Here we go again... Neighbor kids!
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Here we go again... Neighbor kids!
A developing story out of my neighborhood today: My neighbor's house across the street has been TP'd twice this week. In addition, however, there were eggs and tomato sauce thrown at his windows, doors, and siding. (This wasn't visible to us since there are big trees in their front yard.) Yesterday my son and a classmate-friend of his were playing down the street when the older brother of one of the other neighbor kids told them that HE TP'd that house. (This is a kid that I haven't talked about before because until now there have been no problems.)
I just heard about this "confession" earlier today and, wanting to do the right thing, told my son and his friend that the dad across the street would want to know this. They ran right over to tell him. *me beaming with pride*
The dad came over to talk to me. I said all I know is what the boys told me. Then he told me about the eggs and tomato sauce (or spaghetti sauce, he can't tell.) He said he didn't care about the TP but now it's going to cost him money to clean up the eggs and tomato and repair the paint on the windows. Later this evening he wants my son and his friend to accompany him as witnesses when he goes to this neighbor kid's house (the one who confessed) to talk to the parents. He also said that if he can't get anywhere with them, then he would call the police and get estimates for the repairs to his house.
I told my son's friend to call his dad and let him know what's going on. He ended up having to leave him a message, and we haven't heard back from him.
I am unsure that a confrontation between him and the perpetrator's parents should include my son and his friend. I don't know the best way to handle this. I only intended for them to pass along the information. I didn't anticipate that we would all get involved to this degree.
The only other problem is that the kid who confessed to my son and his friend didn't mention tomato sauce or eggs, just TP.
Opinions would be appreciated. 
I would not let my son go w/the the neighbor father. He should just call the police and let them handle it.
Ditto, Colette. I would not let my child be in the middle of a confrontation!
I also agree. If he feels he can keep this all out of the police's venue, all he needs to say to those parents is, that he has two people who heard their son say he did it. He shouldn't even mention names, much less have the boys with him. If he goes to the police, it will be up to you if you want your son to talk to them. The kid who confessed to the TPing may seek revenge on the ones who told.
I just talked to my son's friend's dad, and he agrees. Let the adults handle it- we don't need to get the 10-year-olds involved.
I have to take off on a couple of errands, so when I get back, I will tell the dad across the street that the kids won't be going with him, but we will be here if there are any questions.
I thought of that, too Bea. I don't want my son to get too involved because who knows what kind of revenge the kid will do. But, sometimes that's the price of doing the right thing.
I wouldn't allow my child over there either..
What you are looking at/dealing with is a case of hear say.. And unless the other child admits to doing it, the police can't make the childs parents repair anything... It could possibly cause a huge conflict and you have to way the out come on your child in all this.. This kid admitted it but with out physical proof or a confession they have nothing to charge him with... And kids are known to lie.. So he could have lied about his involvement thinking it would make him look cool, (only mentioning the TP) or if he was involved it is likely he will deny it to the adults.. To me, with out sound evidence it isn't worth taking a chance on revenge against my child.. I agree the adults should address this, with out involving the children.. At least until the police are involved. Then I would allow the child to tell the police officer what he was told.. But I truly don't think there is anything the police can do..
Our house was trashed (ballogna, eggs, pumpkin guts).. I knew who did it as they were the only trouble makers in the area.. I confronted them and they admitted it was one of them but they blamed each other and none admitted their own involvement. I called the police. They looked at my house and went to the kids house and the kids denied they did it and I had no physical proof they did it and I turned around and had to clean up the mess myself and they were told that "if" they had done it not to do it again... GRRR... They could have proven it by going through their trash.. BUT you have to have a court order to do so... And it was a bit of clean up and so not worth fighting it...
Ok, the neighbor sounds weird. A grown man needs two 10 yo kids to back him up? Anybody else think that is weird? No way would I let my kids go back up a grown man. The kids did the right thing telling the neighbor their involvment should be done. Good Luck.
So, do tell, what happened?
As it turned out, the neighbor guy never came over. Then later on yesterday evening, I saw the alleged perpetrator and a friend ride up his driveway on their bikes. I haven't talked to him yet, but I am assuming he went there all by himself to deal with the situation.
*whew*
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