Do I call, or don't call?

[Colorado Cajun]

Originally Posted by merlot

Mitch,

Another thing you can try to do is keep a camcorder available if you hear him and record him going down the the street. Then turn that into the police.

I'll keep that one in the bag of tricks if it continues. Haven't seen you here in awhile. I hope all is well. We need to get the 4 of us together again and plan a ride before summer ends.

[merlot]

Yea, should try for next weekend to get a ride in. I can try to email Teach to see if he's available if it'll work for you.

[MagnumForce]

I believe Cajun took the correct course of action. IMO, the squid performing stupid tricks on a neighborhood street presents a clear and present danger to those around him. As posted earlier, hopefully enough complaints from the neighbors will get at least one squad car to patrol the neighborhood as a deterrence. Video footages from more than one neighborhood source may help reinforce that complaint. Personally, whether the squid kills himself as a result of his actions are no concern of mine. He can always explain his actions to the deity of his choice upon completion of his funeral service. I do, however, have a problem if innocent children are killed or injured for nothing other than just wanting to go outside and play!

[jkersh]

Originally Posted by EZridr1

I believe Cajun took the correct course of action. IMO, the squid performing stupid tricks on a neighborhood street presents a clear and present danger to those around him. As posted earlier, hopefully enough complaints from the neighbors will get at least one squad car to patrol the neighborhood as a deterrence. Video footages from more than one neighborhood source may help reinforce that complaint. Personally, whether the squid kills himself as a result of his actions are no concern of mine. He can always explain his actions to the deity of his choice upon completion of his funeral service. I do, however, have a problem if innocent children are killed or injured for nothing other than just wanting to go outside and play!

+1


We have people drag race between two bridges (exactly 1/4 mile) just down the road from my house. If I am in danger or my family you had better bet your ass I am going to do something about it. Sometimes just saying something to the people doesnt work. Police presence is sometimes a very good thing whether they do something or not.

just my 2¢

[Clint]

Originally Posted by jkersh

Sometimes just saying something to the people doesnt work.

More often than when waving a badge around doesn't? It's a crapshoot either way, and the private approach is the more diplomatic one, if that's an option.

Let's make one thing clear: the government does not allow teenagers to drive cars because they're mature enough to do so - they do it because Americans demand their "freedom". Just look at many of the Euro nations for examples of governments that set laws based on more realistic maturity levels. You can't drive many places over there until you're 18, and even then it's a much more rigorous process.

Just because a person's old enough to have a license doesn't mean he's mentally mature. This categorical, tough-guy approach is part of what's wrong with this country. You all spout off about how bad teenagers are, but you're not interested in getting involved short of calling the cops. How does that help the larger social issue? It's just too easy to pass the buck.

I had a horrible time with the teenagers who moved into the house next door last summer. They drank, talked loudly until the wee hours, had multiple obnixious dogs and generally trashed the place. After repeated discussions with the young owner, he's since ejected the rowdies, worked with the remaining dog to keep it quiet, and cleaned up the place. I credit some of the turnaround to the fact that I talked to him rather than just firing off calls to the cops (which I did resort to on at least one occasion).

You can complain about people all you want, but if you don't want to get involved, you aren't helping. You're just building more and more isolating barriers in what's already a fragmented society. Look to urban sprawl for confirmation of that trend. No one wants neighbors anymore. They all want their own little world where they control everything without having to interact with anyone. It's not good.

BTW, CC indicated that the kid accelerated to maybe 40... hardly a street drag. Most of the traffic around here goes that fast anyway. Let's not brand the kid a renegade just yet, since the only real offense is wheeliing, and that can be corrected with a little education.
After all, I was trying to wheelie my first bike on the sidestreets only 10 years ago. Am I an outlaw?

[geoffsimpson]

[quote=RowdyRed94
You can complain about people all you want, but if you don't want to get involved, you aren't helping. You're just building more and more isolating barriers in what's already a fragmented society. Look to urban sprawl for confirmation of that trend. No one wants neighbors anymore. They all want their own little world where they control everything without having to interact with anyone. It's not good.

QUOTE]

[Shea]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

More often than when waving a badge around doesn't? It's a crapshoot either way, and the private approach is the more diplomatic one, if that's an option.

Let's make one thing clear: the government does not allow teenagers to drive cars because they're mature enough to do so - they do it because Americans demand their "freedom". Just look at many of the Euro nations for examples of governments that set laws based on more realistic maturity levels. You can't drive many places over there until you're 18, and even then it's a much more rigorous process.

Not true. Like I said earlier, driving is not a right, it's a privilage. When you take away someone's privailage to drive, you are not taking away any freedom.

Also, in many of those countries, they allow younger kids to ride on small motorcycles. I think at the age of 15 or even younger, they are allowed to ride up to 50-100cc or something like that, it just increases with age. In many of these countries, small motorcycles (scooters), bicycles and public transportation are the most popular modes of transport, so by not allowing them to drive until a later age affects them very little.

[MagnumForce]

Originally Posted by Shea

Not true. Like I said earlier, driving is not a right, it's a privilage. When you take away someone's privailage to drive, you are not taking away any freedom.

Sorry Rowdy, but I have to agree with the above statement. If driving a vehicle was truly a right, there wouldn't be a need for licenses or tests to obtain said licenses. For a potential driver to obtain driving privileges, he/she must demonstrate some level of competency via state-mandated tests. Freedom and rights are not, and should not, be an issue.

