CPS before police?

Casadena

Dear Prudence,

There’s a kid in my neighborhood who is about 7, who thinks nothing of wandering into people’s backyards without permission and hanging out for a while before leaving. Last week, my husband caught him in our yard. We have a Doberman who is territorial, and it’s no small miracle that he wasn’t outside when the kid showed up. Since then, we have locked our gates, but he frequently climbs over fences when he encounters gates that won’t open. Speaking to his parents has gone nowhere; they have told us and other neighbors that they can’t watch him every minute. Other households have dogs and more than a few have swimming pools. Now we always check our yard before letting our dog out. My husband says he wants to file trespassing charges the next time he shows up. Is it time to resort to that?

banana468

Casadena said:

Dear Prudence,

There’s a kid in my neighborhood who is about 7, who thinks nothing of wandering into people’s backyards without permission and hanging out for a while before leaving. Last week, my husband caught him in our yard. We have a Doberman who is territorial, and it’s no small miracle that he wasn’t outside when the kid showed up. Since then, we have locked our gates, but he frequently climbs over fences when he encounters gates that won’t open. Speaking to his parents has gone nowhere; they have told us and other neighbors that they can’t watch him every minute. Other households have dogs and more than a few have swimming pools. Now we always check our yard before letting our dog out. My husband says he wants to file trespassing charges the next time he shows up. Is it time to resort to that?

I think the time is to say to the parents that you intend to contact the authorities if he continues to show up in your yards.

Ultimately it seems like the kid is not being nefarious but is neglected and the lack of supervision is going to get him hurt.

So be clear: You have asked that the behavior cease and intend to document it with the authorities.   I would because you could be in a world of hurt if the Doberman hurts the kid and there is ANY aspect of insurance issue involved.  

MyNameIsNot

Yes, CPS. You can try to call police, but they're most likely just going to take him home and he'll be back the next day. 

States vary and all that, but the youngest kid I ever saw charged with delinquency (kid speak for criminal) in the years I was in juvenile court was 11. They're not going to charge a 7 year old with trespass because his parents can't be bothered to supervise him.