Other Resources My Cup of Joe » WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, the bear, DerekL, alicefoeller Reply
WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
OptionResults
Let the police deal with it
Bury a strip of nails
toilet paper roll + hamster = revenge
tell the town to remove the roundabout
Dig a pit with 4' steel spikes at the bottom + grenades
Large rocks/boulder/logs
build a jump over the grass
plant trees, other landscaping
police PLUS rocks/trees/small fence
claymores and trip wires
spike strips
Shrubs then a month later, hidden boulder
Talk with the parents, if no help, spikes!
Build a large trench that will catch wheels, but won't hurt walkers.

2010-03-03 11:23 AM

User image

Champion
5874
50005001001001002525
Milton, GA
Subject: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood

I live in a small neighborhood that is frequently used as a cut through for local kids driving to school.  We have 2 roundabouts that the kids think it's cool to drive over instead of going around.  There are now permanent tire tracks in the grass and it will be our dues that go to fixing them in the spring. 

So today I caught a kid driving through one as I was leaving for work.  He saw me and tried to take off.  I caught up to him as he was turning into the high school parking lot and I got his tag number .  Now I am contemplating what to do.  I have so wanted to bury a strip of nails in the roundabout and let the kids drive over them.  On the other hand, I feel like I should be an adult about it and let the police handle it.

What say you, COJ?  Feel free to add your other options.



2010-03-03 11:26 AM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Champion
34263
500050005000500050005000200020001001002525
Chicago
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
I'd let the police do their job. If someone runs over it then crashes because of flat tires and loss of control, you could potentially be held liable.
2010-03-03 11:27 AM
in reply to: #2704810

Extreme Veteran
861
5001001001002525
Northbridge, Massachusetts
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
LowcountryTRI - 2010-03-03 9:23 AM

I live in a small neighborhood that is frequently used as a cut through for local kids driving to school.  We have 2 roundabouts that the kids think it's cool to drive over instead of going around.  There are now permanent tire tracks in the grass and it will be our dues that go to fixing them in the spring. 

So today I caught a kid driving through one as I was leaving for work.  He saw me and tried to take off.  I caught up to him as he was turning into the high school parking lot and I got his tag number .  Now I am contemplating what to do.  I have so wanted to bury a strip of nails in the roundabout and let the kids drive over them.  On the other hand, I feel like I should be an adult about it and let the police handle it.

What say you, COJ?  Feel free to add your other options.



I would file a police report, then have the homeowner's file against the insurance policy once you get the info from the police report as to the driver.

I would also go to the school and have a discussion with the principal about the behavior and see if they can address it there as well.

Until word gets around the school that there will be consequences, nothing will change.
2010-03-03 11:29 AM
in reply to: #2704819

User image

Member
1699
1000500100252525
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
I would ask the police to do something. They will probably stick an officer there every once in a while and write a ticket or two. That may help.

Instead of nails, what about rocks or logs or something less overtly damaging, yet more discouraging than grass?
2010-03-03 11:30 AM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Elite
3090
20001000252525
Spokane, WA
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood

No way on the nails. Too much risk of someone stepping on them. Bad idea.

2010-03-03 11:30 AM
in reply to: #2704821

User image

Expert
805
500100100100
Portland,OR
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood

Start with the police, if they don't do their job...next step would be spike strips!



2010-03-03 12:10 PM
in reply to: #2704825

User image

Expert
632
50010025
Cornfields of Illinois
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
eberulf - 2010-03-03 11:29 AM I would ask the police to do something. They will probably stick an officer there every once in a while and write a ticket or two. That may help. Instead of nails, what about rocks or logs or something less overtly damaging, yet more discouraging than grass?


I agree on the police as well as Large Landscaping rocks, the kind that will damage the front end of a car
2010-03-03 12:17 PM
in reply to: #2704825

User image

Pro
4824
20002000500100100100
Houston
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
eberulf - 2010-03-03 11:29 AM I would ask the police to do something. They will probably stick an officer there every once in a while and write a ticket or two. That may help. Instead of nails, what about rocks or logs or something less overtly damaging, yet more discouraging than grass?


This was going to be my suggestion as well.  Maybe talk with your neighbors, maybe somebody has a large boulder or even some good size rocks/logs/landscaping stuff that would deter them.
2010-03-03 12:20 PM
in reply to: #2704819

User image

Champion
8540
50002000100050025
the colony texas
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
mr2tony - 2010-03-03 11:26 AM I'd let the police do their job. If someone runs over it then crashes because of flat tires and loss of control, you could potentially be held liable.


 this is pretty much what I was going to say..

I think it's better to let the police handle it since that's part of their job, why worry about any type of retaliation, liability etc.   even if you have to report it multiple times to get the needed attention
2010-03-03 12:23 PM
in reply to: #2704998

User image

Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
Police.  You are lucky you even got a tag.

I was driving one night and a pickup truck was tearing up all the landscaping in our community.  I tried to catch them (within reason) but they didn't have lights on, so I could get a number (and they were moving fast, and I didn't want to do a chase)...

The next day I drove around and was shocked at the distruction they caused.  It took a better part of a year to repair it all/grass to grow back.
2010-03-03 12:25 PM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Veteran
318
100100100
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
get one of these cardboard cut-outs and stick it in the middle...

http://25kids.com/Examples.htm


2010-03-03 12:25 PM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Pro
6767
500010005001001002525
the Alabama part of Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
Where's the "HEY! YOU KIDS! GET OFF MY LAWN!!!" option?


