Time for a Rant - Neighbours Kids Kicking Football at my Cars

[aussiblue]

OK; we have a quiet street at the end of a no through road so little traffic. With lots of children and I accept that it is OK and actually nice that kids play on the street and kick a football around etc. But I am ****ed off that parents of one group tells their own teenage children off if they kick the football near their own house and cars so they come down to my, and the neighbour across the roads, place to kick the footy back and forth across the road. There is a children's playground two houses down they could use without risk to house windows or cars but they prefer the bowling turf of my across the road neighbour's lawn. I have several cars parked on my front lawn area (not the verge) and I am concerned that they may hit a roof an "oilcan" it. I have tried:

a) asking nicely that they move on;
b) more recently (and more and more agitatedly) yelling at them;
c) talking to one of the parents who told me where to go and threatened me with violence if I yelled at his kids again.

I have also now caught one of them throwing golf balls over my house hitting other cars in the carport (there is a golf range nearby so they can collect lots of free ammunition balls). I think the ugly parent is encouraging them to stir me up. I aslo think they now try to "accidently" hit my cars with the football. It's obviously not a police matter and the local shire have no interest.

I think I know whatever I do will escalate to something worse so I think I will have to bite my lip and try to chill out. I used to play a bit of footy myself and it is difficult to resist the temptation to try a few well placed stab passes at the parent's cars/houses etc. but I know that wouldn't help the situation.


Any suggestions? I have though about confiscating the footballs (to join the collection of golf balls I now have) that hit my house or cars but that may result in the threatened outcome in c) (he has a violent history beating his wife, kids, and pet dog so I think this is likely - I actually held off taking it up with him as I was concerned he would attack his kids ).

[Bossxr8]

Nothing a good beating with a club wouldn't fix.

jk

But you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. The more you hassle them about it the more they will try to provoke you.

Build a new high front fence?

[aussiblue]

Build a new high front fence?

Yes; I have thought of that or even a garage out the front. But as I intend selling half my fleet over the next 12 months which will put the balance in enclosed carport or sheds, it's hard to justify the expenditure. Being recently retired it's also time to be more prudent with the cash (and now being home most days observing what probably has been going on a lot longer without me knowing .....and yes probably also being older and more grouchy :-) ).

The neighbours and their kids are mostly very nice so I think I will just have to accept the small bad with the good. The violent ugly parent keeps mostly to himself and generally doesn't even make eye contact with anyone else in the street as I think he know we all know his history

[PimpMyHubcap]

As much as I hate to say it, you need to ignore what they are doing and concentrate on how to keep your fleet safe. How many and are you using all of these cars? Can you put something on the top or sides of the main panels to keep them from being dented?

I have seen mattresses strapped to the top and sides of cars (albeit not super classics or valuable) using a tapegun and turned every week/fortnight. Not practical I know but it did save them.

Cheers
Mick

Edit:

OR plant some "temporary trees" out the front with cheap wire surrounds and pull them out later.

OR just say you have seen a lot of cars pull into the parents place at late night times. maybe not this one.

[Crazy Dazz]

So what do you feel is the problem? The kids or the violent Neanderthal?

[Charliewool]

Got any friends who own Harleys or are members of (you're in WA?) Gypsy Jokers or H.A s?
If so invite em round for a Sunday arvo barbie

[Nova 8]

Honestly yelling at the kids wasn't a good option b, I'd be ****ed if I had kids and some neighbor was yelling at them without approaching me first to discuss the situation and allowing me to yell at them. On the aggression front I would get a few of the boys round and ask again and if he get hyped up deal with him.

Personally id contact the police, this is exactly what police are for, keeping the peace, they are not employed to simply hand out traffic offenses. If they do nothing go in a make a report each day in person and eventually they will get fed up and respond.

[LoudPipes]

Aussieblue that’s a tough one, mate I feel for you.

[aussiblue]

How many and are you using all of these cars?

