Opinion on property damage

[Indigo]

So in my middle class suburban neighborhood last night some "teenagers being teenagers" decided to spraypaint peoples cars and garage doors causing thousands of dollars in property damage. I wasn't one but my neighbors 40,000 dollar car got it in black spraypaint. So this isn't a threat to my life but say I witnessed this on my own property tonight and confronted a 17 year old kid and while pulling a gun on him would be stupid I instead were to full nelson him and dislocate a shoulder while subduing him for police to come.....at what point do I put myself at risk for a lawsuit and I'm on the hook for this moron as opposed to just defending my property? Anybody know any real advice on this? I realize it's not a life and death question but I'm hopping mad and ready to inflict a little southern justice on some idiots. Thanks.

[Jim K]

Southern Justice

Wow, Good question. I have no answer to this but I suggest that a camera could be your best friend in this situation. Most cell phones have 'em. Of course, if you are attacked that is something else. I know you have a right to protect your own property but I wonder if it's worth the legal bills.

Make sure there are no witnesses.

Jim K

[koishoes]

In all honesty if some kids were doing that they probably won't be back the following night. If they were to, it's pretty ballsy, but when it comes to kids I think just coming outside would scare them away. You can get in a ton of trouble these days for just touching someone when it comes to kids.

[Indigo]

I agree with you koi that it's unlikely they return immediately. It's a gated type of community where more than likely it's a kid that already lives on my street which increases the likelihood that it does happen again at some point in the near future. It would be completely random if I did run across them as I am comatose at 10 at night but in the off chance it did I'm more of an act first think second kind of person. Would hate to screw myself for the next 7 to 10 years because of some obscure law that protected the criminal.

[rholmes69]

What city in NC? Hope it isn't around me...

Remember with our insane laws and if you live in Cary, you would probably do 20 to life...

[koishoes]

Well said indi, you never know with some of the fine print stuff, especially if the offender is under 18. Say the kid is smashing in the windows on your car, you come out there and beat down on him, call the cops, then end up getting sued by the parents and getting something else because he was 17.

[Bawanna]

We've actually had a multitude of just this sort of thing the last couple years here. We'd catch a bunch responsible and another bunch takes over. The Graffiti, tagging, gang wannabes. Cars are a little more rare except windows smashed, but buildings, fences, public property, especially public restrooms (usually mens). I've dreamed of rolling in on these punks in the act.

On numerous occasions when confronted by a normal person they flee. They do this crap on consecutive nights but usually in different areas of town.

Pictures would be awesome although difficult,usually dark etc, and fast. Displaying your gun without some sort of a clear and present danger to yourself would be a very bad no no. I would confront, I would have my gun but they wouldn't see it. Defense of property at least up here is a very gray area especially stuff outside your home.

Definitely call the police for sure and it may help link your event to other events in your area and maybe help them track the scumbags down. They will also note and report that you did the right thing in calling.

As much as they probably sorely deserve to be shot, don't even consider it for as you suspected you'll be in far more trouble than them.

[wyntrout]

I think that you can shoot them in Texas... tested several times in the past... unless they're "undocumented aliens", in which case the Feds will be after you for violating their "rights".
Wynn

[Indigo]

Wilmington area Mr. Holmes. When I say gated I don't mean Tiger Woods gated I just mean you have to hit a code in a box to get in not pass a security check. I work 40 a week like anybody else and as minor as this infraction was in the scheme of things the idea that somebody would destroy what I or my neighbors work hard for infuriated me to the point where I feel if I let my dog out in the middle of the night and ran into one on my lawn I would probably not consider the consequences and end up doing something I regret later. Just curious how others felt. Thanks for the opinions.

[Longitude Zero]

Call 911...take video...I would go outside and let them see me but would take no direct actions. I live in a gated community and if it is the punks in the community it can be hell and years to get them and their families out of your hair.

On the open streets retaliation is very rare, in gated communities it happens far more often than most people know.

[Indigo]

Dead on there Mr. Zero. It's like you have to choose between some out of control pre-columbine teenage kid inflicting pain on your car or your dog. If you protect your car your dog gets set on fire. Man people are nuts.

[Bawanna]

Dead on there Mr. Zero. It's like you have to choose between some out of control pre-columbine teenage kid inflicting pain on your car or your dog. If you protect your car your dog gets set on fire. Man people are nuts.

You didn't mention dog before. They mess with my dog, I'm wasting em! Your absolutely totally right on, people are nuts. The gene pool definitely needs a ride in the maytag with lots and lots of intensified Tide, large load, heavy cycle.

[wyntrout]

Google "Texas homeowner shoots vandal"... lots of hits on this. Texas "Castle Law" extends to your stuff, too. Vandals, burglars, repo men... all have been killed with homeowners exonerated or not charged. "Don't mess with Texans."

Wynn

[Indigo]

You didn't mention dog before. They mess with my dog, I'm wasting em! Your absolutely totally right on, people are nuts. The gene pool definitely needs a ride in the maytag with lots and lots of intensified Tide, large load, heavy cycle.

I have 3 of them Bawanna. I would protect them like my own children since their only defense is to lick someone to death.

Wyn, I googled your phrase and got 332,000 hits. I like the sound of Texas justice.

[sonofodin]

When I was stationed in Texas it was talked about alot. I pretty much dont care anymore. I mind my business and dont start no trouble. Come around and start some and see what happens