Mean Old Lady On the Corner

[ithildin]

That's me. I'm always running kids off our property, they cut across the empty lot behind and cut across our drive. So tonight, it happens again, so out I go telling them to not do it - that's when I see what looks like a handgun, and another kid has what looks like a shotgun. By this time, I'm already telling them to scoot, so I yell back to Nin to call the police because they have guns, and then the kids shout 'run!' and scatter. Now, I realize the guns were probably not real, but those kids could get themselves shot by people with real guns. It's twilight, they're teenagers, they're trespassing, and this is an area with a reputation for meth labs - like many rural communities. So, we did call dispatch and reported it, and just a bit ago a sheriff came by to talk to me and said I did the right thing. I told him I want those kids to reach 16, and yeah, I'm from California, so maybe I'm a little paranoid, but kids get shot carrying fake guns. He said it happens here too, and he doesn't want to be the one to respond to the scene with a dead kid and a fake gun. I'm not kidding, these guns looked real - not like toys. The sheriff said that's what's popular and it's a real problem. Guns are not toys, and should be treated with respect.

And to think all I wanted to do was eat my dinner and watch Grey's Anatomy. Damn kids - get off my lawn!

Comments

[catyuy.livejournal.com]

I don't understand kids wanting guns.
Especially fake ones that look real.
The only guns I ever wanted were water guns (which I wasn't allowed to use in the house) and cap guns (which didn't look real and since we lived in a nice neighborhood in the city I wasn't allowed to have at all.)
Did you hear about the real guns that now come in PINK!!!!

[lara-everlong.livejournal.com]

kids get shot carrying fake guns

Yes they do. Here too. You were right to call the police.

[pat-t.livejournal.com]

That is just horrible. I've heard of kids getting shot before because they point one of these things at a police officer and don't put it down when told. It isnt' until after the kid is shot that the police find out it isn't real. When someone has a weapon, you have to assume it's real.

On the other hand, I guess I'm glad I live out in such a rural community that my only neighbors are my sister and her mother-in-law. No kids.

[dj-aida.livejournal.com]

That's scary. They could have just as well had real guns.

[birggitt.livejournal.com]

This is so upsetting! Because they could have had real guns, for once, and because they could get killed for play with fake guns.
Luckily, we don't have a lot of armed teenage problems here. But, of course, that doesn't means there are no problems at all. Alcohol is the big baddie in this lands, and I feel like crying when I saw those kids (13, 14 years) laying in the streets, deep drunk :(

[layla-aaron.livejournal.com]

I have to agree that would be scary to see kids with (fake) guns in my yard. If they look realistic enough, you wonder why they have them or want them, but you also worry that it will get them shot. I'm glad you called the police. *hugs*

[megdala.livejournal.com]

Good for you! You shouldn't feel Scrooge-like at all.

You have to wonder whose parents think "My kid wants to carry around a fake gun. Sure, kid! Good idea!"

[pezgirl7.livejournal.com]

That's scary, but how do you know they were fake? Maybe they were BB guns.

[tpena19.livejournal.com]

Scary. Of couse I wouldn't have assumed they were fake at all, I hope they were, but still that is dangerous too. Glad you were all okay, and nothing bad happened.

[anya2112.livejournal.com]

I have the same problem here. I live in a courtyard with sidewalks and the kids are out til past 10 pm riding their scooters and skateboards. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard. I yell at the little bastards all the time. I've even yelled at some of the stupid, irresponsible shite parents.
And,they seem to think my patio is an art studio. I get home from work and find chalk art all the fraking time. Hello, private property asshole.