Advice needed beyond bonsai

[Desert O'Piñon]

So I have a problem. I have a risky idea that could affect basically my whole collection.
For about a month now, some local middle schoolers have been ding dong ditching unless I'm outside in the front yard. We figured after 2 or 3 times, they would get bored and move on, but it didn't happen. Monday I wasn't outside and they escalated to throwing rocks and hit the front door. I took off after them while calling police, who responded within 2 minutes and met me in front of one kids house.
Aside from 2 officers, I've also spoken with 3 different parents. Hopefully it's over. If not, I have an outrageous idea that could risk my collection or cultivate an interest in bonsai for a young generation.

I call a meeting with the parents and their boys at the police station. I suggest that they work and learn about the effort involved in bonsai culture. I would supervise them twice(?) a week for 2 or 3 hours after work during the summer break. I won't let them in my house and they will have to walk to get here, which shouldn't be an issue since they walk by every school day anyway. It would be understood that any damaged or missing trees would result in charges. It's my way of attempting to develop more than just little pet trees.
A sense of commonality in the neighborhood.
An interest in horticulture in general and possibly bonsai specifically.
Accountability for bad behavior that doesn't ruin their childhood, or even their summer.
A sense of accomplishment for work performed.
The concept of patience when a long-term project comes together.

The risk comes because except for a few in the ground, my trees are in the front yard with no protection. I live on one of the busiest streets in town, and I have nosy neighbors (in this case it's a good thing). So those factors reduce the risk.

Am I bonsainuts for considering this?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I dont think its worth the effort, if the scum havent shown any interest as it is. Its a nice thought to try and teach the riff raff. Maybe put a sign or something to get interest from the kids on their own without it seeming like a punishment?

 

[Wulfskaar]

I am torn on this. It might work with some kids, but for others, they just won't show up.

My first thought is to get a shotgun with rock salt shells. However, that doesn't go over very well these days and you'll be in jail fast.

I'd probably just keep calling the cops. Maybe get a Ring or some other cameras in the front to show the cops exactly who is doing it. If any damage is ever done, start demanding arrests and payment. After a while, messing with your house will just be too much hassle for them.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Maybe put a sign or something to get interest from the kids on their own without it seeming like a punishment?

I like this idea. Maybe instead of a sign, I could just talk with each family and offer some teaching as a peace offering to show no hard feelings.
Although they did call the cops on me yesterday, saying some guy was following them. I guess I technically was, since I was going straight to one kid's house to see if his parent(s?) was home, and she was. But they ducked down an alley, and I got to the house ahead of them. Momma was NOT happy with her son! I only went to their house because I watched them ding dong ditch my 78 and 81 year old neighbor couple. It's crossing another line when you start harassing elderly folks!

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

My first thought is to get a shotgun with rock salt shells. However, that doesn't go over very well these days and you'll be in jail fast.

I've thought of doing this with a slingshot.

In reality, my next step is trespass warnings. And after that, citations and fines. I've also considered putting a Big Iron

on my hip. New Mexico is an open carry state, so it's perfectly legal as long as it's visible from three sides of the body, so long as it stays holstered. That could definitely be intimidating.

 

[shohin_branches]

While I think it's good to idea to help young people feel invested in their community as a method to keep them from destroying it I also recommend getting a video camera to cover your trees. I also bolt mine to the benches.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I would not invite that upon myself or my collection.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Clearly there's no way to mentally outwit these 12 year old middle schoolers so weapons it is. /sarcasm

The parents you spoke with didn't offer a solution?
Rent a dog for a month.
Let the proper authorities handle it, anything else is looking for trouble.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I am only about 2 years deep into really doing anything that could be considered bonsai, which isn't that long in the life of a tree, but sneaking up on 50 years, it's not insignificant. And I don't have any "real" bonsai pots yet, so it would potentially be a loss of time invested, which is minimal. Maybe this should have been a poll...

I appreciate the thoughts and ideas. I'll ruminate on these and come to a decision.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Clearly there's no way to mentally outwit these 12 year old middle schoolers so weapons it is.

Actually, it wouldn't be fair to engage them in a battle of wits, as the little snots are unarmed.

 

[leatherback]

I had kids playing soccer against my fenceline, and every once in a while a ball would fly over into my trees.

I invited parents and kids over, and -sort of- apologetically explained I had a bit of a crazy hobby, showing some trees, and one of the trees that got hit. The explanation that it would take years to regrow the broken branch landed and have not had problems since.

I would not force them to work on your trees. That will at many ages just build resentment.
Do you get enthusiastic or emphatic if you are forced to do chores?

 

[Shogun610]

Ah fam don’t let them know what you have .. don’t invite anyone outback .. let them throw rocks who cares just kids although misguided… I use to steal chromies of nice cars for a bit until I realized it was theft at 8 lol …

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Treating them with kindness is the way to prevent them from seeing you as the grumpy old fart who needs a teasing.
Leave some lemonade and cookies and a sign 'for the ding dong ditchers, ring bell for ice' and they probably notice they didn't get under your skin, which ruins the fun.

