I hope I did the right thing....

[KiminChicago]

At 8:45 tonight I left our house to pick up my DD from her dance class. As I was leaving, I noticed a couple of boys (12 and 13 years old) from our neighborhood were outside playing in the street with their bicycle and a skateboard. They were wearing dark clothes and no one had a light.

On the way back from dance class(around 9:15), one of the boys comes shooting out of a driveway into the street as we drove by. Fortunately I was doing less than the 25 mph speed limit and since I had seen them earlier I was looking out for them, but it did startle me.

Anyway, since I know the boys and their mom, I called their house. No one answered the phone, so I don't know if anyone was even aware that the boys were outside. I left a message for their mom just letting her know what I had seen. There aren't a lot of street lights in our neighborhood and the ones we do have are more ornamental than really useful so there'd be no way I'd let my kids play outside in the street this late at night. What would you have done in this situation? I know that there are people who speed through our neighborhood at night, and if something bad happens in the future and I hadn't said anything, I would feel terrible. How would you feel if a neighbor had called you about something like this? I don't want the mom to feel like I'm butting into their business, but I just didn't feel this was a really safe situation for those boys to put themselves in.

 

[minniecarousel]

I think it was the right thing to do. But if the boys hear the message before Mom, they might erase it.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

You did the right thing. I think I might have talked to the boys, too. I would mention to them that it's hard for people to see them when they're wearing dark clothes and playing in the street and I just want them to be safe.

 

[brockash]

I think you did the right thing, and if no one answered, I wouldv'e probably gone out to the 12 year old boys, and in a nice/friendly tone, just tell them to be careful, because a lot of ppl. speed through the neighborhood.

 

[KiminChicago]

I did debate with myself regarding stopping and talking to the boys but unfortunately these two boys tend to be rather disrespectful of authority, especially the older one. I was on a field trip with him once and when I asked him to stop pulling up grass and throwing it at another boy I was told that I should "lighten up." Since their mom and I are run into each other a lot, I'll probably get a chance to ask if she got my phone message.

 

[shortbun]

I would have quickly told the boys I couldn't see them in the dark. Snotty response or not, at least they would have had the information. Then I would have called the house and left the message.

 

[C.Ann]

Yes, you did the right thing..

 

[npmommie]

You did the right thing. we have the same thing in our neighborhood, no street lights, and there is a small group of boys that skateboard, and take a small ramp into the street, right at a curve in the road.
the other night they were out there in the dark in dark clothes I could barely see them.
when i see them tonight, which i bet i will, i am going to say something.
they don't seem disrespectful, they always wave hello when i go by, so we'll see what response i get

 

[cabanafrau]

If I was the mom I'd want to know.

 

[Jenvenza]

You definitely did the right thing!

 

[pixiewings71]

You did the right thing, make sure you mention it the Mom as well just in case. I hope they learn to wear something easier to see....