Vandalism

[watervole]

Several times in the last two weeks, my front garden has been vandalised by a girl on her way home from school. Every time, it's the same thing. I'll be teaching in the lounge and she'll screech until I look around to see who it is. Then she grabs a handful of flowers from my rockery, flings them in the air and runs away. I can't persue as I'm in the middle of giving a lesson - and even then, she'd have a fair head start by the time I'm through the lounge and out the front door and down the drive.

Today, a young lad who's often with her decided to have a go on his own. Identical modus operandi. I did sprint after him (as I wasn't teaching today), but he was out of sight by the time I reached the road.

I've been keeping a camera by me the last few days, but he came by later in the evening after school had finished and I'd put the camera down.

My next door neighbour has managed to recognise the girl. She doesn't know her well, but the girl sometimes chats to her dog and she knows her face. Today, she spotted her going past and her husband followed her and another girl. I now have an address where either the girl or her friend live.

Neighbour says she'll try and get a video next week - she's got a video camera and I don't - she can film unseen from her bathroom. (Knowing most parents these days, they'll never believe their little dear has done anything unless there's photographic proof.)

It's depressing. I mean, even if I do manage to sprint out and catch the culprit, what can I do?

If I so much as spank her, I suspect the law would come down on me like a ton of bricks. Children these days know they're untouchable and they take advantage of it.

It's incredibly stressful. I've no idea who this girl is. I've no idea why she picks on me. I've got a really beautiful garden this year and I get a lot of pleasure from working in it. She's starting to destroy that pleasure. When I'm working inside, I keep wondering what time it is and whether she'll come past today.

Thank heaven for my next door neighbour. I'm not good at getting to know neighbours - I never know where to start in social situations (apart from conventions), but I go round her place several times a year to trim our mutual hedge and we get on well and often have a chat then.

Comments

[hawkida.livejournal.com]

If you have an address I'd suggest sending a bill for the damage with a cover letter to her parents. Although that only works if you know it's her address and have a name as well.

[julesjones]

Urgh. I will refrain from saying what *I'd* do, since this is a public post.

You may need to put up net curtains. Her reward is your attention, and as long as she can see into the living room and see that you're there and you're upset by it, she's going to keep on doing it. If she can't see that she's got a reaction, she may be less inclined to do it.

I'm glad your neighbour is trying to help you with this.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

While I understand what you're saying about nets, half the point of having a garden is so that I can enjoy looking at it from the lounge.

[kerravonsen]

That's awful!

[alex-holden.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be surprised if the parents don't care what she's been up to and aren't interested in seeing the video footage. It sounds like she's trying for an ASBO - kids round here collect them like we used to collect swimming certificates and scout badges. The best policy is probably to simply ignore her and hope she gets bored. Or plant something that will give her a nasty rash if she's stupid enough to touch it ;)

[eleyan.livejournal.com]

oh, yes. Nettles...

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Nettles and rockerys don't really combine well. They're a bit too tall...

[watervole.livejournal.com]

THe risk of an 'ignore' policy is that she'll simply try something more damaging as a way of ensuring that I take notice.

[alex-holden.livejournal.com]

Which you can film her doing and take the video to the police... Not that they will necessarily do anything about it.

I definitely think giving chase is the wrong thing to do as it gives her exactly the thrill she wanted, and as you say, what could you do if you caught her anyway?

[(Anonymous)]

what can I say... This is why I disaociate myself from my age group, but that's younger and worse. Hope the rockery survives, hold yourself together and if it happens when I'm down south I can sprint faster. Good luck

[exalted-mugwump.livejournal.com]

this was my post, I was logged out for some reason