Neighbor Rant!

[Justanopinion]

I live in TX, in a small town, rural area. Our neighborhood has about 4 streets that are actually private gravel roads. Get the picture.

The house across from us is owned by an older lady. She and her youngest(17) grandson lived in the house when we first moved here. He didn't attend school and pretty much was a bum. Awhile back she moved in with her son and another grandson and his family moved into the house. Well, that didn't work out, Thank God! That grandson got in physical fights with teenagers in the neighborhood, he didn't take care of his kids, the house or anything. He couldn't hold a job. The final straw for him was a drunken night when he and his BIL stabbed each other.
The house sat empty for awhile and then the older woman and the young grandson moved back in a few months ago. Well, that grandson, who doesn't have a drivers license, drove her car into the ground. It got towed to the house last Thursday. Another son of hers came out Friday to fix it. Well, over the weekend the sons decided to take the woman to live with them again. Then we find out last night that she isn't coming back. They have decided to let the 17 yr. old and his best friend, also 17, live in the house by themselves. When I talked to a son's wife last night to verify the grandson could be in the house, she stated that they could do what they want. If they tear the house down oh well, if they lose electricity oh well.

Is there anything I can do? Why do we neighbors have to be the ones to police these kids? They drive through the neighborhood like maniacs. We've asked them to slow down more times than not, they don't listen. He accidentally ran over another neighbor's dog because he was peeling out on the gravel. I can just imagine the parties. The grandson wouldn't listen to grandma and she couldn't tell him no so basically they have all given up on him and we get stuck with him.
Just last weekend he had a bunch of guys over playing basketball in the yard and the four letter words flying was awful. My DH went over and told them to quit. As soon as DH left to go to the store they started up again. I asked them to quit and they did. The grandmother had already asked them several times and they wouldn't listen to her. They then had a big party that night.

Is there anything we can do?
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks

 

[just4today]

I would start by documenting what happens. If they are speeding on private property there isn't much the police can do, but do you have a neighborhood assocation? I'm thinking if there were financial consequences, somebody might pay more attention to what is going on.

 

[legalsea]

Get the sheriff's department on your side so they will start harrassing the beejeebers out of those boys. Sooner or later they will think it not worth the hassle and leave.

 

[JodyLynC]

Is it even legal for someone underage to live in a home by themselves?? What do the police say?

 

[CajunDixie]

So if the grandson is only 17 call for a child welfare check. Unless he is legally emancipated I don't think he can live there without his parents.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

I have no idea what can be done, not because there isn't anything, I just don't happen to know. I'm just writing to say that I'm really sorry you and your family are going through this. It sounds like a nightmare for everyone. Not to mention the fact that 17 year old may not have much of a future.

 

[Justanopinion]

No neighborhood association.
I'm going to call the Sheriff's office for info. as soon as I quit DISing.

And yes, I feel bad for him also. I don't know what happened to his parents but it sounds like all the aunts and uncles gave up on him. Truly sad.

 

[Pamlur]

There are a lot of joys associated with rural living, and then there are times like this. I really think your only option is to get the sheriff's office in on it and hope neither of them is of an age to live alone, legally.

 

[momrek06]

OP, are you saying they will be responsible for all the bills associated with this house.........and how could they possibly do that at the age of 17yo? Is there an adult paying all their bills?

They will probably be there for one month at the most and then realize this is not going to work out at all.

Are they in school? I mean hitting dogs while speeding and underage drinking...this is not good.

 

[bigmerle1966]

I feel for you!

We had a woman move into a rental in our neighborhood with her two teenage sons and the problems started immediately. The worst one was when they were throwing knives at the back of the townhouse and at a couple of trees. Then it appeared that the woman was spending most nights at her new boyfriends house and was leaving the sons at home by themselves. Someone called protective services about it but nothing came of it, she seemed to disappear altogether and the boys moved some friends in. Complaints were made to the owner, who really didn't care because she paid her rent on time. Finally the boys and some of their friends were busted for dealing drugs in the parking lot. Well the owner is the one who really paid for all of the problems he didn't want to deal with, the boys had destroyed the inside of the townhouse. There were holes in the walls and all of carpeting had to be replaced and some of the appliances.