There is one road leading into my neighborhood. This road carries the traffic for several single family homes as well as a large townhouse complex, meaning it’s pretty heavily travelled. A state trooper lives here, and she has a couple of 13-ish year old boys. These children frequently play in the road in front of her house (most frequently, it’s hockey). The area they play in is up a hill and around a slight bend, so it’s not exactly easy to see them.
These boys are arrogant foul-mouthed little …people. They take their time getting out of the way, swing their sticks at the cars that go by, yell “Fuck you!” at anyone that dares hit the horn at them. They’re not nice.
My wife finally had enough of it over the weekend, and went to talk to their mother (remember, a state trooper).
She said that she intentionally sends them out in the road to slow people down :eek: It was actually her position that people drive too fast down that road, and she tells her kids to play in the street to slow people down. She sees no problem with this because she “grew up in a city.” When pressed about their prick-ish behavior, she simply said “They do what they’re supposed to”.
Coming up the hill, there is no posted speed limit sign. The city-wide speed limit is 30. Anyone coming up for the first time will not know the speed limit is lower, nor will they know that they may have to contend with some dumb kids and their idiot mother-cop. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. There are several open units and homes for sale, so there is plenty of first time traffic, not to mention several late teen to early twenties idiots who will never drive their ass-gettin’ rides at 15 MPH.
This woman, who should have seen enough child fatalities first hand to know better, is using her children as human speed bumps. I think she’s insane, as do many of the other parents I associate with.
The poll: Given this situation, what is a group of concerned citizens to do?
She is a cop. There isn’t much you can do. They have the power that comes with the badge and gun. I would just play nice and put up with it. It doesn’t sound like it’s worth it to make this woman your enemy.
I second the idea of filing some sort of report with the police, or maybe circulating a petition and getting the county involved. Are there stats on that stretch of road? I remember from traffic school that you can ask for some sort of report (don’t remember the name) that is an assessment of the safety of any given road/street/corner (it’s how they determine speed limits in the first place). Maybe research it a little. Also, if she’s a state trooper, then you might have more luck with the local P.D. The woman is clearly nuts so I wouldn’t openly antagonize her or the kids but there must be an end-around option available.
The only thing that worries me about the local PD option is that it might come back to haunt me (assuming some paranoia induced good ole-boy type cops instead of real law enforcement officers)
I’d suggest a report to the local police. You can’t do anything about idiot girl sending her kids to play in the road, but you can file a report about the kids blocking the right of way, shouting at motorists, etc.
I CAN tell you this: If one of her brats gets cited, mom will probably get a ration of crap from HER bosses, which would be fun. You can certainly make an anonymous report to the PD or request that your name is withheld.
I’d suggest a report to the local police. You can’t do anything about idiot girl sending her kids to play in the road, but you can file a report about the kids blocking the right of way, shouting at motorists, etc.
I CAN tell you this: If one of her brats gets cited, mom will probably get a ration of crap from HER bosses, which would be fun. You can certainly make an anonymous report to the PD or request that your name is withheld.
I’d get some video of the kids behaving poorly before I filed any official reports.
Also–I think you’d have better luck with the Child Services than the PD. Less chance of her “squashing” it, and it’s really more of a child welfare issue than a criminal one.
Good luck :dubious:
But I disagree wtih child services. They really can’t do anything unless they witness the mother deliberatly endangering the kids. Telling child protective services that she said something is totally useless, CPS employees will be unable to do anything other than tell the psycho girl that she should keep a better eye on the little monsters.
However, the behavior of the kids is a criminal act. I know, because I got arrested at age 13 for doing something similar. The kids will get cited, and mom will probably get a reprimand at work. Law enforcement is a profession that does not take kindly to immediate family members getting arrested.
If the house is in the city, make sure you call the city cops. While there is professional courtesy, I can assure you that it will not extend to juvenile hoodlums.
bella just beat me to it…
I’d go back with a camcorder and repeat your request. Either she’ll sing a different tune and be hesitant to continue acting above the law or you’ll have to evidence to prove your case with the police.
Either way, I’m just aghast that either a mother or a trooper would be so callous and arrogant. What a damn bitch.
How about putting an ad in the newspaper that says: “Since so-and-so intentionally sends her kids out into the street to act as human speed bumps and swear at passing cars, and despite the fact that I try my best to avoid them and have talked with their mother, I shall not be held responsible if I accidentally hit them one night.” Give her a copy of the ad. Then hit them.
