The neighborhood kids are at it again. What can be done?

Question

The kids terrorize my daughter. I don't let her play with them or speak to them. Now I have found out they are coming into my back yard while she is out side playing and calling her names. The parents won't do anything. They have also started playing this game they call ding dong ditch. They ring the door bell and take off. This happened 5 times last night and my daughter wasn't even home. Today they have done it twice. I'm thinking about talking to the cops but i doubt that will do any good since the kids are only 10 and 6 yrs old. Any advice?? I'm stressed out and my daughter is sad.

Answer 1

just stand by the door when there about to ding dong ditch and scare them

Answer 2

call the cops

Answer 3

The parents won't do anything? Well, they're not leaving you much choice. You might try putting up a no trespassing sign so they will know you're serious. If they still don't cooperate, do what you have to do in order to get the peace that you have a right to in your own home.

Answer 4

I've had this happen to me once. I walked over to the kids house and told their parents what was happening and it stopped. You say their parents won't do anything. Have you tried talking to them -- NICELY. Don't cry. Don't act mad. Smile a "HOW CHILDREN WILL BE CHILDREN" sort of smile and let them know it's getting rather bothersome. But if you act mad or insistent, they will not like you and not do anything about it. Trust me. The best way is to be nice to the parents and not call their children brats or anything. I told the parents It was the other parents' kids who were doing it and asked them if they would keep an eye out for me so that I could catch the kids doing it (even though I knew it was there kids doing it). Those parents then went and told their kids it sure had not better be them.

But don't call the cops whatever you do. Those kids will ramp up their hatred of your kid and their parents will really dislike you. It will be very hard to live in the same neighborhood. Remember, their just kids. If they can have fun, you can have fun. I'd snake a water hose through my backdoor and wait for them to come and ring the door bell. Then I'd soak'em!!! "Oops, I was washing windows and your kid got in the way. hahahhaa!" and I'd be sure to laugh a simple "gotcha" laugh so no feelings would be hurt. "I wash the inside of my windows with a water hose every day," I'd tell the kids and their parents to let them know you're ready for them. Remember, you're an adult. Keep it light hearted as hurtful as it is to you. These kids will one day become friends of your daughters. You might even try to invite them over to play. Catch them at the door and say, "good, I was just coming over to see if you and your brother would like to go to the movie with me and my daughter (or come over for ice cream, or to swim, etc...) good luck. I gotta go now, someone just rang my door bell. What!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Call the cops if you've already spoken to the parents about it. The kids are harassing you and your daughter. The police will maybe instill a little fear into them if nothing else.

Don't try to confront the kids on your own as that can be made to seem as though you are harassing them.

Personally I would love to smack those kids upside the head, but this isn't the 1950's.

Answer 6

Call the cops when they start the door bell thing and tell them you think you have a prowler.  That might scare the kids into backing off.

Answer 7

Have you ever thought about TALKING TO THEM YOURSELF?

What's the matter, are you scared of some little p*****n punks? If they come down in your backyard, just say "beat it, kids!"

Answer 8

Security gear, report them to the police. That counts as harassment which is against the law. If the parents won't do any thing give them one more chance then call the cops.

Answer 9

Call the cops and explain the situation, call the non emergency number instead of dispatch. This happened to us when i worked at a restaurant in a busy neighborhood. We had a fenced-in patio outside and the kids that lived two houses down threw rocks the first time, and when the police came, they talked to the parents and told them that they (parents) would be charged if it happened again. Well, a week later they threw a f***ing FIRECRACKER that hit a disabled customer. and burned her leg. The parent was charged as if she had done the things herself because she pretty much let this 11 year old and 8 year old run around and do whatever they wanted. So call the cops, they will do something about the parents. You shouldn't have to put up with that load of c**p.

Answer 10

I say u call the cops on them and tell them whats going on its the best u can do for your daughter and yourself if there parents dont listen then maybe they will listen to the cops

Answer 11

First talk to their parents.  If nothing works or if the parents get hostile then call the cops and have the cops talk to the parents and the kids.

Good luck~

Answer 12

mmmmmhmmm! you have even more legitimate reasons to be calling the police now. the police have to be able to do something, call them as soon as possible. I'm sure they can fine the parents or something like that if it keeps happening and you keep calling.

Answer 13

I would call the police...they are coming onto your property and harrasing you and your daughter...and if their parents don't care then it won't stop.

However, I would threaten to call the police before you actually do it, that might be enough to keep them away. If they continue to come though, then yeah, call the cops.

Answer 14

There were some idiotic preteens that were rude to my grandmother once (she is 75 years old and has been a Christian her entire life) They even mooned her. I walked out on the porch with my husband and he said "Be a man now and show your ***" they ran away but not before I called the cops...they came to her door two days later with a bouquet of roses and a sincere apology.