They are all registered ,roadworthy insured and driven at least occasionally. In varying paint condition though. The plan is to progressively fully restore and sell most of them now I am retired and bought 2 new cars . Something to keep me occupied and out of mischief once I have all the house repairs and improvements the missus wants, done (that's keeping me busy inside at the moment).

They include such cars as a 1963 EH Panel Van that was handed down from my grandfather and father that has only just over100,000miles on it (that I will probably pass on to another relative once I have it in mint condition again) and the NB Fairlane.

I am thinking of just selling the NC Fairlane as is as the annual cost of licence and insurance is more than it could be sold for and it has sill rust, but that is only one of 8 cars here (two sons with one each and my 6). I have the new sills so am tempted to fix it just for the experience and anyway I don't like selling cars that aren't in A1 condition. So all together we have:

1 X 2013 FG XR6 Ute - new on front lawn
1 X 2013 FG XR6 Sedan - new in garage
1 X 1963 EH Holden Panel Van good condition but needs respray and all new rubbers and some minor rust fixed (in the car port under cover)
1 X NB Fairlane - Excellent condition but a respray would improve its appearance - will sell at auction once in mint condition again (front lawn)
1 X NC Fairlane rust in sills, minor dents but everything else OK (front lawn)
1 X 1980 LC Mitsubishi Lancer (in the shed in primer awaiting warmer weather for final respray) otherwise in excellent condition - had this since new and may even keep as despite its puny engine it's still the most fun to drive and has never failed me.
1 X EF Futura (Sons) - under cover in garage
1 X EL Falcon (other son's) front lawn.

I expect I will have most and hopefully all of the ones I intend selling gone by next winter (arthritis means I can't do much outside or in the shed until the weather warms up).

[nuthin' fancy]

Originally Posted by aussiblue

They are all registered ,roadworthy insured and driven at least occasionally. In varying paint condition though. The plan is to progressively fully restore and sell most of them now I am retired and bought 2 new cars . Something to keep me occupied and out of mischief once I have all the house repairs and improvements the missus wants, done (that's keeping me busy inside at the moment).

They include such cars as a 1963 EH Panel Van that was handed down from my grandfather and father that has only just over100,000miles on it (that I will probably pass on to another relative once I have it in mint condition again) and the NB Fairlane.

I am thinking of just selling the NC Fairlane as is as the annual cost of licence and insurance is more than it could be sold for and it has sill rust, but that is only one of 8 cars here (two sons with one each and my 6). I have the new sills so am tempted to fix it just for the experience and anyway I don't like selling cars that aren't in A1 condition. So all together we have:

1 X 2013 FG XR6 Ute - new on front lawn
1 X 2013 FG XR6 Sedan - new in garage
1 X 1963 EH Holden Panel Van good condition but needs respray and all new rubbers and some minor rust fixed (in the car port under cover)
1 X NB Fairlane - Excellent condition but a respray would improve its appearance - will sell at auction once in mint condition again (front lawn)
1 X NC Fairlane rust in sills, minor dents but everything else OK (front lawn)
1 X 1980 LC Mitsubishi Lancer (in the shed in primer awaiting warmer weather for final respray) otherwise in excellent condition - had this since new and may even keep as despite its puny engine it's still the most fun to drive and has never failed me.
1 X EF Futura (Sons) - under cover in garage
1 X EL Falcon (other son's) front lawn.

I expect I will have most and hopefully all of the ones I intend selling gone by next winter (arthritis means I can't do much outside or in the shed until the weather warms up).

8 cars on a suburban block? I'd be unhappy as your neighbour too.

[aussiblue]

... and yes some neighbours (well just 2 including the offender have said something) have indicated that they are ****ed off that I have so many cars on my lawn. They say it detracts from the street and makes the neighbourhood look bogan - perhaps if they were Mercedes instead of Fords they would be happier.

