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Vandalism

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by fidothedog, Jun 10, 2012.

  1. fidothedog

    fidothedog Member

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    With 5 kids, we usually look forward to the summer and having our kids around. I am one of those parents who knows where my kids are at all times.

    After last night, I can go without any other kids being around.

    At 3 am, our house and a neighbor's house were vandalised.

    What little fun prank did the kids do?

    Ringing the door bell....nope
    Egging the house...nope
    Ahh toilet papering the trees...nope

    How about picking up metal lawn chairs and smashing them through the windows of our house...Yep...that's the winning answer.

    Must be some of Broadlands little angels out there on Sunday morning at 3 am doing good deeds.

    I bet they are even on the honor roll at Briar Woods and more likely than not playing on a sports team.

    What good little angels we have in this neighborhood.

    With a lot of graduation parties happening in the next 48 hours everyone should be extra aware of their surroundings.

    The police told me last night if we see any kids out after 11 pm to call them due to the rise in vandalism in the area.
     
  2. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    Schools out, this is normal behavior for local teens.
     
  3. Sunny

    Sunny Chief Advisor

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    Did you read the original post? I can't think for a moment that you did. Re-read it.
     
  4. Sunny

    Sunny Chief Advisor

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    What section? I am getting cameras- today. Thanks!
     
  5. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    I read it, what's your point. School ended last week, and every year it's the same sh---. Pool is vandelized, houses are vandelized, cars are vandelized, shopplifting increases at the local stores. What's your point, I'll tell you mine, IT'S THE END OF SCHOOL AND THE START OF SUMMER, the kids are running free with nothing to do except tear up other peoples property.
     
  6. Mom8386

    Mom8386 Member

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    Throwing lawn chairs through the windows of a house is not "VANDALISM". It's criminal destruction of property. It doesn't matter what friggin day of the year it is. You act like it's "normal". BTW, the worse we've had in any neighborhood we have ever lived in is egging and tp'ing. I have no issue with tp'ing houses. Heck, my friends and I did each other's homes when we were in HS, but breaking windows is not the same thing.

    Funny, while our boys were growing up here in Ashburn, they didn't have free roam of the neighborhoods ever after about 9 pm. Not sure why these kids "need something to do". They do obviously need parenting.
     
  7. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    I don't disagree with anything your saying, but every year it's the same thing. People act surprised by what happens at the end of school, from vandalizing the pools , to a bunch of street lights being broken, bikes being stolen, cars broken into, and rampant shoplifting. While this particular act is a new low and who ever did this should be prosecuted to the full extent, it's not uncommon, just an escalation and everyone should be aware, TEENS are out for the summer, lock your cars, make sure your garages are closed, etc. Have a nice summer.
     
  8. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    Cameras have proven to be a valuable tool, not to prevent the vandalism per say, but catching the kids in the act and holding them accountable.

    Many years ago people on this forum thought our family was nuts and slightly paranoid for installing our surveillance system. Here is the site we used, homeowners can create custom packages. We especially like the wireless IP cameras that are built into the security light. These cameras are discreet and provide amazing footage.

    http://www.x10.com/homepage.htm
     
  9. fidothedog

    fidothedog Member

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    I agree that kids will be kids but this is an extreme act of violence. They didn't get the chairs through the window on the first attempt. These are double paned windows. They had to smack the window once then again to get it in with glass flying all over my entire house.

    What is the next step, breaking the window and then entering the house for a little more fun?

    If you are passive and allow this sort of behavior then it will definitely get worse.

    In my opinion this is all the parents fault. Kids should not be roaming our neighborhood at midnight least alone 3 am.

    So my choice is made for me....just so the kids can have "fun" and some absolute a** of a parent does not do their duty, I now have the pleasure of having to buy a multi-thousand dollar camera system.
     
  10. Sunny

    Sunny Chief Advisor

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    You asked here twice what my point was. If you have one supporter show up in this thread I'll spell it out for you. Other than that, I wonder why you are so confrontational.
     
