Re: Idiot neighbors & their ne\'redo\'ell children!
First my sympathy, life is too short for conflict, darn.
I would go with an official police report for one important reason. It this is evidence of a flawed character the sooner the record is started the better off everyone is. I was once criticized for turning in an eight year old for acting "nasty" with some of the little girls in the neighborhood. He was just being a "boy".
I figured if he was being a "boy" then he'd grow out of it and the record would die on it's own. However, if it was to be a pattern of misbehavior then the pattern would be visible to the authorities.
Go for the police report.
My next step would be a letter to ALL the members of the association explaining as accurately as possible what happened, who was involved, action taken, and estimated damage done and it's value. I would be as accurate and nonjudgemental as possible.
Just the facts mam, alert the neighbors.
I would avoid all childish and ignorant actions of retribution.
First, good people aren't good at it. You dump tacks and chances are an ambulance rushing to save your best bud gets there first.
Feuds while fun aren't profitable.
The letter will accomplish two important things in my mind. They will alert the neighbors to the potential bad behavior of these two boys together. They will be watched a lot more closely. And just as importantly the message will get out to the kids and parents that the number one deterrant to misbehavior, shame, is out and about.
Again, it's too bad things like this happen. It's almost like some behaviors are genetic. You see a screaming child running out of control at the grocery store. And nine times out of eight you'll see a parent out of control too. Good kids seem to have good parents.
I don't recommend a feud. The hill you die on might not be the one you chose. Take advantage of the law and understand knowledge is power, for you, and your neighbors.
