Problem with neighbours' kids from social housing?

Question

Hi there,
We are currently having problems with kids from this one household, there are about 7 kids plus parents living at this address. The kids there are just plain rude and they won't stop playing infront of our house and making rude gestures, throwing sweet wrappers, playing ball games (which wrecks most of my lovely flowers!) and swear infront of any passer by!

What can we do? We've spoken to their parents, but they are just too busy to care.

ah yes, they choose to play and destroy when we are out at work :( so it's unlikely I am going to catch them. Usually we come back early from work, then we see them doing their *stuff*

Answer 1

I've had neighbors like this before. It can be quite draining to try to think of ways to get stuff like this to stop. However, if they are coming onto your property then they're trespassing and you CAN get law enforcement involved if you choose. Keep in mind however that law enforcement can't be there to protect you against retaliation.

Try to get some physical evidence of the activity that you find objectionable (video, audio, photos, etc.) and note down occurrences with date, time, and what's going on. Take the information to the police (go to them, don't call them to come to you, that's usually a mistake because whoever is destroying your property and bothering you will usually disappear at the first sign of the cops and they won't just take your word for it). Show the police your evidence and ask them for help, and see what they say.

I did have some success calling law enforcement recently for this type of problem. The deputy went and spoke to the kids' parents at their home, and since the parents are low lifes they weren't too eager to have the cops back there-- so they started watching the kids more and there have been a lot fewer disturbances.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Funnily enough I recently experienced the same problem with a group of teenagers and children outside of my property. If you know the house number and name of the road on which this family lives, then you can report their anti-social behaviour.

I'm not sure where you live, but all city council websites have an anti-social behaviour web page. I'd suggest that you start by contacting your local council, and if this family are council tenants, then you can ask for your local authority to send a letter to the parents. If their behaviour continues, then keep on going back to the council. I know that my council are actively trying to stamp out anti social behaviour, so you'll probably get a sympathetic response.

Most districts also have a department dedicated to anti social behaviour. The telephone number for the Birmingham Office is 0121 303 7048. If you contact them on that number, I'm sure that they would be able to give you a local number.

These kids are obviously affecting your quality of life, and their behaviour will only get worse if they're allowed to get away with being a nuisance. Explain to the council that you have already spoken to the parents, and they're not interested. It might be that your neighbours receive a visit from the council, which would come as a bit of a shock.

If the family are not council tennants, then the council should be able to provide advice as to whom to contact instead. Whether it be a private landlord or a housing association.

Best of luck,

Michelle

Answer 3

Don't feel guilty it's really not your problem, it's not snowing or raining. Sounds like it's a beautiful day outside. If she talked to her mom then the mom knows she is locked out. If the mom have called you and asked you to let her into your house then that would be different, but she didn't. Her mom is fine with what is going on. And if your husband is really sick then it's good not to give it to any kids.

Answer 4

put a sandbox and some sand toys, a swingset and slide, and a bucket of sidewalk chalk for them to amuse themselves with. tell the kids that you welcome them playing in your yard, but some "bad kids" have been wrecking things like your flowers. Then ask them if they could "watch over" your yard and make sure that no one is damaging the stuff that you care about. Children will live up to our expectations of them - or down to them. These poor kids have probably never had an adult take the time to teach them how to behave. Their parents obviously cant be bothered, and it isn't bugging them, so looks like you will have to do it. I once had a bunch of "bad kids" from down the street help me plant my flowers in the spring. It kept them busy for a few hours and they didn't want to even step on the flowers after that.

Answer 5

THIS IS A TOUGH ONE, but it has happened to me. I thought long and hard on how to resolve it and eventually i did... This is how i did it, first thing was i slowly started being friendly as i could with the kids (hard i know) but i bit my lip and lowered myself to their way of thinking and after a few weeks the kids started to show me some respect and now 1 year later the kids all think i am cool and now they look out for me in the neighbourhood , ie if any other trouble makers come around i never get any hassle. this may not be an option for you but i found befriending them even when you really cant stand the sight of them helped tremendously. now we have a happy home, regards Russell

Answer 6

You could call the police. Get their advice. They can't damage your property without having to pay for that damage. Once you have a police report deliver a bill (certified mail)for your flowers and cleanup. If they don't pay then you can sue. Make sure to get receipts for replacing your flowers and to take pictures of the damage. If the parents see that their kids are going to cost them money, they will make sure that the kids stay away from your yard. Hope everything works out for you.

Answer 7

The police, environmental health and the welfare, if the parents can't be bothered with their little darlings then any of the 3 mention will be, its not right or fair that their parents are allowing this behaviour off their children towards neighbours, so get yourself some advice and show the brats parents your not going to put up with their kids or behaviour either, works both ways.

Answer 8

Join the club, a family of five moved in underneath me a week ago and there are only 2 people allowed in the flat. It has been non-stop dance music ever since. I have started noting down times when the music goes on and off but I may have to start recording their ridiculous noise if it carries on for much longer.

Answer 9

My sister has the same problem and since they confronted them they have sprayed her house with paint and wrote awful names. The best thing that you can do is log down everything they do and take witnesses names etc... if not constantly phone the police its really hard especially when the parents won't do anything Id give me kids a right good whack if they was upsetting people like this. I'm afraid its the world that we live in kids get away with murder blame our government!!!

Answer 10

Talk to the parents first.

Tell them that you understand they aren't very good a rising their kids and that you sympathise with their poverty, but would still rather live in a peaceful community not full of poorly raised children.

If that fails charge the parent for the flowers and report them for criminal damage.

If it continues, get a big dog, train it to mall small children, and let it loose, have it put down before they can report you and offer your condolences.