I would also vote police over taking things into your own hands.  Maybe tell the principal as well, since the school may be able to revoke school parking privileges even if the police can't do anything without witnessing it.
2010-03-03 12:38 PM
in reply to: #2704810


158
1002525
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
I think the occassional ticket would fix the problem if the cops were out there once in a while or certainly a tastefully done obstacle such as the landscaping rocks, some type of fencing, etc.
2010-03-03 12:54 PM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
All of the roundabouts in my neighborhood are outfitted with huge fountains and tons of landscaping - actually very beautiful. Of course, the kids think it's funny to put dishwashing soap in the fountains every now and again, but certainly no one is driving through them.

Landscaping! Rocks! Coy Pond! Something!

 
2010-03-03 12:57 PM
in reply to: #2704810

Veteran
320
100100100
Lost, Florida
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
I would report it to the police, and ask them to post a police man during this time.  As far getting the tag of the driver, you'll be able to file a complaint but the police really won't do anything unless they witness it.  I have a similiar situation in my neighborhood and the police told me unless they witness the event there is nothing they can do.  And it doesn't matter if you have 100 eye witnesses. 
2010-03-03 1:03 PM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Veteran
667
5001002525
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
LowcountryTRI - 2010-03-03 11:23 AM

I live in a small neighborhood that is frequently used as a cut through for local kids driving to school.  We have 2 roundabouts that the kids think it's cool to drive over instead of going around.  There are now permanent tire tracks in the grass and it will be our dues that go to fixing them in the spring. 

So today I caught a kid driving through one as I was leaving for work.  He saw me and tried to take off.  I caught up to him as he was turning into the high school parking lot and I got his tag number .  Now I am contemplating what to do.  I have so wanted to bury a strip of nails in the roundabout and let the kids drive over them.  On the other hand, I feel like I should be an adult about it and let the police handle it.

What say you, COJ?  Feel free to add your other options.



I know you're probably joking, but on the off chance that you're not - don't put in nails or any kind of trap that could potentially injure the children.  You run the risk of experiencing in a lot of hassle if a kids hurts themselves, maybe even civil liability since you know that kids have a tendency to use this particular part of your property.  Even if they're trespassing.

I don't know that the police would be particularly effective, either.  I don't think minor property damage ranks high on their priority list.  It sucks, but that's probably the truth.

You may want to consider putting up some kind of fence or hedge.  Some kind of physical barrier that makes it impossible for the kids to bike through the roundabout.


Edited by Johners 2010-03-03 1:04 PM


2010-03-03 1:06 PM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Master
2380
2000100100100252525
Beijing
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
Are you good friends with a police officer?  Does one live in your neighborhood?   Have them run the plate and give the kid's parents a call.

Problem solved.


2010-03-03 1:20 PM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Champion
5529
500050025
Nashville, TN
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
I would talk to the police.  If you can, I wouldn't press charges (destruction of property) but I would encourage a stern talking too.  I think once word got out that the police visited someone's home, that mind deter future acts. 
2010-03-03 1:26 PM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Pro
4292
20002000100100252525
Evanston,
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
In case the police don't handle it (and they probably will), you can file a civil suit in small claims court.

Needed:

1.  camera - good pictures for evidence
2.  estimate from landscaping company on repairing damage
3.  small filing fee - Google "small claims court" + " (your state and county)" for the process.  No lawyers

The flaw is that it might be tough to prove would be that a particular individual caused ALL of the damage.  So nab several drivers at once if you can.  But the small claims judges tend to be appointed part-time magistrates who will enjoy doing justice for this sort of thing.
2010-03-03 1:28 PM
in reply to: #2705170

User image

Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
Johners - 2010-03-03 1:03 PM  Some kind of physical barrier that makes it impossible for the kids to bike through the roundabout.


I got the impression they were driving through with a motor vehicle, not riding through on a bike. Hence the tags...
2010-03-03 2:26 PM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Champion
5874
50005001001001002525
Milton, GA
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood

Thanks, COJ!

I did file a police report and no I was not really going to put down nails (even though I wanted to).  Unfortunately, the HOA is having money problems so having any shrubs, rocks or fences put in are not going to happen anytime soon. 

I may take some of the metal stakes that hold up the retaining fences around the areas that are still under construction and outline the roundabouts with them.  That may keep them off for a while. 



2010-03-03 6:47 PM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Champion
4942
2000200050010010010010025
Richmond, VA
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood

first thing you do is dig a big hole.

then, toss some leaves and brush in the hole.

light the brush until it all burns up.

then, when the kids get near the hole, kick them in the ash-hole.

 

2010-03-03 8:06 PM
in reply to: #2704810

Regular
283
100100252525
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
If the ashole kicking doesn't work....

Plant some shrubs, thick enough vegetation that you can't see through.  This may stop them. If not, continue with th shrubs.  After a months. drop a 500 rock behind the shrubs.  Nice simple landscaping that has some teeth.  Also, since it is landscaping- you are covered.

Also the whole banana in the tailpipe thing is funny.
2010-03-03 8:15 PM
in reply to: #2704810

User image

Expert
1146
100010025
Johns Creek, Georgia
Subject: RE: WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood
If you are up to it, call the local TV station, they love stuff like this, they show a few folks drive over the grass, then the school takes action by saying the will revoke parking on campus privlidges, and the police will actually be more on the lookout.

New Thread
Other Resources My Cup of Joe » WWCOJD - Kids Driving Through Grass in Neighborhood Rss Feed