Witnessed A Vandalism CLOSE-UP (UPDATE Post# 116)

[Laurajean]

Quote:
Sorry to hear the people over there are so passive aggressive. We have that kind of attitude on our gravel road. With some people contributing time and money to fix it, while others do nothing but use the road and contribute to it's degradation.

I'm not one for guns, but I wish you had a shot gun on you that night and let one off into the air, right in the middle of their barbaric spree. THAT would have scared the bugeezuz out of them.

We had someone going into our mailbox so we bought one of those $125 steel box types. They might be able to knock it over but they wouldn't be able to do much damage. Plus I think ours has some sort of guarantee. You might consider one of those for your next mailbox.

Now, no one jump down my throat for this, I AM KIDDING. But now that it's over, I've been joking around with friends and family on the phone. We've been coming up with all kinds of silly things that I could have done. Like just standing up and turning on the flashlight. The boxes are at the edge of the woods, not near any house or anything, it probably would have scared the heck out of them to see some crazy lady suddenly standing up behind the mailboxes. My uncle jokingly said I should have screamed bloody murder. He meant it literally, that I should have screamed the words "Bloody Murder!!!" He thinks that would have scared them too. It was actually pretty funny coming up with all the silly things I could have done, but of course I wouldn't really risk that and I am glad I hid. I STILL can't believe they didn't see me. I was RIGHT there, ducking "behind" a rock that barely came up to my shin.

 

[Lisa202]

Quote:
Sorry to hear the people over there are so passive aggressive. We have that kind of attitude on our gravel road. With some people contributing time and money to fix it, while others do nothing but use the road and contribute to it's degradation.

I'm not one for guns, but I wish you had a shot gun on you that night and let one off into the air, right in the middle of their barbaric spree. THAT would have scared the bugeezuz out of them.

We had someone going into our mailbox so we bought one of those $125 steel box types. They might be able to knock it over but they wouldn't be able to do much damage. Plus I think ours has some sort of guarantee. You might consider one of those for your next mailbox.

Now, no one jump down my throat for this, I AM KIDDING. But now that it's over, I've been joking around with friends and family on the phone. We've been coming up with all kinds of silly things that I could have done. Like just standing up and turning on the flashlight. The boxes are at the edge of the woods, not near any house or anything, it probably would have scared the heck out of them to see some crazy lady suddenly standing up behind the mailboxes. My uncle jokingly said I should have screamed bloody murder. He meant it literally, that I should have screamed the words "Bloody Murder!!!" He thinks that would have scared them too. It was actually pretty funny coming up with all the silly things I could have done, but of course I wouldn't really risk that and I am glad I hid. I STILL can't believe they didn't see me. I was RIGHT there, ducking "behind" a rock that barely came up to my shin.

"bloody murder" ...that's hilarious!


But I thought the same thing...what if you had jumped up and roared or something. Would have scared the crap out of them...but then they might have come after you with the bats.

 

[Laurajean]

Quote:
I've read several posts about making sure I'm a witness. The thing is, I don't think that would be a smart idea. I live alone, way out on the outskirts of town, and I'm the "outcast" here because I moved here from the city. I really think if I went to the court and made a big stink there would be revenge later. I'm so remote I can't even use a cell phone on my road. It just seems like a dangerous idea going and being a witness. I mean, if they insist I come fine, but they won't. There's plenty of evidence without me. There are other witnesses too, from the other towns.

Without going into great detail, let me just say this: When I first moved here, there was an "incident". The short version is I had an uninvited guest that was drunk and not welcome. I knew he was good friends with my neighbor, so instead of calling the police I called him and had him come over and get his friend outta here. Later I told my neighbor that I almost called the police, but I knew the guy was harmless and just drunk, so I called him instead. He said "That's good. You should know we don't call the police around here". They are all known as the "Good Ol' Boys" and I feel it's important not to draw unnecessary attention to myself. Don't get me wrong, I will of course ignore the neighbor's "rule" that we don't call the cops out here, as I did the other night. But my point is that being a witness over a stupid mailbox is just not worth setting myself up for on the flip side when they decide to "pay me back." They could do something to my chickens, or my house, or me. And now that I know my neighbors don't believe in calling the police, that's pretty risky, you know? Right now I'm the quiet girl that no one bothers with. I'd prefer to keep it that way than be known as "the trouble maker".

