Bad cops, misunderstood kids.
We've had some vandalism in the neighborhood for about a week now. Car keying, a little theft, and some random damage.
Two days ago, they got me and a neighbor two doors down. They keyed his Jeep Grand Cherokee, broke his windshield and stole some things from inside the Jeep.
Then, they broke out the back windshield of Sandy's car parked in the driveway, and snooped around inside. Nothing there to steal.
Both Rick and I called the police and reported the crime. A patrolman came out and took the report and handed it over to the detectives. He said they would call us later.
Last night, 4 doors up the street, a neighbor saw someone in his car, and called the police. They arrested the kid (15 years old and living one block over) and took him in. They questioned him and got a confession to all of the damage that's been going on for the last week, and actually a lot of stuff over the last year. Seems like we have our own little Al Capone here.
This afternoon, I got a call from the boy's father. He wants to pay for the damage if I'll drop the charges. I told him I would think it over and call him back. He did the high pressure sell of either take the deal or he's not paying.
Talked to the detective tonight, and told him what I was told. He said he had already had a few calls from folks the father had already contacted and knew what was going on.
I asked him what he wanted to do. He said he understood us wanting payment for our damage, and he wouldn't hold it against anyone who took dad up on his deal.
I told him I thought dad's lack of holding the boy accountable was part of the problem, and I was perfectly happy replacing the rear windshield with insurance and pressing charges. He said he was willing to pursue charges because it would be on a juvenile record and would be sealed later anyway.
Now, I'm all for giving a kid a break, except when mommy and daddy try to strong arm people to protect a budding criminal. In fact, I think that is how full fledged thieves get started.
I called pop tonight and told him,
(1) I'm pressing charges.
(2) I'm going to file a civil suit against Junior after he is convicted for my damages.
(3) I'm going to encourage all of the other neighbors to do the same.
Pop is PO'ed! Went into a full rant on the phone of how I was going to ruin the kids life. I told him I think he ruined the kid's life by not teaching the difference between right and wrong, and not holding him accountable for his actions.
Rick, the guy who owns the Jeep is on board. Byron, the guy who saw him in the act is on board. I'll contact the others I know of over the weekend.
I hate to punish a first time offender if things can be worked out, but this kid has a history, and pop isn't teaching him anything by buying everyone off. Besides, the cops did their job, and it just wouldn't be right to cut their legs out from under them.
We'll see what comes of it.
Two days ago, they got me and a neighbor two doors down. They keyed his Jeep Grand Cherokee, broke his windshield and stole some things from inside the Jeep.
Then, they broke out the back windshield of Sandy's car parked in the driveway, and snooped around inside. Nothing there to steal.
Both Rick and I called the police and reported the crime. A patrolman came out and took the report and handed it over to the detectives. He said they would call us later.
Last night, 4 doors up the street, a neighbor saw someone in his car, and called the police. They arrested the kid (15 years old and living one block over) and took him in. They questioned him and got a confession to all of the damage that's been going on for the last week, and actually a lot of stuff over the last year. Seems like we have our own little Al Capone here.
This afternoon, I got a call from the boy's father. He wants to pay for the damage if I'll drop the charges. I told him I would think it over and call him back. He did the high pressure sell of either take the deal or he's not paying.
Talked to the detective tonight, and told him what I was told. He said he had already had a few calls from folks the father had already contacted and knew what was going on.
I asked him what he wanted to do. He said he understood us wanting payment for our damage, and he wouldn't hold it against anyone who took dad up on his deal.
I told him I thought dad's lack of holding the boy accountable was part of the problem, and I was perfectly happy replacing the rear windshield with insurance and pressing charges. He said he was willing to pursue charges because it would be on a juvenile record and would be sealed later anyway.
Now, I'm all for giving a kid a break, except when mommy and daddy try to strong arm people to protect a budding criminal. In fact, I think that is how full fledged thieves get started.
I called pop tonight and told him,
(1) I'm pressing charges.
(2) I'm going to file a civil suit against Junior after he is convicted for my damages.
(3) I'm going to encourage all of the other neighbors to do the same.
Pop is PO'ed! Went into a full rant on the phone of how I was going to ruin the kids life. I told him I think he ruined the kid's life by not teaching the difference between right and wrong, and not holding him accountable for his actions.
Rick, the guy who owns the Jeep is on board. Byron, the guy who saw him in the act is on board. I'll contact the others I know of over the weekend.
