Neighborhood kids stole our batteries today.

[-FLEX-]

So if you remember my other thread about the kids and running our cars, this is just blatant compared to that.

My son and I walked over to the football field and running track near our complex to run our cars so we wouldn't have to deal with the kids again.

They saw us walking with ours cars in hand and started hooting and hollering and followed us over there. I put the spare batteries down on the ground while we ran the cars and at some point while we weren't paying attention they snuck over and grabbed them and took them home.

So I marched over to their house and demanded they give them back. They had hid them in their mailbox.

I just kinda yelled at them and said "That's not cool; stealing from your neighbors."

Not a single apology and no parents around either.

Wow. Just wow.

[pavmentsurfer]

I would be going BACK over there when the parents ARE home and explaining the situation. My guess is parents who raise kids who would do this probably aren't going to care much but at least youve done your part and told them whats happening. Heck, these days I think it might be better to tell the grandparents... so they can deal with it old school.

That is just an absolutely discussing thing to do though. I still blame the parents.

[O.G.]

Do you live in a bad neighborhood or are the just a bunch of bad apples. You really need to get the police involved before it escalates.

Sent from the cockpit of my Jeep Wrangler

[NewbieToTraxxas]

Yes GO BACK when their parents are home and bring a police escort. Let them know how much the batteries cost when you lay down the law with your handy policeman there for support and proof of the seriousness of the matter. Also just a tip, but get in your car and drive there next time. That way the kids will think you are going very far.

[bazookamaxx]

Get a pitbull

[kwe]

Get a pitbull

haha. good one.

Seriously though, I really feel bad for you bro. how old are these kids? 8, 10, 12, 16?

[-FLEX-]

Actually it is a very nice quiet neighborhood.

We have been here over 6 years and have never locked the garage and have never had any issues. In the winter we leave our amber colored beverages on the front porch to keep them cold and not a single can has ever gone missing.

This family is new to the neighborhood and the parents just let the 3 boys run wild. Zero supervision. I would guess their ages to be between 5 and 9.

It was the oldest boy that took the batteries and hid them.

[O.G.]

How frustrating. The PoPo is the only way to go.

Sent from the cockpit of my Jeep Wrangler

[minirevobasher]

Wow. Parents these days. Get the police involved. That's BS.

[Greenskeeper]

Police, if they do it again. Maybe home owners association too!


Peace,
Story

[Double G]

Depending on the police agency, the officer may just advise as it is a dispute between two parties. Though if the agency does have the ability, they could flag the property as a problem property as more calls are made to it.

[pavmentsurfer]

It may be worthwhile to file a complaint at least... that way its on file for the future. If you don't file the complaint now you had no history to fall back on. Its a REAL shame its just one family. Id keep my eyes open to see if these kids are causing trouble elsewhere in the neighbourhood. Having backup from other people would be a good if you ever needed to explain a problem to the authorities.

[PuppetMaster_97]

I live in a nice neighborhood too, but today a bunch of stupid kids like 5 years younger than me started throwing mulch and large pieces of shrubs at my E-Maxx. They must have thought it would be cool to see it run them over, however I strongly considered marching over and saying, "Hey, any one of you wanna guess how much this costs?" But they left.

[felixx4]

Dude, thats messed up. Its one thing to hound you or bother you to use your RC car, but a totally different thing when they start stealing your gear.

I agree, a huge part of it is the parents. And why would anyone let a 5 year old be supervised by a 9 year old outside????

Honestly, i would just call the cops and notify the division of youth and family services. I mean, if these kids (as young as they are) are outside running around doing whatever without any supervision one day something is going to happen to one of them and then theres going to be major problems.

I have 2 young kids within that age bracket and i would never leave them unsupervised outside. If i were you i would make a phone call if for anything, the kids safety.

Hope everything works out. And by the way, get a backpack and keep all your gear in there!

[67Mustang]

I would try to not get the police involved if you could. I'm guessing your batteries weren't more then $40, getting the police involved would be much more troublesome. Go back to the house when the parents are home and tell them the situation.

You can also use that time to tell them that you don't want them around when you're playing with your rc's, because you can't trust them because of their previous actions of stealing your property. Something like this you can't let it slide because they won't learn, but it's a waste to call the police about it.

I would maybe think about closing your garage if these little rascals are on your block

I would never think to leave my garage open...

[billylightning]

In my state, we have open carry.