It's amazing that these people act like monsters and you would be the "trouble maker". May I ask what part of the state you are in? I ask because my mom lives in NH (Meredith) and she says that you can't get away with anything there.

I don't say my town online. Living alone out here, that would be very careless of me. But I can tell you that my town is much smaller than even Meredith, and far more remote as well. She's right near the lakes, and it's a nice area. I'm in the boondocks!

 

[Laurajean]

Quote:
Now, no one jump down my throat for this, I AM KIDDING. But now that it's over, I've been joking around with friends and family on the phone. We've been coming up with all kinds of silly things that I could have done. Like just standing up and turning on the flashlight. The boxes are at the edge of the woods, not near any house or anything, it probably would have scared the heck out of them to see some crazy lady suddenly standing up behind the mailboxes. My uncle jokingly said I should have screamed bloody murder. He meant it literally, that I should have screamed the words "Bloody Murder!!!" He thinks that would have scared them too. It was actually pretty funny coming up with all the silly things I could have done, but of course I wouldn't really risk that and I am glad I hid. I STILL can't believe they didn't see me. I was RIGHT there, ducking "behind" a rock that barely came up to my shin.

"bloody murder" ...that's hilarious!


But I thought the same thing...what if you had jumped up and roared or something. Would have scared the crap out of them...but then they might have come after you with the bats.

Oh, here was another one that cracks me up. Don't know if you saw the movie "Black Sheep" with Chris Farley and David Spade. At least I think that was the movie I am thinking of. Anyway, there's this scene where David Spade gets out at a gas station to pump gas, leaves the car door open and goes in to pay. Chris Farley does something stupid and the car starts to roll and the car door comes off from hitting the pump. So he props the door back into place and tries to act casual. David Spade comes back out, opens the car door and it comes off in his hand. Chris Farley leans over and says "What did you DOOOO????"

So anyway, I was saying that I should have let them bash the boxes, then stood up out of the darkness and said in a dramatic voice, "What did you DOOOO??"

I know, it's silly, but stuff like this gives me a giggle.

 

[Lisa202]

Quote:
It's amazing that these people act like monsters and you would be the "trouble maker". May I ask what part of the state you are in? I ask because my mom lives in NH (Meredith) and she says that you can't get away with anything there.

I don't say my town online. Living alone out here, that would be very careless of me. But I can tell you that my town is much smaller than even Meredith, and far more remote as well. She's right near the lakes, and it's a nice area. I'm in the boondocks!

I understand completely. I always wanted to live in the country...but being so isolated would make me nervous. Especially with neighbors that are either criminals, one's who don't believe in the cops (and let you know that) and the others who look the other way. You really should have a shotgun for protection anyway. My mom just had 2 bears break into her house last month on 2 different occasions. That would be enough for me.

But seriously, you had to have been terrified hiding behind that little rock like that. It's funny and terrifying at the same time. You'r so lucky they didn't see you. I really think they would have hurt you.

 

[Lisa202]

Quote:
"bloody murder" ...that's hilarious!


But I thought the same thing...what if you had jumped up and roared or something. Would have scared the crap out of them...but then they might have come after you with the bats.

Oh, here was another one that cracks me up. Don't know if you saw the movie "Black Sheep" with Chris Farley and David Spade. At least I think that was the movie I am thinking of. Anyway, there's this scene where David Spade gets out at a gas station to pump gas, leaves the car door open and goes in to pay. Chris Farley does something stupid and the car starts to roll and the car door comes off from hitting the pump. So he props the door back into place and tries to act casual. David Spade comes back out, opens the car door and it comes off in his hand. Chris Farley leans over and says "What did you DOOOO????"

