Comangi Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 So yesterday, I found shoe prints on the hood and roof of the Comanche. Pretty sure it's the 10-12 year old boys that I see playing around the neighborhood all the time. My initial reaction was to say "meh", it's a beat up 30 year old truck. But it's got a gas can in the bed, a wheel chock (bad e-brake cable) and the doors don't lock too well (yeah, it's beat) I'm nervous these kids are going to hurt themselves or cause damage. If they hurt themselves, guess who gets sued?? I'm a bit... nervous about saying anything to someone's kid, last i checked, that's how you get arrested these days. I'm also nervous about approaching his mom, as I don't want to be accused of being intimidating or mean. Back when I was a kid (not long ago) I'd get yelled at by the owner, run off, and never do it again. Nowadays, i would go tell my mommy, mommy could call the cops, and then I'd vandalize the jeep. So... what would the comanche club do? 1: I'm thinking of just parking it somewhere else. Maybe they think it's abandoned because it's always parked in the same spot and maybe they just aren't usually home when I drive it. 2: No retaliation, threats, booby traps, or anything like this. I'm an adult, and I have to live with these people. Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Make friends with the kids , earn their respect and ask them not to mess with your truck . I have neighbors I could care less for , but go out of my way to keep them happy so they will think twice before messing with my possessions . In casual conversation Lead the kids to believe you have close friend that are cops and you have security cameras . I know it's strange but it's always worked for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillithium Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Friend, I understand the social stigma's there are nowadays about approaching other people's kids but I think you can put a stop to this. If they're 10-12, they should be able to hold a conversation and listen to reason. Currently they may not see your truck as something of value, kindly remind them that you love your truck. You don't want to see it damaged, but you also don't want to see them get hurt. Are they arrogant little bastards? Then try their parents, it is NOT acceptable to treat someone's truck as a jungle gym. Are the parents similar little bastards? Then yeah, try parking it elsewhere. Or wax the roof of your cab extra good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comangi Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Make friends with the kids , earn their respect and ask them not to mess with your truck . I have neighbors I could care less for , but go out of my way to keep them happy so they will think twice before messing with my possessions . In casual conversation Lead the kids to believe you have close friend that are cops and you have security cameras . I know it's strange but it's always worked for me. I considered that, the "cool neighbor" approach. I'm afraid tho that talking to someone's kids leads to the "creepy neighbor" label. Again, I'm afraid of other people's kids, everyone is hyper sensitive these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comangi Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Friend, I understand the social stigma's there are nowadays about approaching other people's kids but I think you can put a stop to this. If they're 10-12, they should be able to hold a conversation and listen to reason. Currently they may not see your truck as something of value, kindly remind them that you love your truck. You don't want to see it damaged, but you also don't want to see them get hurt. Are they arrogant little bastards? Then try their parents, it is NOT acceptable to treat someone's truck as a jungle gym. Are the parents similar little bastards? Then yeah, try parking it elsewhere. Or wax the roof of your cab extra good. I figured I'm going to take the nice approach, like both of you have said. I'll mention it to the kids and hope it stops. If not, it's the parents. After two strikes, I'll need to begin the paper trail with the police so I have a defense if they try to sue me when little billy breaks his ankle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillithium Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Who knows, though. It may have been a one time thing. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comangi Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Who knows, though. It may have been a one time thing. Good luck! This is my hope, one time, that was fun, move on. I was a kid once, I remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 get a wireless security camera ASAP. Just in case they decide to take a different approach than you envision. Video proof is golden once it comes time to go to court. You can get them fairly cheap and they super easy to install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comangi Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Was considering that too. The jeep is sitting in a fairly secluded spot. I chose the spot to keep it out of the way so I don't bother the neighbors. I guess it wasn't the best choice, so I'll park it where it's in plain sight and hope the kids aren't that bold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 when I found evidence of the highschool kids eating their lunches behind the doctor's office across the street from me (is it really that hard to find a trash can?), I printed out and taped up a note saying I would call the cops if I ever saw them on my neighbor's property again (I never actually saw them). just don't use the phrase "my truck", use "my neighbor's truck". that way if they cop an attitude they can't get mad at you, but rather at a mysterious anonymous neighbor. :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comangi Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 I considered a note. I figured anything I tape to the truck with a warning will inevitably end in an implied "Please vandalize this vehicle at your earliest convenience." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I agree. that's why you make it sound like a concerned neighbor wrote it. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJRemi Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 If possible, talk to the kids and parents together since some parents freak out when their little angels are confronted with anything negative. Also, maybe invite the kids (with permission) to help you work on the truck for simple repairs and upgrades. They just might get the Comanche bug and have more respect for a truck they helped maintain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comangi Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Thanks for the advice guys. If this was on the SRT forums, they would be all about threats, alarms, cops and guns. Y'all are reasonable adults. I appreciate that. I'll try moving it, if that doesn't work, I'll go chat with the parents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comangi Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Pic because it happened: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 take that with you if you end up talking with anyone. nothing like a little evidence to prove a point :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comangi Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 It's a pretty distinctive print, another pic shows a clear "2.0" printed in a circle on the heel. Even if mom denies it, she's going to go look at his shoes and give him hell for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I would just start by being a reasonable human being and talking to their parents. I'd imagine if you don't antagonize anyone and be chill about it they would be at least reasonable about it. Security camera is a good idea though in case something DOES happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinkrun Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Is it parked in public or private land? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comangi Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 I went ahead and moved the jeep, I figure maybe I need them to know it's not abandoned or dead. After that, if it keeps happening, I'll chat with the parents. I'm not a confrontational dude, I'm pretty chill, so I don't imagine a conversation with the parents would go badly. Funny side note, I guess my other neighbor who is an MD state trooper noticed. He parked his cruiser where the jeep used to sit. HA! Maybe that'll send a message! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comangi Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Is it parked in public or private land? it's a community parking lot. It's private, but not mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopypants Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I'd tell them to get off the jeep... For reference https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-NmzN448J7E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comangi Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 hahaha, if only! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash_AF Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I would go talk to the parents and the kids at the same time. Explain the situation, say you're concerned about the kids getting hurt, and just thought they should know so that the parents can take care of it. Don't make it a confrontation, but show them the pic(s) of the shoe-prints and thank them for their time. Respect gets respect, and by not making it a negative focused conversation and more about keeping Little Johnny safe, the parents should be more receptive. Later, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big66440 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I would be stern about telling them but not an A hole I had to tell a bunch of kids to get off my 66 Dodge pick up once they were all sitting in the bed talking and chatting, after I told them all it wasn't a place to hang out they never did it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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