neighbor kids playing soccer in shared driveway, bouncing ball off my house/vehicles (pools, window)
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Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
4,640 posts, read 11,930,296 times
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I share a driveway with 5 other houses. The driveway is not even two lanes, just a simple one lane, very short road. My problem is that a family (they are renters) just moved in with 4 boys. These boys, along with another neighbor's son, play soccer in the driveway. So far, every single house and most vehicles have been hit by the soccer ball. So far, no damage; but it's only a matter of time. My other neighbors aren't aware of this, because they are still at work when it happens.
When I'm not home, these kids are also playing in my driveway. I know this because a friend down the street told me about it.
The kids are around 10-14 years of age. I went outside after the latest hit and they apologized. I then told them this driveway isn't appropriate to play soccer and told them they should play at the park down the street. I'm pretty sure they ignored me.
At this point, should I approach the parents? Since it's a shared driveway, I'm not entirely sure how to word this. I am buying a security camera, though, because if my house or vehicle is damaged, they are paying for it. Anyway, how would you handle it?
I would speak to the parents directly and ask them politely to tell their kids to play elsewhere. I wouldn't get a security camera- that seems a bit overboard.
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
4,640 posts, read 11,930,296 times
Reputation: 9885
Quote:
Originally Posted by Qwerty
I would speak to the parents. It's possible they don't know it's happening either. Do you have a garage to park in or just the driveway?
No garage. All I have is two parking spaces that are off the shared driveway. I can't imagine the parents don't know about it. The bouncing is loud and I've seen the parents look out the window. Ah, the joys of suburbia.
I don't blame you for being concerned, cars and siding can suffer real damage from hits like this. Plus, it is good that they apologized, but that won't necessarily stop this type incident from continuing.
I also do not blame you for your concern about them playing in your driveway....Lots of liability for you...And, they certainly didn't ask your permission...Red flag for me. One of the reasons that I encourage you to install your cameras.
I would always address the parents, never the children, people can get very upset when virtual strangers try to impose rules on their children. Plus, you never know what lil Jr. may say that you said...Just best to be communicating directly to their parents.
If I were you, I'd inform the other residents and you all should discuss what to do. Safety in numbers so to speak.
I have seen enough of these threads to know this could turn into a nightmare and you would become the center of attention.
Is there anything you can do to block the balls from your cars?? Some kind of rolling barrier or something?
Here folks put up hockey goal fencing at the ends of the streets...Not sure if that would work for your neighborhood.
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
4,640 posts, read 11,930,296 times
Reputation: 9885
Quote:
Originally Posted by JanND
I don't blame you for being concerned, cars and siding can suffer real damage from hits like this. Plus, it is good that they apologized, but that won't necessarily stop this type incident from continuing.
I would always address the parents, never the children, people can get very upset when virtual strangers try to impose rules on their children. Plus, you never know what lil Jr. may say that you said...Just best to be communicating directly to their parents.
If I were you, I'd inform the other residents and you all should discuss what to do. Safety in numbers so to speak.
I have seen enough of these threads to know this could turn into a nightmare and you would become the center of attention.
I would go ahead and put in your cameras, no reason not to.
Is there anything you can do to block the balls from your cars?? Some kind of rolling barrier or something?
Here folks put up hockey goal fencing at the ends of the streets...Not sure if that would work for your neighborhood.
Thanks, good points.
I spoke to the kids directly (normally I don't) because I truly had no idea what had hit my house. They actually hit an upstairs bathroom window that scared the heck out of me. I ran outside to see what it was and saw them.
I do NOT want this to turn into a big deal. The two families (one is a home owner and the other the renter) already have an alliance b/c of the kids.
I wish I had some way to block the balls, but there isn't a way to do that.
I'm definitely going with the camera.
The thing that drives me crazy is that I've heard the one dad specifically tell the kids to stay away from his house and vehicles.
You are seeing the negatives. Some of the positives-
The houses and cars are much less likely to be burgled with kids visible out front playing at odd hours.
Kids playing in the drive aren't going to be meeting up with drug dealers in the park.
The damage a soccer ball can do to a car, other than a dirty smudge, is minimal. If it could do serious damage, I would question how that car would fare in a real accident.
Soccer might not be the best sport for the drive, I agree. A basketball hoop or two might involve less bouncing of balls against cars. I'm sure you can remember the old "Dennis the Menace" cartoons and shows where kids hit baseballs through windows. Count your blessings, and if you are going to play Mr. Wilson, play a kindly Mr. Wilson.
I spoke to the kids directly (normally I don't) because I truly had no idea what had hit my house. They actually hit an upstairs bathroom window that scared the heck out of me. I ran outside to see what it was and saw them.
I do NOT want this to turn into a big deal. The two families (one is a home owner and the other the renter) already have an alliance b/c of the kids.
I wish I had some way to block the balls, but there isn't a way to do that.
I'm definitely going with the camera.
The thing that drives me crazy is that I've heard the one dad specifically tell the kids to stay away from his house and vehicles.
An upstairs window?? That isn't soccer then.
Go to the Dad that did this and tell them they hit your upstairs window...and a neighbor told you they play in your driveway and you do NOT want them to do that.
Afterwards...Follow the Dad's example, tell the kids to keep the balls away from your cars and home and stay off your driveway.
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
4,640 posts, read 11,930,296 times
Reputation: 9885
Quote:
Originally Posted by harry chickpea
You are seeing the negatives. Some of the positives-
The houses and cars are much less likely to be burgled with kids visible out front playing at odd hours.
Kids playing in the drive aren't going to be meeting up with drug dealers in the park.
The damage a soccer ball can do to a car, other than a dirty smudge, is minimal. If it could do serious damage, I would question how that car would fare in a real accident.
Soccer might not be the best sport for the drive, I agree. A basketball hoop or two might involve less bouncing of balls against cars. I'm sure you can remember the old "Dennis the Menace" cartoons and shows where kids hit baseballs through windows. Count your blessings, and if you are going to play Mr. Wilson, play a kindly Mr. Wilson.
Hahaha, point. And I do understand boys and their need to be active. Incidentally, our HOA banned basketball hoops on the shared driveways--probably because our planned community has plenty of space for kids to play: tennis courts, walking trails, basketball courts, large common areas, pools, etc.
However, the bigger issue, at least for me, is respect for others' property. I say this having raised 3 sons (my youngest is 16) in this very same house. They weren't allowed to play soccer or kickball or baseball out there because it just wasn't considerate to my neighbors and I didn't want to risk damaging anybody's house or vehicle, including mine.
Hahaha, point. And I do understand boys and their need to be active. Incidentally, our HOA banned basketball hoops on the shared driveways--probably because our planned community has plenty of space for kids to play: tennis courts, walking trails, basketball courts, large common areas, pools, etc.
However, the bigger issue, at least for me, is respect for others' property. I say this having raised 3 sons (my youngest is 16) in this very same house. They weren't allowed to play soccer or kickball or baseball out there because it just wasn't considerate to my neighbors and I didn't want to risk damaging anybody's house or vehicle, including mine.
Oh....A totally different situation then. You said they are renters...inform the parents of the HOA rules. End of discussion.
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