This is Bibra Lake (incidentally Charliewool, Bibra Lake is also unfortunately home to members and clubhouses of numerous bikie gangs including one you mentioned, that I would never have anything to do with) not Dalkeith so I don't think my car ownership numbers materially impacts house values. At the end of the day if I choose to collect cars, especially temporarily, who am I hurting? And who do they come see if their car breaks down or they need similar help; often me. Actually since they have questioned me about it; I have to admit part of me is balking at selling any on principle.

And to put it in perspective we also have a house in the street with several large yachts out the front and that is apparently OK and next door, who I get on well with, has several cars including a very noisy Charger and several motorbikes. And there are also some older rusty unlicensed car hulks sitting on some lawn verges where the owners have only one or two other cars. Within 12 months I should have no cars out the front so that will hopefully solve all these issues. But now I have thought about it I wonder if the football and golf balls is actually a not so subtle strategy being employed to encourage me to downsize my fleet.

[aussiblue]

Honestly yelling at the kids wasn't a good option b, I'd be ****ed if I had kids and some neighbor was yelling at them without approaching me first to discuss the situation and allowing me to yell at them.

b) followed c) so I did try that first.

[aussiblue]

I have seen mattresses strapped to the top and sides of cars (albeit not super classics or valuable) using a tapegun and turned every week/fortnight. Not practical I know but it did save them.

Sound like a good way to encourage rust.

I do have a large bluegum out the front that I park the cars under and it does provide some level of protection - also prevents hail damage as I found a few years. Some neighbours don't like my large native trees either albeit they were provided by the shire when we built in 1980 and the shire doesn't want them removed so the native tree streetscape is preserved.

[pottery beige]

Walk out front and have a kick with them

Mention this is ****, let's go down the park

Go down park, kick footy, bit of graffiti, smash up playground, sniff paint, break in to school and pinch stuff

Heaps more funs than kicking footy in your street

[FPVS3]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

Walk out front and have a kick with them

Mention this is ****, let's go down the park

Go down park, kick footy, bit of graffiti, smash up playground, sniff paint, break in to school and pinch stuff

Heaps more funs than kicking footy in your street

Yup, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Not helpful I know.

[GasoLane]

Love to see a photo of your 'Car Yard'

[chriso89]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

Walk out front and have a kick with them

Mention this is ****, let's go down the park

Go down park, kick footy, bit of graffiti, smash up playground, sniff paint, break in to school and pinch stuff

Heaps more funs than kicking footy in your street

whilst the kids are in said school ramsacking stuff sneak away and call the fuzz - maybe plant some drugs on them before sneaking away, this should keep them tied up in the juvy system for a little while, and with the fathers history the police would likely blame him for the drugs thus eliminating your entire problem in one swoop.

Haha. Probably not too practical though.

Kids are easily swayed though so maybe trying to have a kick with them would sort it or if you bought them a new footy on the proviso that they don't kick it out front of your joint.

Bit of a pickle mate - I hate other people's kids i probably would have glued a hundred dollar bill in the middle of the closest highway and then advised them of it by now lol (obviously i am not serious).

Chris.

[mik]

Originally Posted by chriso89

whilst the kids are in said school ramsacking stuff sneak away and call the fuzz - maybe plant some drugs on them before sneaking away, this should keep them tied up in the juvy system for a little while, and with the fathers history the police would likely blame him for the drugs thus eliminating your entire problem in one swoop.

Haha. Probably not too practical though.

Kids are easily swayed though so maybe trying to have a kick with them would sort it or if you bought them a new footy on the proviso that they don't kick it out front of your joint.

Bit of a pickle mate - I hate other people's kids i probably would have glued a hundred dollar bill in the middle of the closest highway and then advised them of it by now lol (obviously i am not serious).

Chris.

been there and tried all that Chris...... does not always work mate.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

Walk out front and have a kick with them

this.

just be friendly and have a kick with them. it will defuse the situation pretty quick if you get on with them. they will get over trying to annoy you if you dont react.

and apart from the new ute, all the others apparently need a respray, so would it really matter if a wayward ball hit one?

kids will be kids. they are just doing what kids do (well, used to do), although given most of the responses to this thread, it seems not many members used to do kid stuff either.

