Advice needed beyond bonsai

[Woocash]

In no way should you highlight any thing that is of value to you to them because kids are fickle. You might engage one or two, but most likely you will just create a target for the ringleader/most troubled/idiotic to aim at.

I love your community spirit, but kids are built different these days. Empathy is rarely nurtured and it is not incumbent on you to risk yourself for the cause. I like the lemonade and cookies idea.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I like the lemonade and cookies idea.

I agree with you, but maybe not on this point. Have you seen what happens when you feed stray cats? Pretty soon, every feral animal in a 15-block radius is there wanting their share.

School is out in a little over a month anyway. I'll have stopped it by then.

 

[rockm]

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

Probably the best deterrent is a camera recording what’s happening. The camera on your phone is one of the best deterrents out there. Simply step out your front door and start recording what’s happening or use it to show the idiots in action

They see you recording they will stop. They understand the implications of a raised camera and what it will show the cops.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Probably the best deterrent is a camera recording what’s happening. The camera on your phone is one of the best deterrents out there. Simply step out your front door and start recording what’s happening or use it to show the idiots in action

They see you recording they will stop. They understand the implications of a raised camera and what it will show the cops.

That's why they called the cops on me Thursday. When we all talked with the officer, he basically said
"OK, so now we know this man isn't really a creep, and that he was following and recording you because you've been harassing him and his family. Sir, what would you like to see happen today?"

They blew the whistle on themselves. I think it probably ended the problem, but I just thought there might be an opportunity to give them a "new directive," as someone mentioned earlier. If they leave us alone now, I'll consider it resolved. But I really do like kids. I actually used to be one. I was soured on them when my son would get picked on. But also, because of his paranoia issues, a lot of it was perceived, and not actual.
It just seems like they need more guidance and discipline than they're getting. When I was growing up, summers on my grandfather's farm taught me a lot! And it piqued my interest in agriculture, which became more focused on the specific subject of horticulture. I just thought I could pass that down. But, realistically, they're not my responsibility, and my first duty is to my family before the community.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

They see you recording they will stop. They understand the implications of a raised camera and what it will show the cops.

Except that because the sun was so bright I couldn't see the screen and didn't actually record anything at all!
But they don't know that. They certainly didn't like the idea of being recorded, though. One boy's dad pulled up in his truck, and I thought things were about to get heated. But when he asked if the kids were giving me trouble and I explained, it went the other way. His tone changed, and he told his son to get in the truck and don't speak before we get home. He introduced himself, shook my hand and promised we won't have any more trouble from his son, and apologized for the behavior. At least 2 of those kids are not having a good 3-day weekend.