Answer 15

talk to their parents if they dont do anything then you can somehow keep them from getting in your backyard but if you cant then tell her if they come over to come get you and you need to say they cant come over to your house anymore.

and if that doesnt work and they play ding dong ditch at night again and keep doing it repeatedly you can call the cops and you can tell them who it is and where they live and the cops will go to their house and talk to the kids

hope i helped and i hope that they stop being mean to your daughter and i am truly sorry they are making her sad!

Answer 16

Go out and buy a hunting camera. it's a camera that will take pictures of any movement. the camera will take a picture when they ring your door bell. You now have proof to show the police and get those little brats in a heap of trouble. The cameras are no more then $30.00.

I would call the police and tell them that your daughter can not go outside and play in her own yard because she is being harassed and bullied by these kids that come into your back yard. Oh, better yet, put a no trespassing sign in the front and back. if they trespass, they can be in big trouble.

If you feel uncomfortable to speak to the parents, then tell the police that and they will for you. You have to do something about it thou, other wise it will get worse.

Answer 17

I'd contact the police.  They are trespassing to say the least.  Maybe they will stop if they get a visit from the cops.

Answer 18

This is a problem that can be dealt with legally.  Talk to the parents, explain to them that the next time this happens you will take action.  

Also tell your daughter this is not a personal attack towards her directly.  They know (im sorry) that your daughter will not do anything about it.  Therefore they keep antagonizing her.

Regards,

Dane

Answer 19

It doesn't matter their age..their parents are responsible....call the police,,,maybe they can put the fear of God into them!

Answer 20

I would say call the police, maybe a good talking to from officer not so friendly will scare them in to at least staying off your property, you could get not trespassing signs so that if they do come on to your property it would be illegal. If that doesn't help you could be a little more extream and take them to small clams court for any property damage they might have caused and for mental crulty to your daughter. I also think you should teach your daughter that they are only picking on her because they are rude, and that they know it bothers her. That if she tries, as hard as it might be not to let it get to her they might give up and leave her alone.

best of luck no one should have to deal with bullies and that is what these kids are, how horriable the parents have done nothing to stop it.

Answer 21

Have you actually talked to the kids parents? If they are harrassing you and your kid, put up a no tresspassing sign and a video camera to catch them in the act. Then call the cops and the parents.

Answer 22

I think there is a problem, If the person if older, they might have a chance to join the gangsters(so that might be a bad thing). I know the parents are bad, but maybe you should talk to the cops.

Answer 23

confront the kids yourself - but first incase of police reaction from there parents phone the police your self first.

Answer 24

Get her a big dog to play with in the backyard.

Answer 25

Its a tough one! But whatever you do try your hardest to make sure they dont upset your daughter! always try keep her happy and help take her mind of it, take her somewhere she can make good friends, and hang out with them! You sound like a good mum for being so worried about this so iam sure you try your best to keep her happy anyway! Personally, i would take my husband round to every one of them kids houses and explain to their parents how there kids are making your daughter sad! Its technically bullying! and you should have a stern word with everyone of them and let them know you wont put up with it anymore.

depending what area you live in, or if they are tenant of privatley rented houses you can put in a complaint. and if it doesnt stop it will be breaching the tenancy agreement and they will be abl to be thrown out. but its very hard to tell wether the landlord would do that because nowadays people are so selfish they only care for how it will affect them!

i really hope you get this sorted out however you do it

good luck!! x x

i know this sounds a bit mad lol! but i knew someone who put barbed wire, and the sticking out nails on the other side of their fence to stop people climbing over! dunno about the nails, bit over the top. but their may be something you can do to keep them away x x

Answer 26

wow!! talk to them yourself if you are scared of these kids you have a problem.



Or you can call the cops hun sorry im having a mood swing im pregnant=]

Answer 27

The kids may only be 6-10, but their parents are adults -- and liable.  A call to the cops is long overdue.

If the neighborhood is really this psycho, you should seriously consider moving.  Sometimes that's the only safe and sane solution.

Answer 28

Pet dog or siberian tiger. Water pistol loaded with ice. Cameras.

Answer 29

I know you don't want to call the cops, but that's pobably the best thing to do in this situation, since the parents are unresponsive.

The cops may be reluctant to arrest the little brats, but they will talk to the parents, and hopefully scare the pants off of them. And if you complain about the trespassing, they can probably take some action if they ever do it again.

It's really sad that parents let their kids do this kind of stuff. You might want to try getting your daughter into some kind of organized afterschool activities (dance, martial arts, girl scouts, etc.) where she can make friends and build self-esteem to counteract the effect that the neighborhood kids seem to be having on her. Good luck!

Answer 30

You should really consider calling cops, next time it happens go for it. See what the cops have to say, take whatever they have to say in. If none of this is helping, and if it gets out of hand.. think about moving.