[GREGL]

Originally Posted by prydey

this.

just be friendly and have a kick with them. it will defuse the situation pretty quick if you get on with them. they will get over trying to annoy you if you dont react.

and apart from the new ute, all the others apparently need a respray, so would it really matter if a wayward ball hit one?

kids will be kids. they are just doing what kids do (well, used to do), although given most of the responses to this thread, it seems not many members used to do kid stuff either.

Agree totally , yep in the old days you would go out for a kick but it wasn't the football . it was their butt and nine times out of ten the parents would be in agreement . Suppose it was how you were brought up . Respect . He is retired why should he have to be a childminder / father figure ? I reckon if any one was in the same position they would be bitching too . Dropkick parents breed dropkick kids end of story .
That's why shows like Housos is all the rage , acting like a f/wit is considered a badge of honour nowadays .

[aussiblue]

I think a recent report in the West Australia that, in the context of Ford and GMH planned end to Oz production, mentioned that Bibra Lake was in the top three Falcon and Commodore owning suburbs has exacerbated the anti cars views; there is a perception that Bibra Lake was being identified as a Bogan suburb because of the number of Commodores and Falcons in Bibra Lake and perhaps I am making a disproportionate contribution to those stats.

[Motorbreath310]

Originally Posted by aussiblue

I actually held off taking it up with him as I was concerned he would attack his kids

Two birds. One stone.

[buggerlugs]

Wow, you actually know kids that go outside ?? Had their computer broken down, No Facebook ?? No internet............

[Motorbreath310]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

Wow, you actually know kids that go outside ?? Had their computer broken down, No Facebook ?? No internet............

Such a travesty, what you mention. Kids that whinge and moan because they have no ipad or whatever to suckle on. Even toddlers. Then the parents have the cheek to complain when their 2-6 year-old wrecks their expensive smartphone!

Thankfully, a lot of people are aware of this and will hopefully stick to limiting their future childrens exposure to tablets etc. aside from when it's required for school or something.

[aussiblue]

Ok on reflection I did yell at them over the 1st golf ball incident before talking to the parents. But when you are in your own back yard minding your own business and you and one of your cars is suddenly showered with high velocity golf balls the reaction is somewhat involuntary with the objective of immediate self protection and prevention.

[Nova 8]

Either get rid of a few cars, move em round the back, contact the cops, buddy up to the a-hole neighbor or get a bat and duke it out. Pretty much the options you have there, if he is in a rental maybe get him turfed out.

[danzvtil]

I feel your pain, in my last house, a feral family with 5 kids moved in across the road, drinkers, smokers, Centrelink CEOS all of them. The youngest 3 aged 4-7 would run around all day and night yelling screaming with no shoes and barely any clothes.
Anyway, my rio was a week old when horror number 2 ran onto the road and pegged at full force a toy in the air in the direction of my car. When I politely told him not to do that, the mum who overheard the whole interaction got grumpy at ME for daring to say something.
I realized that this type of person gets off on causing trouble and making others feel uncomfortable.

[Franco Cozzo]

I don't have that problem, because they think I'm the crazy one, I work outside on cars in my pyjamas and if someone drives past and looks I stare back at them until they look away.

No one wants their kids around that scruffy looking weirdo who is outside in his pyjamas staring at people.

If only I could stop Indians trying to sell me power somehow.

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I don't have that problem, because they think I'm the crazy one, I work outside on cars in my pyjamas and if someone drives past and looks I stare back at them until they look away.

No one wants their kids around that scruffy looking weirdo who is outside in his pyjamas staring at people.

If only I could stop Indians trying to sell me power somehow.

is that you rolf?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

is that you rolf?

Pretty much minus the kiddie fiddling and sexual assault.