Kids throwing rocks at windows nearly everyday. Won't stop.

Kids throwing rocks at windows nearly everyday. Won't stop.

Rental Property Investor · Canton, OH · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I've run into something I haven't had to deal with in the past. Not sure if there's much else I can do, but wanted to post what's going on here to see if I'm missing anything.

About a month ago 2 kids (maybe 14 years old) who get off the school bus 2 houses down, started throwing rocks at one my rentals. They've been doing it at least 1-2 times a week in broad daylight around the same time. So far they've shattered an 8 ft picture window (it's currently boarded up). 2 storm windows, and another bedroom window. On top of that, they put holes in the siding every time they miss a window. Tenant swears she's done nothing to provoke them. She did say she thinks it's intentional because it's happened to neighbors in the past. She also said an older guy came to her house around the time this started asking for money and she turned him down. His kids perhaps?

So far, I installed a solar Ring camera facing the back of the house (they have snuck around there in the past). She also just installed a Vivint? Security system where the doorbell sees the bus stop and the front of her property. There are also sensors on her doors and windows now. We have at least 6 police reports filed and video of them running away when they saw me sitting on the front step. Nothing of them throwing the rocks yet because each time they see someone now they run away. They always have covid masks on too. The city assigned a detective, and I thought this would be an easy thing to resolve since we know they get off the bus (some days) at the same time/spot. Unfortunately, this keeps dragging on and they continue to harass this tenant and destroy the property.

Should I tell the tenant to let them throw a couple rocks so we can finally get them on video?

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Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
4y

Why not try hiring a private detective to follow the kids home and then turn them into the Police (file a lawsuit against the parents, and a restraining order against the 14 year olds).

You only need to find the home of one, and he will Rat Out the rest under the (perceived) "third Degree" questioning by the Police Officers.

They might still throw rocks, but at least you can get a handle on it some what.

Maybe a witch lives there, or a monster, or a ghost--who knows--it's kids..(???)

Good Luck!

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  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    4y

    I had a duplex in a rough part of town. There were wood chips around the property. I told the tenant I may replace with rock. He told me the previous owner removed the rock, because kids were throwing the rocks at cars. If the rocks are coming from your property, removing them may help.

    I would be very frustrated that the police refuse to do anything. With video of the students and a bus stop location, this is an easy case to solve. I would ask to meet with the police chief or consider using social media. Post bus stop location and photos from the video footage requesting help. I would send the photos to the principal of the school and ask for their help. I would also contact the bus company. You could even talk to the bus driver at the stop. Basically just say, "Students from this bus are vandalizing my property. I have video of them and I am looking for assistance in identifying them." You can also walk the neighborhood with photos of the kids and explain you are trying to identify them. 

    I would avoid contact directly with minors. Unfortunately at the age of 14 there is little consequences even if they are caught. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    I'd go with @Scott Mac's recommendation.

    Since you know approximately when they will arrive, you can ask the police to stake it out. Perhaps plainclothes officers can catch them on video in the act and you can ask them to bring vandalism charges.

    Your insurance company may be able to offer financial assistance for surveillance and litigation / prosecution of any charges or lawsuits.

    My $0.02 ...

  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y

    @Account Closed   you are saying it has happened in the neighborhood before. What stopped it?   Hopefully the schools will help. Kids can be put off the bus for misbehavior on the bus but probably not once they get off.  Other neighborhood people can sometimes give you a name.   I guess this may be a tougher area because the cops where we used to live would stop based on a suspicious person call.  My sons were stopped a couple times. Rock throwing should qualify for some police intervention. 

    I can't help but think of those kids that were throwing rocks over overpasses and it killed someone. Let us know how you make out.

  • Rental Property Investor · Canton, OH · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @David Dachtera

    The detective was there one day, but the kids were not on the bus. I'm basically being told they are looking into it, but at the same time being told how short staffed they are. Yhey also said that the time this is happening is right when they do shift changes, which only leaves 1 or 2 officers available.

    I'm hoping to hear something from the bus garages today.

  • Rental Property Investor · Canton, OH · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Colleen F.

    It happened to the next door neighbor in the past. He said it just stopped all of a sudden. But he did let the trees and bushes overgrow the front of his house, so now all the windows are protected.