I hate to punish a first time offender if things can be worked out, but this kid has a history, and pop isn't teaching him anything by buying everyone off. Besides, the cops did their job, and it just wouldn't be right to cut their legs out from under them.
We'll see what comes of it.
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I agree with you. If it was something like egging a house, smashing mailboxes, typical juvenile hijinks, I would say let it go with damages paid but this is pretty serious. Especially if this is not his first time. Lord knows I used to do some pretty stupid stuff in my youth but nothing that serious. 0 -
Danny...have you had a chance to talk to the kid himself??? Perhaps the kid is a little different than his father and would be greatful for a second chance.?.? Seems to me that you'd almost have to speak with the kid directly to come to any real decision on the matter.?.? 0 -
You did the right thing.
Doug0 -
I don't think you're doing the wrong thing at all.
I have a question: if Pop had called you up and said: "Listen, my kid screwed up and I'm going to see to it that he pays you for damages out of his own pocket," would you react differently?
Of course pop could make this call and pay you out of pocket himself (you'd probably never know).
What if pop made kid do chores around your house/yard until he'd worked off the debt?
Again, it sounds like this kid needs a little more guidance than he's getting at home, but I'm interested in your answers to the 'what-ifs' I've posted above.0 -
Danny,
I think your doing the right thing, daddy bailed him out before, and did not work, maybe a few several months of community service might do him some good, I doubt any kind of lock up would.
Don0 -
quote:Originally posted by ECC
Danny...have you had a chance to talk to the kid himself??? Perhaps the kid is a little different than his father and would be greatful for a second chance.?.? Seems to me that you'd almost have to speak with the kid directly to come to any real decision on the matter.?.?
No I haven't and don't know him, but those in the neighborhood who do say he's an arogant little bully who like to treat younger kids bad and shoot the bird to adults he doesn't like. I think he's a real chip off the old block from what I've heard, and besides, pop was trying to be real intimidating when he told be I only had one chance to get paid, and that was to accept his offer.
I think the kid is a punk, and the dad is a punk, and I'm not going to be told by a criminal how I have to settle up or loose.
Heck man! I'm way too old to be talked down too! Especially when I'm the victom!0 -
quote:Originally posted by spurgemastur
I don't think you're doing the wrong thing at all.
I have a question: if Pop had called you up and said: "Listen, my kid screwed up and I'm going to see to it that he pays you for damages out of his own pocket," would you react differently?
Yes, as long as the police didn't think I was cutting their legs out from under them. Once I call them, I feel like it's my duty to follow through after they worked on the case for my benefit.0 -
[8D]dheff-you done the RIGHT thing--
--His old man probably would have severly punished him,you know, no tv for two weeks and he could only use MOMs car during that time !!!
--[^][^]--JIMBO0 -
shoot him 0 -
Best to try and teach him a lesson now before he does worse when he gets older. You did the right thing. 0 -
Generally the only way this type of activity will stop is for the kid to go through the whole process. Dad's trying to shortstop the process and it isn't going to help the kid in the long run.
If the kid is prosecuted and then turns his life around, then his record is sealed and there is no harm done, only good. If the Dad buys the kid out of this one it will just teach him he can get away with destroying and stealing other persons property, and he will escalate to the next level.0 -
First, I think you are doing the right thing, especially since it sounds like this was pretty wide spread and not a couple of isolated incidents. Second, if three of you are willing to press charges then it seems to me the boy's father has no incentive to payoff any of the other victims, so they are probably onboard by default, unless they are afraid to press charges. 0 -
I would have been open to discussion if the jerk had not of tried to strong arm me. He has no clue how mad he made me.[:(!] 0 -
I don't have to add anymore. Your right-on, on this one. The kid has to learn. 0 -
If i Smashed mail boxes, Egged houses, STOLE, Broke windows, ANYTHING on purpose, I guarantee dad would have my butt, id be paying them back ten fold, cleaning up for them, and apologize in the LOCAL NEWSPAPER SIGNING MY NAME about what I did.
Thats just the way I think dad would react though, and if my kid ever does anything that stupid, Id have him do exactly what I just said.