That creates an opening for talk. I wouldn't show the collection but instead just give them a couple cuttings. "These are yours now, they are a special Japanese variety and if you turn these into bonsai you can sell it to get a nice vape or something".
It's disarming to suddenly have something to care for.
They're boys, boys need a mission. If they get bored, they do stupid stuff. Doing stupid stuff is also a mission, but if you change the directive they might just take it on.

 

[rockm]

I would NOT allow them anywhere near your bonsai. If the trees are inthe front yard (damn dude) get them somewhere more secure. Locationis an invitation for theft or vandalism or other nasty crap. The thought bonsai would lead to better behavior is a fantasy. Won’t happen. It’s nice to think that but reality is different.

They’re fixated on annoying you for whatever reason. Engaging them more even on a benign level might escalate their behavior. Let the police handle it with their parents. I’d think about a restraining order if this continues. Hard consequences come with stupid behavior. It won’t “ruin their lives”. Their records (if any result which may not happen) will likely be sealed once they turn 18.

 

[rockm]

I've thought of doing this with a slingshot.

In reality, my next step is trespass warnings. And after that, citations and fines. I've also considered putting a Big Iron

on my hip. New Mexico is an open carry state, so it's perfectly legal as long as it's visible from three sides of the body, so long as it stays holstered. That could definitely be intimidating.

For Gods sake don’t start wearing a gun. That’s a sign of weakness and won’t deter anything. What you gonna do? shoot a 13 year for being stupid? If you’re not going to use it don’t put it out there. Mixing a gun into this situation is a disaster waiting to happen. Spoken as a multiple gun owner…be smart about it. Gun aint the answer. As for Rock salt in a shotgun. Ever seen what that does? I have. it can be potentially fatal depending on range and load. Hit a small kid with it and you’re gonna hurt them severely. Want to get jail time and sued.? wtf?

 

[bwaynef]

I think your heart's in the right place, but I only see this going badly. It sounds like you need to make your trees less of a target in case things continue to escalate, but I'd recommend the proper channels if you're going to continue to pursue this. And whatever you do, don't discuss value/worth of your trees, particularly until you've made them less visible.

 

[JeffS73]

Your idea to educate them is noble, but ultimately unlikely to be well received. Bonsai is an odd hobby!

In the UK you would need to be vetted (DBS check) to do any kind of education work with kids, and there'd have to be a second DBS checked adult present. Anything else exposes you to risks of very bad accusations.

You could call a local scout group and offer to do a bonsai demo, give away some seedlings. They will be vetted, no risk and not at your property, Or a stand at a school fair with a parent. If you do either of these, you'll have to have snappy presentation skills, many kids have the attention span of a gnat.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

For Gods sake don’t start wearing a gun. That’s a sign of weakness and won’t deter anything. What you gonna do? shoot a 13 year for being stupid? If you’re not going to use it don’t put it out there. Mixing a gun into this situation is a disaster waiting to happen. Spoken as a multiple gun owner…be smart about it. Gun aint the answer. As for Rock salt in a shotgun. Ever seen what that does? I have. it can be potentially fatal depending on range and load. Hit a small kid with it and you’re gonna hurt them severely. Want to get jail time and sued.? wtf?

I'm not shooting anybody. I'm not even going to go the rock salt route. Just thoughts that bounced around inside my frustrated skull. I don't have plans to do anything that resembles unlawful activity. I just want them to leave my wife alone. She deals with fibromyalgia, and there are days where it's hard for her to do much of anything due to pain, fatigue, or both. I want them to leave my son alone. He's 23, but still living with us because of Asperger's Syndrome, and he already has paranoia issues because of that.

As far as my trees...
They all just look like potted plants at this point. And lots of "empty" pots and flats waiting for seedlings to emerge. Everything is on the ground; I have no benches yet. My backyard has an ornery 13yo lab mix who is probably mentally challenged. We've never been able to teach him anything other than sit and lay down, which he will do for all of 3.5 seconds before he's back on his feet walking to us. He digs. He snoops. He knocks things over. He's more dangerous to my collection than these kids.
We had new windows installed last year. If the kids break one, I'm bringing down the hammer of legal justice, for sure.
But I think I'm agreeing with the overall consensus that maybe I just ignore them as long as they ignore us.
My original idea wasn't to  force them to learn bonsai. It just seems that neutral ground at the PD would be a good place to have a group meeting. It would have been their option whether or not to participate. But that is rather a moot point now.
Thank you all for helping me to think through the options and the possibilities. At this time, I'm just going to let it go, and hope that the discussions I've already had with parents will end their little game.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

If you don’t already have one, maybe a doorbell camera can deter them a little, and help your wife decide if she needs to get up and answer the door or not.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

If you don’t already have one, maybe a doorbell camera can deter them a little, and help your wife decide if she needs to get up and answer the door or not.

Yep. We're already looking into it. Both next door neighbors have one, and they haven't been bothered.