Am I getting too grumpy in my old age?

[YellowSubmarine]

Earlier today I was in the bathroom when there was a sudden loud bang that sounded like something hit my house. I ran(hobbled) out to check. I saw two kids running away from my house toward another house. At that house they tried to open the front door pulling on it hard then rang the door bell and ran off. I then checked my door and saw it was partially open. The loud bang was my glass storm door slamming very hard against the side of the house. Luckily the glass didn't shatter and the siding was not cracked. I walked out to the street to the corner and watched where the kids went. Then I walked down there. I didn't see any adults, just several young kids running around unsupervised. I didn't want to go onto their property without consent so I left. I called the police non emergency number and told them what happened. An officer was at my house within 10 minutes, took my statement, and went and talked to the people where the kids went. Ten minutes later two adults came walking up to my house with the two kids that did this and had the kids apologize for "ding dong ditching me". I accepted and thanked them for apologizing. Opening the door of strangers in not ding dong ditch. It is a very dangerous thing to do. I figured I had to do something so this kind of thing doesn't continue all summer and I couldn't find an adult at the house so I called the police. Was that overkill or reasonable?

It's good you took your time and perhaps helped these kids out with more parental monitoring. You did good.

 

[Amethyst]

A few years back, some tweens were playing a "game" near the entrance to our development. It's a two lane in road (2 in, 2 out, separated with a small median). About 100 feet from the entrance, they'd placed a large stuffed toy tiger in the road. Driving up to it, first you'd think it was an injured animal, then perhaps a toy that some kid had let fly out the window or something. Cars would stop to pick it up and move it out of the way, or swerve around it, etc. IE, an accident was a possible outcome at some point.

The "kids" thought this was funny, and were hiding in a notch on the fence that lines the street, behind a utility box. They'd put the animal back out once the car drove off.

I fell for it the first time, pulling over and moving it, didn't see the kids. The 2nd time a week or so later I realized....this is a prank. I drove past, u-turned, and spotted the kids. This time I went back, pulled over, got the toy, and went up and yelled at them a good bit. That they were going to cause an accident, etc. They pretended to look remorseful. I took the toy with me when I left.

I waited as well and saw them slinking off home, laughing. So I took photos of them. We have a community patrol sheriff. I went and showed him the pics and explained the whole thing. He knew who they were and told me he'd speak with their families. I did not want to have them come to my house and know where I lived (big enough neighborhood that unless they decided to stalk me, they didn't know who I was). Teenagers at that age mostly outgrow the pranks, but a very small number can go much worse.

The type of parents who'd raise kids like that, would accuse you of stealing the toy. Such people remind of dog owners who say "Oh, he never does that" when the dog gets aggressive or bites. My friend was bitten and the owner stated that the dog "smells your fear," like the friend did something wrong.

 

[Aerides]

The type of parents who'd raise kids like that, would accuse you of stealing the toy. Such people remind of dog owners who say "Oh, he never does that" when the dog gets aggressive or bites. My friend was bitten and the owner stated that the dog "smells your fear," like the friend did something wrong.

No one knew I took it that I know of, besides, they left it in the road. I tossed it away years ago. Decent parents can easily end up with bratty 12 year old boys.

 

[street]

You did the right thing. Letting the law take care of it is always the best thing. A paper trail to boot.

 

[jollystomper]

You did the right thing.

Kids do not understand how dangerous this game can be. Last month a teen was killed playing this game because the owner claimed he thought someone was breaking in and shot at them (the owner has charges filed against him). There have been other deaths as well.

 

[FindingForward]

You did the right thing.

Kids do not understand how dangerous this game can be. Last month a teen was killed playing this game because the owner claimed he thought someone was breaking in and shot at them (the owner has charges filed against him). There have been other deaths as well.

The teen busted thru their door and the homeowner is being charged? If someone busted thru my door I'd be terrified and seek to defend myself asap. Was he/she just supposed to wait or yell stop and hope the intruder obeys? I may be misunderstanding but it sounds like self-defense?

 

[Amethyst]

The teen busted thru their door and the homeowner is being charged? If someone busted thru my door I'd be terrified and seek to defend myself asap. Was he/she just supposed to wait or yell stop and hope the intruder obeys? I may be misunderstanding but it sounds like self-defense?

The door may not have been broken, only opened. Still, as I said before, that's skating the edge of breaking and entering and can be scary. In a heavily pro-gun area, that could well get a person shot, and possibly charges dismissed against the shooter. Parents, warn your kids!

 

[Badger]

The teen busted thru their door and the homeowner is being charged? If someone busted thru my door I'd be terrified and seek to defend myself asap. Was he/she just supposed to wait or yell stop and hope the intruder obeys? I may be misunderstanding but it sounds like self-defense?

Florida has a Stand Your Ground law that includes Presumption of Fear if a person enters your home or car. My wife suggested to use a flare gun. Ouch!

 

[TickTock]

I lived in Texas (mumble, mumble) decades ago. More than one person there back then told me that their standard home shotgun load was: rock salt, birdshot, buckshot, slug, slug.

 

[aja8888]

I lived in Texas (mumble, mumble) decades ago. More than one person there back then told me that their standard home shotgun load was: rock salt, birdshot, buckshot, slug, slug.

You only have one life to live so it makes good sense to protect it at all times. I love The Great State of Texas.

 

[bcbix001]

Must live in a decent area if the police were willing to get involved when there was no bloodshed.