When to call FACS/Police?

[krdahmer]

Ok so I finally caught the little who keeps kicking over and stepping on (and breaking) my solar lights out front this afternoon. So I march him down to his house intent on talking to the parent/s, well I ring the doorbell 4 times and knock on the door then ask the older of the two boys to go get their dad, who is apparently sleeping, with the door wide open (prob. left open by the unsupervised 4 and 6 yr old!) The 6 yr old comes back out and says, I can't find him. So I gave the younger one a little talking to about how breaking my belongings is not fun... etc etc. and tell them I will be back later to talk to their mother, which I plan to do in about an hour (I figure someone at least has to be around to feed them right?). I talked to the neighbour in between us and she says it was bad last summer too, both boys out all the time no parent to be found, one works nights, one days. I do think if I go back later and they are still unsupervised I will have to call, because they are so young, and just terrorizing the neighbourhood and all alone out front where anyone could pick them up, hit them with a car etc etc.

I mean the kids are but it makes you feel sorry for them when you see the stellar parenting going on... I especially loved the mound of cigarette butts at the doorway... real classy. Anyhow, should I have already called? Or should I wait and talk to the mother? Is it ok for the kids to be out like that if dad is asleep inside, legally? (maybe the kid lied... didn't want his little brother to get tattled on?)

I'm just hoping by me catching him in the act it's less fun now... but the way they were taunting me ('don't worry... she's not even talking' referring to the dad not answering the door ) and the younger one basically said he'd do it again it was fun... I just don't know.

Friggin loogans.

[Chaser]

I just graduated in Social Work and I would advise you to call CAS. It sounds that these children are chronically unsupervised and 4 and 6 is too young for that. A parent "technically" being present but asleep is not providing the care that is legally required for children that age.

I would also avoid talking to the mother, especially if you are planning on calling - best to minimize your involvement. Just call and report what you know and let a worker investigate it. Highly doubtful an apprehension or anything like that would happen if you are worried about that (unless there are worse issue than you've seen). They'll likely just order the parents to take the kids to a community centre day camp or something and help apply for a subsidy if the parents can't pay for it.

[TacoGrl]

My guess is they already have a worker...

I would call CAS(?)...don't know what the Police would actually do if they are anything like the ones here You don't want to have something happen that you could have maybe prevented...I don't think it is ever over-reacting if your gut says there is something wrong...

[Chaser]

Exactly Mooki...better to let professionals investigate and make those tough calls. If the kids were lying and the dad was actually home or whatever then they will just close the file and wouldn't fault you for going by the information you currently have available to you.

If they continue vandalizing though, then a talking-to from police may make it less funny to them. The CAS will deal with the parents, but can't really stop them from vandalizing your yard.

[14+kitties]

Good advice. Although the cops being called if you can find one that will "put a scare" into these kids might help too. Seriously, if they are left on their own all the time it's no wonder they go looking for trouble. Just my

[ancientgirl]

My guess is the parents probably don't give a hoot. Most likely they just want the kids out of their hair and if you did say something they'd probably just give you the routine, "they're just kids blah blah."

I think someone with a uniform though talking to the parents would 1. get the parents angry enough to actually keep the kids from getting into trouble and 2 scare the kids enough into not continuing their "fun".

[krdahmer]

Well last night the mother marched the boys down to apologize to me as soon as she got home from work. Which was nice. She also warned them in front of me that they are not to come on my property again. The little one actually said sorry (not that he meant it, but at least they are learning a bit about respect right?). I really think the father just didn't want to be bothered answering the door to hear me complain about the kids. He was obviously home because he drove off with them about 2 hours after I was there knocking.

I wrote down the day and time and a bit about what happened in case something happens again so that I can have details for FACS. For now I'll just keep an eye out.

[ancientgirl]

At least you got the mother to show some concern for her kids behavior. It's a good idea though to write things down. Just in case.

[TacoGrl]

...and take pics if possible...good luck.

Have you ever watched Nanny 911? Sometimes there is one parent trying and the other one roadblocking them...who knows...either way, the kids could be in danger if they are allowed to do what they want with no supervision...especially at that age...

[14+kitties]

Good for you! Good for the mom!! As least she is trying to make her kids responsible. It's sometimes hard to be working and having the other half "watching" the kids. They sometimes don't do near the job they should.
I love Nanny 911 and Supernanny. They haven't had any new 911's lately though, have they? The ones on the public channels are all repeats.

[TacoGrl]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

Good for you! Good for the mom!! As least she is trying to make her kids responsible. It's sometimes hard to be working and having the other half "watching" the kids. They sometimes don't do near the job they should.
I love Nanny 911 and Supernanny. They haven't had any new 911's lately though, have they? The ones on the public channels are all repeats.

I haven't seen any new ones either...I love them...lots of good ideas there...I have even used one or two ideas to train a few co-irkers!