Trying to avoid fight with minor, what should I do?

[SonicFlux]

I'm a 26 yr old runner, and for the last 4 months, I've been training for my first marathon in January. Just about every weeknight, I run a certain route, and these skater-punk kids always have to harass me everytime I pass them. This has been going on for months now, and I have confronted them before, but it obviously hasn't helped. And then last night, I got up in the face of the main "bad" kid and told him to stop harassing me. He threatened to kick my ass, and he raised his skateboard up in the air like he was going to swing it. I called his bluff and told him to "do it." But then he got scared and started to stutter. Then he and he friend took off on their skateboards when a woman came outside to see what the comotion was.

Now part of the reason why they are harassing me is because I look very young, and they might think I am their age. But last night I came very close to fighting with a minor, which would land me in jail even if the minor starts the fight. My girlfriend wants to get the police involved, but I think the police would just laugh at something like this...

What is the best way to handle this situation?

 

[Taz4158]

Your the adult. As hard as it is you have to ignore them and they'll probably stop. The only reason they're doing it is because they get a reaction out of you. Or change your route or time.

 

[UG]

Keep your life simple: avoid the situation entirely. Change your route to go around them or in some other direction. No reason to work them into a frenzy where they think it's time to do a Tanya Harding on you.

 

[Wangel]

It becomes even more difficult when the person is your own child. Let's suppose your 16 year old son is upset you won't let him go on a camping trip and starts to destroy things in your house. He then tells you that if you touch him he will call the "Child Abuse" authorities, and if you kick him out of your house, again he will call the "Child Abuse" authorities "Child Abandonment". What do you do? Put a 16 year old in Time Out?

The courts have taken parenting away from the parents with threats of jail time if we don't follow their rules. It's time we get back with the old saying of: "Spare the rod - spoil the child". Perhaps this is why so many kids turn to drugs and so many parents turn to Dr. Laura!

 

[Namuna]

What's wrong with letting the Police know about their 'antics'? Suppose you're not the only person they do this to?

Changing your route shouldn't be the answer, it says to them they win. And obviously you can't ignore them.

Let the Police handle it, period.

 

[gittyup]

I agree change your route but only for a while. They might find another place to act like idiots. Better yet, they may make the mistake of harassing someone with less patience. I would then go back to your route after some time to see if they are gone. Trust me, they are not worth it...

 

[Blackhawk2]

Hire a juvenille to kick this kids @ss, that way you don't have to and no one goes to jail

 

[ArkAoss]

hey i know some skater punk kids, but i know how they act, change the route, and also make sure they dont see you, like if you just take a fork when they get in sight of you. . , but sounds like you scared em when they raised the skateboard, and sure, let a cop know, if these kids are harrasing you, they might harass older people, or younger kids, and just let em know "for the past x days or weeks or months, i've been going by this street, and near this (house, business, other landmark) there's always a bunch(number) of kids, harassing me, and I've been threatend with a skate board. maybe you could run a cruiser by there at x time (before your run thru). and maybe they'll send over a beat cop, that might know the kids (if cops still know neighborhoods) and convince to hang other places. .

 

[Blackhawk2]

These kids need a lesson in social etiquette, what better way than to have one of their peers do it for you. They need to know that when they push someone will push back. Its like when he held the skateboard up and started stuttering, he didn't expect anyone to fight back and he got scared. He'll be back, rest assured and since nothing happened to him last time when you stood up to him he'll be more confident this time around. When pain enters his mind he'll stop, sometimes its the only way they learn right from wrong.

 

[SonicFlux]

Thanks for the advice all. I especially like Blackhawk2's advice, but I would never do that

I will change my route for a while. The marathon is in 2 weeks anyway, and I won't be doing much running for a while when it's over.

By the way, these same kids harassed my girlfriend once at a local grocery store when she wouldn't give them money. That's why she wants to get the cops involved. Oh, and last night I asked that kid where he lived and where his dad was, and he replied, "He lives somewhere in Kansas City, and I don't care." I guess that's what happens when there's no father around to whoop that ass on occassion and instill some structure in a boy's life? I wouldn't know though because I had a father that wouldn't hesitate to let me know I had done wrong, and I'm thankful for it now

 

[chess9]

Glad to hear you're training for a marathon. I'm in similar mode-training for IM Florida.

Change your route.

I run right by a group of tough kids just outside of my neighborhood and I always say something like "How you doin', man?", etc. But I may be a little bigger than you and I'm obviously older.

Also, just as in a race when you pick up speed when passing someone if you want to be sure to drop them, do the same if you keep the same route. We have a young bum who comes into our neighborhood occasionally and he is very big. I was running through the park the other day and he was standing there with his pants down. Needless to say, I boogied!

 

[TxAg99]

PEPPER SPRAY!!

 

[Mister T]

simple.

Contact the police regarding the incident.
Get a "police report" on file.
Next time they harass you, beat the snot out of them.