Thieving will get you nowhere in life. Kid deserves what he got, Ive never been in trouble with the law (Exception of a few late-nighters .. but i was outside my own house haha)0 -
you are doing the right thing no doubt in my mind and if his dad hates you so be it you will have done more to straighten the kid up than his dad ever has. even if it does screw up the rest of his life. i would do the same thing. let insurance fix the dmage and loss of property if you cant get that back. and tell his pop dont worry about his offer of money he will need it to get a lawyer 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Old-Colts
First, I think you are doing the right thing, especially since it sounds like this was pretty wide spread and not a couple of isolated incidents. Second, if three of you are willing to press charges then it seems to me the boy's father has no incentive to payoff any of the other victims, so they are probably onboard by default, unless they are afraid to press charges.
if he tries to intimidate you can just tack on the charges0 -
I agree, your doing the right thing... hold your position and dont waver.
That crap about "if you drop the charges I will pay for the damages" is a line of crap. He has to pay for the damages anyway. The kid is a minor so the parents are responsible.
You may not have to sue civily for restitution. Just ask the judge via the prosecutor that restitution be made as part of the punishment. It can be ordered by the judge which would save you a lot of trouble.
Where is the bad cops part?????0 -
Take the little meanie to court and get everything he's worth out of him. Make his parents pay too. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Laredo Lefty
You may not have to sue civily for restitution. Just ask the judge via the prosecutor that restitution be made as part of the punishment. It can be ordered by the judge which would save you a lot of trouble.
+10 -
The kid isn't a "first time offender", this is just the first time (that you know of) that he got caught. Big difference.
Also, any money the insurance company(s) spent on claims, THEY will (or should) go after the money they had to caugh up.
My dad taught me 1 very important thing, and that was to "think about the consiquences of what your about to do, before you do it".0 -
Also, in some states the juvenile records are no longer sealed. They can be opened and used if junior turns 18 and continues to be a problem.
Bode
P.S. Also, from an LEO perspective, you did the right thing.0 -
Don't back up, Danny. If daddy is able to buy him out of this one, the next one will be worse. 0 -
Screw that enabling, punk-ass dad.
But put your cars in the garage from now on.
Or build a garage if you don't have one.
Same thing happened to me a few years back. I got my tires slashed and the cops quickly rounded up the culprits. Their Mom didn't have the money to pay for the damages, but the courts made sure we got a monthly check from the little screwhead until we were paid off.0 -
You are 100% in the right. With the father's attitude, that justifies it further.
If I had done that, my father would have beat the syrup out of me, dragged me over by the hair, made me work for free for the guy for a year, and insisted the guy press charges as well.
Oh - and I would have been grounded until I moved out.
my father was kind of an ass...0 -
I'll chime in from two viewpoints:
VIEWPOINT ONE: Growing up in my house
My dad would have made sure I spent the night in jail to learn a lesson. He would not have bailed me out, and he would not have paid for the damages. He would have said to me that this was completely unacceptable behavior and that since I landed myself in jail, I could find my way out of jail. You're doing the right thing.
VIEWPOINT TWO: Insurance adjuster
I can't tell you the number of people at fault in an accident that have told people, "Don't call the cops, I'll pay for it" and then welched on the debt. It then gets turned into the insurance company, the insurance company gets mad because the cops weren't called to the scene, turns out the guys typically don't have insurance or a license and shouldn't be on the road in the first place.
You're asking to get screwed if you allow the perp's father to pay for damages. File charges. Then sue him.
You're doing the right thing from both perspectives.
One of two things will happen -- this kid will learn a valuable lesson and never do something stupid like this again, or he'll be in and out of jail for the rest of his life.
Oh yeah, I'd be "ammo-ing up" if I were you. You never know what vengeful people will do.0 -
Similar thing happened to me shortly after we moved to this lovely garden spot we call home, group of punks vandalizing neighborhood cars, put a 2 x 4 through my rear window and out the rear passengers side window, varous other scratches and dings.
Can't stand a vandal, only thing worse is one with a bully for a parent. Sounds like a budding sociopath.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Laredo Lefty
You may not have to sue civily for restitution. Just ask the judge via the prosecutor that restitution be made as part of the punishment. It can be ordered by the judge which would save you a lot of trouble.
Guess who will be on the hook with the kid in court? Yep. Dad!
Ask the County Attorney for restitution as part of his punishment/probation as Laredo said above.
Buying these kids out of trouble only adds to the problem.0 -
I'm confused. I understand why other cops agree with me, 'cause we've been there done that before.
But when an attorney agrees with me, that's just confusing, and disturbs me at so many levels.
I think it time for my nap.0 -
Correct decision. What is described is a series of crimes, not an isolated instance of "youthful misbehavior".
The kid is a thief and a s hitbird and deserves to be charged and punished, period. It isn't about dad, it is about the criminal actions of the s hitbird.0
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