Did I do the Right thing?

[jamie2112]

So, about an hour ago my 7 year old son calls me crying that his bike had been stolen. I jumped in the car and rode around the neighborhood and found the bike laying a few streets over. It had been smashed as in the tires and rims were broken and there were spokes everywhere. I then proceeded to go to where my son was and interviewed the kids who were there. I found out that it was a kid who is the area bully 14 years old and thinks he is a badass. This kid has had trouble with every kid in the neighborhood and 2 of my son's friends saw him smash the bike. I really wanted to go yoke the punk up but I called the Police instead. I had to go find the kids who were witnesses and bring them to the officer to tell him what they had seen.The cop handcuffed the kid and threw him in the car. I then went and rounded up the witnesses as the cop held the tool in his car. The cop interviewed the 2 boys who are 8 years old and then formally arrested the kid. I kind of feel bad, but the punk denied it and was trying to be a hardass till the end. He was quite upset as he was being hauled to jr jail. He destroyed my 7 year olds new bike and I feel bad? WTF I guess I just wanted to vent and see if you all thought I did the right thing considering the kid wasn't admitting it. Thanks to all with an opinion....Jamie

 

[mazersteven]

Only you can tell if it was the right thing to do. Only you know if there where other alternatives. JMO

 

[Adam]

IMO, yes - you did the right thing. Be on the look out for retaliation, but I think that you did what you should. You stood up for you and yours, and that's the right thing in my book.

 

[jamie2112]

There was no other alternetive to him paying for the bike. The cop said if I wanted it payed for he needed to be charged because he was denying it...

 

[mike c]

then it was the right thing to do.

the only alternative i can think of is secret retaliation. (by you, not him)

edit:

ok, so maybe a talk with his parents could have been an alternative ? but it's been done, no use second guessing, you can't do anything now.

 

[darien87]

Works for me. The kid's a punk and needs to be taught a lesson. Maybe this will scare him straight. I'm surprised you were able to keep your cool. I might have just beat the kid down; then looked for the kid's dad and beat him down too.

 

[tcarcio]

Absolutley, You did the right thing. You said the kid has been terrorising the neighborhood so he had it coming. He probably has had the bleeding heart treatment with his parents saying things like he doesn't mean it or we need to be nice to him and he will come around.......Bullshit!!! Kid's need to know that there are consequences to their actions, I say lock'm up and make his parents pay for the bike. Stick to your guns because if you don't he will just laugh and say see I got away with it again. OK, I am finished now.

 

[jamie2112]

Works for me. The kid's a punk and needs to be taught a lesson. Maybe this will scare him straight. I'm surprised you were able to keep your cool. I might have just beat the kid down; then looked for the kid's dad and beat him down too.

I had trouble holding my cool. But that exact same thing went through my head many times....

 

[adk highlander]

You did the right thing for what you have explained. And again good for you on keeping your cool. My fuse is very short when it comes to anyone hurting my kid.

 

[Exit]

You did good. Post him on the "School Bullies" post a couple of posts down.

 

[gus6464]

You definitely did the right thing. I don't have any kids yet but if this happened to my kid I wouldn't have kept my cool as well you did.

 

[Nomo]

Sounds like the little B'stard needs to be off the streets for a while. IMO, yes you did the right thing.

Realistically even at 14 he's chosen his path and jail ain't gonna change his disposition.

As far as talking to his parents; they most likely don't care or are selectively blind to the problem.

My concern would be him seeking retribution against your son. Most likely he'll only be in jail for the weekend, at best.

Before writing me off as a grumpy old man; this opinion comes from some one on the other side of the fence who has a 14 year old in the house, not mine, who has already spent a couple of weekends in lock-up and has already chosen his path of life.

 

[aberkowitz]

I think you also set a nice example for your son. Yeah- it's great to be able to go around and kick somebody's ***, but there is something to be said for being able to keep your cool and act responsibly. Hopefully your son is able to take that away from the situation.

 

[EJ1]

Who knows? Maybe you are the one to turn the bully's life around. Better he learn now and not later.

 

[Alex2507]

My concern would be him seeking retribution against your son.

Jamie's option of killing the 14 year old is still viable.

Jamie,

To begin with, I think you did the 14 year old a favor. Had he gotten away with it, the messege would have been a complete disservice to him. He also now is perfectly aware that your son has a stand up dad. Try talking to his folks if you can to see what you can do to help them.
You are still all about what's best, right?

-Alex

Edit: You fink.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Call a "cleaner" (they make problems go away).

 

[aberkowitz]

Call a "cleaner" (they make problems go away).

Or have Nicky Santoro go dig a few holes in the desert....

 

[Adam]

Call a "cleaner"...

I recommend Victor.

 

[speakerman39]

Jamie, first off I am so sorry this has happened to your son. Like you, I would be very upset. However, I think you did the right thing by holding the kid responsible for his actions. Truth be told, the kid may have done it as a means to gain some attention. It is a well known fact that kids act out when they are in need of help. Who knows what really is going on in this kid's life. Chances are, he comes from a broken home where there are basically no rules. Maybe the kid realizes that society is NOT going to tolerate such acts of vandalism. Kudos to you for keeping your cool and for getting this kid some help. Well done my friend!

Cheers,

Phil

 

[jamie2112]

Thanks for the kind words Phil. I think the kid does come from a broken home and may have some issues.Maybe he will learn his lesson...I hope...