopinko]

50. well, when u start an urban farm,

u find out who yours friends rly r. funny thing- these guys were onboard day 1, even tho i bought a vacant lot they thought of as their own. there were a couple folks who were rly cheesed that i snatched the property out of a bankruptcy. everybody had a plan for that empty space, it seems. but that’s what u get when you’re the nosy old lady on the block. ya get 1st dibs.