  11. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    I think your misreading me, I'm certainly not passive, Ive seen this escalate since I've moved here. These teens do some brash things, I cannot comprehend what goes through their mind to think these actions are acceptable. I totally agree with you that a lack of parenting is probably the root of the problem, but many parents adopt " my kid kid wouldn't do that" or "kid will be kids" attitude. I hope this doesn't happen to Anyone else Or anything worse, but with the summer months just starting, I can't imagine what's next. Out of curiosity, do you live close to a trial? A few years ago our neighbors had a similar issue but luckily no broken windows, but the trails behind homes provide a convent escape route out of sight. Good luck and I hope this is the last of the summer miscrients.
     
  12. Sesame

    Sesame New Member

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    I'm so sorry this happened to you. I cannot imagine how terrifying that must have been when it happened nor how angry you must be to have to deal with the aftermath. I hope they catch the kids that did this.
     
  13. fidothedog

    fidothedog Member

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    Thanks for the kind words. The worst thing was my 3 girls and wife being scared out of their minds. The boys were scared but settled down a lot faster.
     
  14. Sunny

    Sunny Chief Advisor

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    awesome link- thanks erika!
     
  15. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    this is BEYOND ridiculous, over the top malicious destruction- wow. as a victim of escalated vandalism I know the anger and frustration you feel. we never caught the kids that vandalized our home years ago. how old are your kids? any of them know kids that may have an ax to grind- jealousy, jilted ex boyfriend, rival school? that's the first place we looked for clues...

    such an extreme act- i wonder if they were drinking or doing drugs- who DOES that to someone else's home??? hope you get the criminals- such an invasion of quiet enjoyment of your home. :censored:

    i have to disagree with one point. sports and being accountable to someone in addition to parents- and with something they love hanging in the balance- have kept my son out of many a bad situation, and made him think twice before making what would have been a VERY bad decision. being away with sports is one reason he's not a suspect in many teen antics here. yes there are some jocks who cause trouble, but these kids are SUCH a small number compared to the number who participate, AND- i would guess- would be in trouble even WITHOUT sports.

    we just don't hear enough about those kids who do good works in the community and get good grades (Alex Carter, best example!)- we hear about the jackholes who disrespect our homes and businesses and embarrass themselves and their families by getting drunk and high ( I won't name names- we know who they are).

    being involved in a club, sport, activity stacks the odds IN our <parents> favor that our kids will be doing something other drinking, drugs or committing crimes. YES I KNOW THERE ARE (insert sport here) PLAYERS THAT DO ALL OF THE ABOVE. But most respect their team and their coaches enough to keep their noses clean or risk being benched or cut.

    sorry again for your families wrecked peace of mind- we've been there... :(
     
  16. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    I think the issue was your dismissive nature at the start of the thread. This family is facing hundreds to thousands in damages on top of the emotional stress that follows having your property targeted like this. When you lead off with a 'thats kids for you...' type of response, its not exactly a comforting response for someone who is likely pretty upset and angry over the matter.
     
  17. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    well, for clairity, it wasn't dismissive, it was just a statement about this time of year and the abundance of free time teens have and the inability to focus those energy on anything other than destructive behavior. I certainly did not wish to make light of the situation, this is serious. WELCOME TO THE SUMMER.
     
  18. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    So sorry this happened, but I could not help but wonder why this might have happened to you? Do you think there is any reason you and your neighbor were vandalized? Not sure if you thought of this angle... but it sucks either way.

    And did you contact your Homeowners Insurance company? Perhaps this is covered?
     
  19. Brit

    Brit New Member

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    This is awful and I'm so sorry too, what a traumatic and unnecessary thing to have to endure.

    Are there any Broadlands-wide initiatives to raise awareness among both camps about this - parents and home-owners?
     
  20. LvBlands3

    LvBlands3 New Member

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    fido,

    What ages are your kids? What you describe seems very targeted. Maybe your kids know the kids who did this? This does seem like it is way beyond vandalism.
     

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