So anyway, I was saying that I should have let them bash the boxes, then stood up out of the darkness and said in a dramatic voice, "What did you DOOOO??"

I know, it's silly, but stuff like this gives me a giggle.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
Your ire is misplaced. The police did their job. You called and they apprehended them in short order. While they did make an under the table offer to possibly have the kids make restitution in lieu of charges, once it is referred to the DA and the court system it's out of their hands. They cannot make the kids replace your mailboxes.

These kids are innocent until proven guilty by the court system. Only the court can order them to make restitution when they are found guilty. If the damage is extensive, file a claim with your insurance company and let them handle the restitution side of things. Otherwise keep your repair receipts and ask the police how you would go about getting the cost of the repairs added to the incident report or how you would petition the court for restitution in this case.

 

[Laurajean]

Quote:
I don't say my town online. Living alone out here, that would be very careless of me. But I can tell you that my town is much smaller than even Meredith, and far more remote as well. She's right near the lakes, and it's a nice area. I'm in the boondocks!

I understand completely. I always wanted to live in the country...but being so isolated would make me nervous. Especially with neighbors that are either criminals, one's who don't believe in the cops (and let you know that) and the others who look the other way. You really should have a shotgun for protection anyway. My mom just had 2 bears break into her house last month on 2 different occasions. That would be enough for me.

But seriously, you had to have been terrified hiding behind that little rock like that. It's funny and terrifying at the same time. You'r so lucky they didn't see you. I really think they would have hurt you.

I don't think any of them are criminals. But they are just very back-woods here, it's a private road, we're on the far outskirts of the town, they just do things their own way. For example, after that guy was removed from my property by my neighbor, he was promptly told to come by the next day, apologize and give me a case of beer.

They just have their own "law" apparently. They all mind their own business for the most part, no one bothers me. No kids live on my road, so I don't really have to worry about that, but I do believe they would not be happy if I went and testified. I would do it if I was the only witness and their conviction depended on it, but there are several other witnesses and my neighbor just told me that they were caught on a security camera at one house, so there is plenty of evidence without me. I feel like I did my part, getting the plate, reporting it, and now it's in their hands.

 

[dewey]

First, how scary and glad you didn't get really hurt.

I've lived in tiny small towns and know how things can be, but the way that town is sounding reminds me of some kind of creepy stepford thing.

So sorry you're having to deal with this, and be afraid at the same time, too.

 

[Laurajean]

Quote:
Your ire is misplaced. The police did their job. You called and they apprehended them in short order. While they did make an under the table offer to possibly have the kids make restitution in lieu of charges, once it is referred to the DA and the court system it's out of their hands. They cannot make the kids replace your mailboxes.

These kids are innocent until proven guilty by the court system. Only the court can order them to make restitution when they are found guilty. If the damage is extensive, file a claim with your insurance company and let them handle the restitution side of things. Otherwise keep your repair receipts and ask the police how you would go about getting the cost of the repairs added to the incident report or how you would petition the court for restitution in this case.

I disagree. They already admitted to it and agreed to replace the boxes PER police order. One parent even already purchased the boxes; there is no ethical reason not to go ahead and install them. If they denied it, maybe. I wasn't asking for money or anything, they absolutely should have put the new boxes they purchased in. And part of my annoyance with the police is because when I have called them, I get an answering machine EVERY time. I had to dial 911 and get them to get hold of the police. Why can't the police pick up the phone? My neighbor said the Chief is friends with a couple of the parents because he coaches their sports team. So there is clearly a lack of effort here. Had the arresting officer NOT said they would be out the next day, that they are innocent until proven guilty, fine. Then I would have expected that. But for her to say they all agreed that they would be out the next morning is HER error, not mine for believing it. So I feel I have several perfectly valid reasons to be annoyed with them.