[Xerses]

I think you did the right thing by reporting it. He needs to be talked to by an authority that will make some sort of impression, even if he does not get a ticket. The fact that he is a teenager with no sense of responsibility is "normal" as I am sure we have all done stupid sh*t as teens. I know I have. One thing to consider is, as said above, he might not give a crap and this all stems from the parents and how he was raised. In the end you did what is right and now it's up to the police.

BTW. What is MSF Basic and MSF Advanced?

[Rickster]

When I was growing up, if you got on the wrong side of the local teenage hooligan, the worst that might happen, is that you would get your house egged. Now a days it's tires slashed, houses started on fire, and drive by shootings. Now I'm not saying this kid is a hooligan, but he might be that and more, you really don't know.

Best to let the cops handle it, some people on here seem to think that's not getting involved, I disagree, I think that is the correct way to be involved. There are articles in the paper every day about direct involvement that turns bad!

[stp1971]

Flick a booger at him and smile!!!! Kids are kids. When he zips by the next time if the cops don't get to him first,, wait by the street with a Budweiser in hand, while sitting in a lawn chair, next to a lit Citronella torch, and a Daisy Red Rider BB gun. When he approaches flag him down,, if he stops talk to him. If he doesn't pop him in the back of the helmet with the BB gun.


OK PEOPLE................That was a joke. No BB's should be harmed while performing this maneuver. Just flick a booger on him.

[RelicRider]

I like the "throw a rock idea.... I 've wanted to do it in my neiborhood for years.
We have people that speed down our street as a thru way to the college.
The police will tell you we sometimes only know about it when someone tells us. Usually they come to take care of the cleanup. A job none of them want. Make the call, and if he continues tell he to make his organ donation out on the hiway not in your neiborhood.

[Clint]

I didn't say driving was a right. Some of you need to read more carefully. Rickster, those articles are about bad involvement going badly. They won't deter me from trying to do the right thing. For that matter, I don't read the local newspaper. It's just a sensationalistic rag.

[techgesture]

Forget the fact that its a teenager...

Fact of the matter is he (or she) is endangering everyone around him because he is not being responsible.

You are not his father.... it is not YOUR responsibility to teach him values, to respect other peoples lives.

If you go out there, waving your arms to "talk" to him... this kid, obviously a beginner... gets scared and falls over... then you'll feel bad.



Again ---- FORGET THAT ITS A "KID". It doesn't matter. Peoples lives are being endangered.

[Colorado Cajun]

Originally Posted by techgesture

Forget the fact that its a teenager...

Fact of the matter is he (or she) is endangering everyone around him because he is not being responsible.

You are not his father.... it is not YOUR responsibility to teach him values, to respect other peoples lives.

If you go out there, waving your arms to "talk" to him... this kid, obviously a beginner... gets scared and falls over... then you'll feel bad.



Again ---- FORGET THAT ITS A "KID". It doesn't matter. Peoples lives are being endangered.

Well said!



Rowdy, About two months ago I was traveling on a different street in my neighborhood doing 20 MPH. All of a sudden I see a ball roll out from in front of a parked car. I hit my breaks hard not knowing if a child was going to run out after it and I thank God I did. Sure enough a child probably about 5 years old ran out on the street after it and never looked. I came to a complete stop and that scared the crap out of me. If I had been doing 40 MPH's I would have ran that kid over. I'm sure when your son is of age to be playing in the front yard, your feelings will change about people speeding on a residential street. I have a 6 year old girl who likes to play in the front yard sometimes.

[Zero-G]

The problem with these kids is the "too much butter" effect. They have everything and respect nothing and their brain is less then of my german shepherd's. The 8 year olds will be 16 or 18 before you know it and they will do the same crap.

The solution is to let them deal on their own and let nature take its place or better yet, sell them at a early age and not only will you profit from it but the bought ones will pay and have more attention; and that is if you tell them that you need a refund every time they screw up.

Case closed.

[buechee]

Have you tried to talk to him? You are a biker. He might listen to you and stop the madness.

[geoffsimpson]

Looks like it's you and me Rowdy. We obvoiusly all have our opinions as to what's the best thing to do...I think we need to whats in our nature to do. Perhaps Rowdy and I are just a TAD bit more confrontational than some of you fella's . No harm no fowl, pretty damn passionate conversation tho wouldn't you all agree?

[Rickster]

Rowdy, I'm not trying to drter you from doing the right thing, in fact, I sugusted it.

[BlaznBlu]

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

No harm, no fowl

Sounds like the motto for Kentucky Fried Chicken


I am also surprised at the amount of discussion this thread generated in such a short time.

Still stand by my original thoughts though, after all of this.

Try to find a responsible person that the squid might relate to, not one of us old farts on a cruiser, but someone on a sport bike closer to his age range. Buy the guy some pizza or wings if he would attempt to try to talk to the squid. Have him hang out around the time the squid usually comes by, and after he just "happens to notice his riding while in the area", see if he can impart some non-judgemental wisdom upon said rider.

My father used a similar style approach when I was in high school, playing basketball, hanging with a less-than-desirable crowd. Met someone who was able to communicate with a little different approach, and later, introduced me to some others to play ball with. Really opened some doors for me.

It is also a good idea to have law enforcement involved. This shouldn't be the first time they have had to intervene like this, but they have to know there is a need there.

But nobody is advising you to handle this yourself. I'd hate to see tires slashed, houses started on fire, and drive by shootings for flicking you boogers at someone.