I doubt you would be liable for beating up a minor since you have reported constant harassment.
You can always claim that you were acting in self-defense.
Who are the authorities going to believe, a a troubled youth or you, your GF, and previous police records...

 

[iotone]

call the cops and tell them that some kids are skating on someone's property... cuz damn we get the cops called on us when we're skating in front of this bank... worth a try??

 

[urbantechie]

Hey, I skate. I make videos doing that kind of stuff!!


One thing that would scare me is that you call the cops. Do it, and they will stay away.

 

[kami]

<< I guess that's what happens when there's no father around to whoop that ass on occassion and instill some structure in a boy's life >>


not really...my father's an ass, was never there for me, and I wish him dead....but i turned out fine

as for the kids, listen to your gf and get the cops involved. Of course nothing will happen to the kids, but they might reconsider after a cop has had a few words with them.

 

[Rogue]

Wangel,

What you're saying is not entirely true. I know many cops who if called and presented a situation like that would show up, assess the situation and more than likely recommend you whoop that ass like any good parent would. People forget, cops are parents too a lot of the time and they are perhaps even more strict on their children than most others. 9 times out of 10, if the child/adolescent is wrong, the cops will turn the other cheek and let you handle it provided it doesn't get out of control.

Now, with this situation, it's a little differnt. These are someone else's children, so I don't recommend putting the smack down on their candy asses just yet. Try to ignore them or even buddy up to them. Hell, I lived in a bad neighborhood in Cali where we were just about the only white family on the block. Some Mexican gang members took us in and kept watch over us on their &quot;turf&quot; just because my brothers and I were cool and played ball with them all the time. Come riding by on a skateboard one day and guage their reaction. They might think you're funny and/or cool and go with it.

 

[Tripleshot]

Call the police and take thier advice. That wayyou have done all you are legally supposed to do. If you are assulted unprovoked by these teens,I think you are legal to kick the crap out of them.But the ultimate repsonsibility is yours,and the police will more than likely advise you to change your route to avoid a conflict. Thats the smart money,IMHO.

Good luck in your marathon. I hope you win!

 

[sparkle]

pretty simple, bring a pocket knife. When they start bugging you pull it out and start cutting yourself. They will be so freaked out that you would do something like that to your self they will leave you alone.

Or if that is not your sort of thing get up in thier faces and when things start getting heavy fake a seizure. This technique is especially effective if you toss an Alka-Seltzer in your mouth.

The last resort, which I would consider to be kinda lame is to call the cops. Cops have a general dislike for skate kids anyhow, so you'll get plenty of support from them.

 

[EmperorNero]

I don't know if sparkle is serious or not, but don't do what he says...for very obvious reasons.

I wouldn't recommend calling the cops if those kids know where you live. I also lived in cali once where every other little kid thinks he's some badass punk so they would start crap with me and my friends...but unfortutanately, they know where I live so I never really did anything but ignored them . I've had 2 car stereos stolen, a broken car window from a bb gun shot, at least 2 attempts at breaking in (while 2 of our other neigbors were robbed...we were the only once to be robbed left...luckily, I moved up in safe little preppy suburban ohio where it's pretty safe overall). so I would rather not risk anything else done to my home sweet home.

so I guess change your route...but then again, those retards might pick on other people. if they don't know where you live, definitely call the cops. if they do, then it's really up to you.

 

[Doggiedog]

IF the kid hits you with his skateboard it would become a felony because it would be assault with a weapon. Even if its tempting don't bring any kind of weapon or glass bottle with you because it would escalate the charges if there is a fight and cops come.

One time my friend was parallel parking his car when some jerk pulled into the spot from behind. My friend started honking then edged his car in so the jerk wouldn't be able to park correctly. The guy then pulled out his club and started hitting my friend's car. In a rage, my friend grabbed the guy's club and hit him over the head with it (not very hard either). When the cops came, guess who was arrested? My friend and he was charged with a felony. He was tossed in jail for over 24 hours and the ordeal cost him $6K and took over 6 mos to settle.

Just be careful.

 

[JayPatel]

tell his mother. just kidding......do the right thing and walk away

 

[I'm Typing]

These kids are like monkeys. You have to show them that you are the &quot;Alpha male.&quot; Call the cops, tell them what is happening, and file a report. The next time they harass you, tell them that there is a record of their conduct at the local precinct house...and that when you beat the sh!t out of them, the cops are going to think that THEY started it, not you.

Start running with two lead pipes. Tell people they are &quot;training devices.&quot; Tell the punks that you are going to split their heads open if they try using their pussy-ass skateboards as a weapon.

YOU are not bothering anyone. YOU should not have to change where you run just because some punks are trying to bother you. And one other thing...if there is violence, YOU are not going to get into trouble...they are minors...and it is your word against theirs.

 

[uncouth]

bring a rifle on your run, you know your rights... go NRA!

how good of a fighter are you? Could you whoop these guys asses if it did come to blows?

 

[nEoTeChMaN]

Nah....beat the crap out of them without leaving any marks.

Go for the tummy..then..well, you should know.