[guardog]

I still believe in my last post you made...... Hockey mask and chain saw works every time

[PuppetMaster_97]

Or a Tommy-styled pop gun. Next time you see them trying to steal something, come running up going 'POP-POP-POP-POP' that'll scare them away.

[DSkjeie]

I don't think I would bring the police into it quite yet but I would defiantly not let it slide and talk to the parents, and inform them if any thing else happens I Will be in contact with the police.

sent from my Galaxy SII using Tapatalk 2.0

[1979chevy.]

So if you remember my other thread about the kids and running our cars, this is just blatant compared to that.

My son and I walked over to the football field and running track near our complex to run our cars so we wouldn't have to deal with the kids again.

They saw us walking with ours cars in hand and started hooting and hollering and followed us over there. I put the spare batteries down on the ground while we ran the cars and at some point while we weren't paying attention they snuck over and grabbed them and took them home.

So I marched over to their house and demanded they give them back. They had hid them in their mailbox.

I just kinda yelled at them and said "That's not cool; stealing from your neighbors."

Not a single apology and no parents around either.

Wow. Just wow.

Yeah that's crossing the line big time, the kids probably have never been taught to know any better but still. The parents are the ones who need a lesson. I would have gotten whupped with a belt had I ever done anything like that when I was their age.

[boyer1986]

I feel for ya man...There were a few punk kids in my area...one day I was out with the merv and I had to go inside to grab a screwdriver and It wasnt even 20 feet in the door where my case was I came back out and the kid next door had my merv and was about to head acrossed the street with it. I yelled something I cant post here but he freaked out dropped it and ran. I called the cops we went over and his parents were soooo mad...Im sure that kid got what he deserved but you dont steal another persons stuff let alone touch another mans rc...Thats just Wrong!

[DiggerPede]

Sorry to hear that man. Its really sad how our society has become these days. If they would only turn back time when you could use the switch without someone looking at you funny like you are beating/ or going to beat your kid. "Spare the rod spoil the child". I had my fair share growing up, do I regret any of it now. NOPE. At the time when i was younger probably YES.

Not sure what batts you are running but if they are Lipo i'd sit down and talk to them about the dangers of handling them. Like catching on fire and burning them. That would scare the mess out of them. You might could do the same with nimh to......That is my suggestion.

Wish ya luck!

[The VXL]

Where is corporal punishment when you need it?! This is beyond disgraceful. If I were you I would have lost my temper long ago and literally stormed up to the parents house to lecture them on how to raise a child because for someone to be so disrespectful to others by stealing what they have worked hard for disgusts me. It's the same for you puppetmaster and boyer. What you need to solve this is not an overcharged battery (as much as that might work) but a strong minded discussion with the parents.

[Nitronaught]

Humm,
I guess none of us older folks never did anything like that when we were young,,,, nah...

Kids make mistakes, and it's up to us older folks to point them out.... Honestly, I would make attempt to speak with the parents. I've had similar experiences and even though I had my doubts with the parents I have sometimes been surprised by their actions in a pleasant way....

It's worth talking with the parents, to give them a chance to deal with it... It may be the wake up call they really need. You never know it may be the straw that breaks the camels back and get's them back on the good road.......

The kids only 9... I'm not saying they are angels, but kids make mistakes,,, so do adults... Give them the opportunity to make it right... Further issues, document it with the police just in case revenge is something they care for....

Glad you got your batteries back...

Sometimes it's best to let things cool down a day or so, calm attitudes often help... Don;t just storm over and get all uppity at the parents, it wil lput them immediately on the defensive side.... Doesn't work that way very well.

Always best to try and handle these on a neighborly level... If it fails,,, you know you tried. Then there's the Police for the future and I hope it doesn't go that way....

[ksb51rl]

To those of you who have condemned these kids for the rest of their natural lives or worse yet, suggested that intentional harm be done to them or even agreed with such a suggestion, I have to say that I am personally deeply DISGUSTED.

What kind of person suggests that boys, "their ages ... between 5 and 9," be supplied with a booby-trapped device?
If you can rationalize THAT, then you belong on the other side of all the ideals we as a country and as individuals should hold dear. I am about as law-and-order as they get, and as old-school as the Division of Youth and Family Services will allow, but honestly, I am LIVID at the turn this thread had taken.
Do not ever suggest harm to children again on these forums.
Thread is closed.