  • Wale LawalBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    You need surveillance cameras 24/7 and a sign notifying people you have cameras. Keep calling the police when something happens to have a record of all incidents. Hopefully, they will get the memo this way.

  • Houston · Member since 2018 · 55 posts · 24 votes
    4y

    @CJ M. The Vivint alarm system can be set up to make particular noises when the camera detects a person. Have the tenant adjust the setting as perhaps a deterrent. Best of luck!

  • Rental Property Investor · Canton, OH · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Wale Lawal

    Yes, that's been/being done

  • Rental Property Investor · Canton, OH · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Zack Berridge

    Thanks, good to know!

  • Real Estate Agent · Mesa, AZ · Member since 2017 · 237 posts · 170 votes
    4y

    Throw them back

  • Rob PattisonPro Member
    Specialist · Hermosa Beach, CA · Member since 2016 · 94 posts · 55 votes
    4y

    Making an appointment to meet the principle of the school, once you identify the culprits might work.

    Two years ago, I had to step in when my sister was being stalked and the cops weren't very helpful.   I contacted the district attorney's office, in writing, and was able to get a solution shortly afterwards.

  • Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    @David Dachtera

    The detective was there one day, but the kids were not on the bus. I'm basically being told they are looking into it, but at the same time being told how short staffed they are. Yhey also said that the time this is happening is right when they do shift changes, which only leaves 1 or 2 officers available.

    I'm hoping to hear something from the bus garages today.

    Had another thought, also. What's the chances of putting up a privacy fence around it so high they can't see or throw?

  • Matthew Irish-JonesBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Buffalo, NY · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Account Closed If they are doing it at the same time in broad day light... confront them. 

    Irish Jones Realty4.948 Reviews
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  • Rental Property Investor · Canton, OH · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Matthew Irish-Jones

    As of now, it appears there is an older gentleman who made it clear to tenant that he has a gun on him. He sometimes hangs back while these kids do it. I want to be very careful with this situation

  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    4y
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    @Matthew Irish-Jones

    As of now, it appears there is an older gentleman who made it clear to tenant that he has a gun on him. He sometimes hangs back while these kids do it. I want to be very careful with this situation

     Well this is next level - an adult with a gun threatening your tenant and coercing minors into vandalizing a property. Call the police and make it clear that their continued inaction is unacceptable. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Canton, OH · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Joe Splitrock

    Yes, it's been done. Multiple reports filed so far

  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    4y
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    @Joe Splitrock

    Yes, it's been done. Multiple reports filed so far

     You told the police that someone with a gun threatened your tenant and they are not even willing to interview a bus driver or interview kids at the bus stop? Something doesn't make sense here. 

  • JD MartinBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    4y

    What you need is one of these:

    Skyline Properties
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  • WI · Member since 2019 · 77 posts · 10 votes
    4y

    a little personal dont you think? .. anyways yeah cameras and dilligence. Once you catch one of them they'll rat the others. 

  • Matthew Irish-JonesBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Buffalo, NY · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Account Closed   What a world we are living in!!!

    Irish Jones Realty4.948 Reviews
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  • Rental Property Investor · Canton, OH · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Joe Splitrock

    When I spoke to the detective today, he said he was going to followup with the school bus garage. I'm also still waiting to hear back from the school.

    Regarding the guy with a gun. It was brought to the detectives attention as well. The challenge is, we don't have a good picture of him yet...and he isn't always around. Also, he didn't threaten the tenant perse, he just made a comment that he "bumped his gun with his arm" while they were talking (i.e. he was asking her for money). Yes, intimidation, but right now it's our word vs his...and again we don't even know who he is or where he lives...heck he could be the parent of the kids for all we know!

  • Rental Property Investor · Brooke Park Drive · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    This calls for broken windows policing

  • Rental Property Investor · NJ · Member since 2020 · 60 posts · 16 votes
    4y

    Is it possible to put up some kind of fencing so that they cannot damage the property? I'm guessing that the property is in a bad area? 

  • Rental Property Investor · Canton, OH · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Mark Berge

    Not the best area C-. Even if there was a fence, the house sits up a bit, so they could still hit the windows unfortunately.

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Wellington OH (Cleveland) · Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes
    4y

    @CJ M. So I’m not sure if I missed something, but why hasn’t anyone called the police???

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