Special offer

Parents need to take responsibility or I will call the police like I did yesterday!

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

As a lot of you know I live in a condo conversion project and half the complex is still occupied by renters while we remodel the vacant ones. Well yesterday, while showing one of the units, I see one of the renter's cars drive by with their 11 year old son at the wheel and his best friend in the passenger seat.

I saw the mother a few minutes later and asked if I saw what I just thought I saw and she said, "Yes! I taught him to drive." OK, then. This project has many kids and they are always playing in the parking lot and this kid goes driving off and on to the street? What the heck?

So after talking to the manager whom said she thought she has seen that before also, but wasn't sure, told me I should call the police and report it. About an hour later the police showed up and questioned the mom who denied he did anything more than back up the vehicle and re-park it. Even that shouldn't be done in a busy parking lot with kids everywhere!


Yes this really is one of our police cars

The cop didn't believe the story either and said he talked to the mom and kid and advised them, if he ever gets another report of him driving, even 3 feet, he will issue a citation! What is the logic in some parents mind? Teaching an 11 old to drive a car is not only stupid, but teaching them to lie to the police is even worse!

The apartment manager, after the person lied to the cops, has decided to talk to the owner about giving the person a 30 day notice, because this isn't the first time the manager has had to talk to them about their kids and doing dangerous things on complex property. She is more worried about a lawsuit if someone gets hurt, and I don't blame her.

So for you parents out there, please don't teach your kids to break the law and then lie about it! You are just asking for your kids to be in jail later in life and I won't feel sorry for you when they go there!

 

Comments(16)

Linda Reynolds
Bradenton Real Estate - Linda Reynolds - Bradenton, FL
Bradenton Real Estate
I am glad you called the cops.  That kid needs to learn right from wrong even if it isn't from the mother.  What in the world is she thinking??  Oh sorry, she ISN'T thinking,  that is the problem.
Sep 16, 2007 06:10 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

Sounds like you live in Las Vegas!  WOW!  Some little neighborhood troll stole my hitch cover off and then a little neighborhood angel who saw it happen took it off the car they put it on and brought it back to me.  

There is good and bad all around us!

I am happy you didn't report any injuries or property damage! 

Sep 16, 2007 06:11 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital
Bad Boys!  Bad Boys! Whatcha gonna do?  Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?  This kid sounds like he's headed for that Fox TV show.  I'm glad you called the police!
Sep 16, 2007 06:59 AM
Andy Werner, Jr.
RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD
Real Estate, Gaithersburg, MD,

Children are most often a product of their environment. If they are taught that lying, cheating and stealing are okay, than they are going to lie, cheat and steal, then pass it onto their children.

 Good for you Todd.

Sep 16, 2007 07:15 AM
Yolanda Hoversten
Self Employed - O'Fallon, IL
Referrals for O’Fallon, IL & the Metro East
Hi, Todd!  I'm glad to know that you reported it.  Way too many people don't do anything that could prevent an accident or a crime, now matter how petty, because they don't want to get involved.  Way to go!
Sep 16, 2007 07:36 AM
Linda Scanlan
A Fan of AR - Burleson, TX
Yikes! Some parents just don't know how to say NO!! I'm glad you didn't bury your head in the sand and stood up. We need to do that more often! Good for you!
Sep 16, 2007 08:43 AM
Birmingham Alabama Real Estate, Stephen Wolfe
LivingInBirmingham.com - Birmingham, AL
Todd, thanks for the reminder. After eleven years of teaching I have heard almost everything. While a majority of parents are outstanding and doing their best I am constantly amazed at some of the wrongs some parents are teaching as rights. We all need to realize that some things are just right and some things are just wrong.
Sep 16, 2007 10:06 AM
Kim Wood
The Tech Byte - West Chester, PA
Kim Wood ~ The Tech Byte
Oh my...... in the middle of a parking lot? Ok, I let my kids drive down my grandmothers LONG country private driveway at 14.... but come on!
Sep 16, 2007 10:50 AM
Nicole Garner
Not Available - Tigard, OR

I just can not believe the nerves of some of these parents. I would never in my life let my children do something of this nature. I would think that since the parent allows this type of stuff, if someone gets injured they are just as responsible. 

Sep 16, 2007 12:52 PM
. .
no thanks - Harlem, MT
I guess I'll think twice before teaching my 11 year old son to drive! I never knew Tigard Police drove "Slug Bugs." I think you did the right thing to call the police, you probably saved a life.
Sep 16, 2007 02:09 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Linda - It just amazes me what some parents will teach their kids.

Renee - I'm glad the other kid did the right thing. I would have had the kid report it to the cops and then paid him a $100 for doing it!

Patricia - I have to admit I am waiting for something to happen to my car in the middle of the night. Little do they know I have a camera on it!

 

Sep 17, 2007 07:13 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Andy - You are dead on that if they lteach them to lie, then guess what folks. When they lie to you next week, don't be mad, you taught them that it is ok.

Yolanda - There are just way to many kids in the neighborhood and the fact that this kid can't see over the dash and I doubt he looked before backing up scared the hell out of me!

Linda - I've seen the products of parents not saying no in my parents class rooms and sometimes someone else needs to step up. I think a lot kids would be better off in the foster care system and that just scares me that the state maybe able to take better care of these kids than the parents.

Sep 17, 2007 07:21 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Stephen - As a teacher, I'm sure you saw almost everything! Both my parents and my brother are teachers and the stories they bring home sometimes rival cops!

Nicole - They had no idea that if someone was injured or killed that they were the ones going to jail and paying for the damage. Their insurance sure wouldn't do it!

Bridget - Not all of them do, I think they only have two. But, I just thought that one was funny and had to take a picture of it!

Sep 17, 2007 07:24 AM
Mike Klijanowicz
Cummings & Co. Realtors - Perry Hall, MD
Associate Broker @ Cummings & Co. Realtors
Too bad you don't live in MD, I am also a juvenile probation officer and may have been able to help you out LOL!
Sep 17, 2007 07:24 AM
Ray Perry
CENTURY 21 The Neil Company Real Estate - Roseburg, OR
Realtor, CRS, GRI, e-PRO
It seems that the kids are in control.  Too bad.  I can understand a mother lying to protect their children but there are consequences to every action.
Sep 17, 2007 07:36 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Michael - Let me guess, this kind of action doesn't surprise you at all does it?

Ray - She was lying to protect herself! She gave them permission to do it! She even admitted it to me.

Sep 17, 2007 07:41 AM