DHS Teenagers as Neighbours

mlionel20 on 21/09/2018 - 20:32
Last edited 22/09/2018 - 00:46 by 1 other user

Hi OzBargainers

Would like to get some advice regarding the following as I find that there are always smart and creative ideas coming from this forum for problems.

I live in a house where my neighbour behind is a Department of Human Service (DHS) house for troubled kids. They are usually teenagers from troubled family background and hence are relocated there on a temporary basis. It is run by Wesley Mission, and supposedly have someone there in the house 24/7.

As you would expect coming from a troubled family upbringing, behavioural issues would be expected. The kids (will be different kids as they all live there only temporarily) have so far -

  1. Broken in my house during the building of the house
  2. Threw rocks onto the plaster wall causing holes during the build of the house
  3. Trespassed into my backyard by climbing over the fence
  4. Threw a chair to my backyard
  5. Threw food (eggs) and milk shakes onto my backyard and roof ; with milk shake cartons on the roof and milk shake staining my glass window and dripping on my tiles.

Police aren't doing much as they just accept that it is a DHS house. They broke into my neighbour's house while it was being built, and police just asked them to go away ; which they didn't and ended up drunk on my front yard, and I had to call the police for them to come again to ask them to go away. It seems like all they can do is warn them and ask them to go away, but not take any further action.

I have spoken to the supervisor of the house and they are courteous, but not sure how much they can enforce this. They said they have someone there 24/7 but I have no clue how that is possible yet these kids are doing all these stuff.

My question is how can I tackle this problem? My thoughts so far is to get a lawyer to draft a letter to the supervisor so they take these problems more seriously ; so the on site supervisor will actually be more alert to ensure the teenagers are not doing these mischieves.

Does anyone know if there are any laws out there regarding this? If there is, then maybe I can get the police to take me more seriously as well. I feel it is not quite property damage (except the break in which was during the build, but I'm more annoyed at them throwing things at my house…concerned if will throw rocks or something)

Thanks

Home & Garden

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 21/09/2018 - 20:46
    +3

    Wow, this must be absolutely awful.

    The 'benefit' of being allowed to stay in such housing should be taken away after say 3 'strikes' of bad behaviour.
    They can either be institutionalised (betting the infrastructure for this is nearly non-existent) or jailed outright.
    Of course it may well be argued that some of the kids are mentally unwell so jail (in some peoples opinions) is probably not appropriate.
    Maybe those who make this argument could house them? Bit like the argument some make about refugees/immigrants who commit crimes really.

    More importantly, I feel for you and hope somehow the issues might be resolved.

  • kahn on 21/09/2018 - 21:02
    +3

    there are always smart and creative ideas coming from this forum

    Bikies. You didn't mention they had to original ideas.

    • JIMB0 on 22/09/2018 - 07:55
      +2

      Or feed them some strawberries.

      • [Deactivated] on 22/09/2018 - 08:41
        +1

        I'm coming over to chuck crap on your roof, I want to be fed strawberries!

  • [Deactivated] on 21/09/2018 - 21:04
    +4

    A really tall fence, locked gates and security cameras.

    • payton on 21/09/2018 - 21:55
      +3

      A really tall fence

      with sharp tips, a deep trench behind the fence

    • GourmetFoodie on 22/09/2018 - 02:27
      +2

      Electrified fence?

    • Mike88 on 22/09/2018 - 07:14
      +1

      And a large dog

      • [Deactivated] on 22/09/2018 - 08:43
        +2

        A pair of dobermans freely roaming behind the fence would be perfect! Only feed them raw bloody steaks.

  • Ithinkimtheking on 21/09/2018 - 21:06
    +4

    I'd recommend speaking to DHS and also the manager at Wesley Mission. Voicing your concerns so they can hopefully help with strategies minimising negative behaviours from the kids.

    • HighAndDry on 23/09/2018 - 11:00
      -1

      Hahahahaha….. I give this 1% chance of making any difference.

  • phila63 on 22/09/2018 - 05:59
    +4

    Write to your local state and federal members, plus member for housing with your concerns. We had similar experience and ministers got the housing service to act and house was changed away from crisis housing. Tenants now are better behaved.

  • whooah1979 on 22/09/2018 - 07:43
    +1

    Properties next to dhs are often sold at a discount compared to the rest of the suburb.

    Purchasing a property next to dhs and complaining about the surrounding environment is similar to buying a property at Brighton-Le-Sands and complaining about the aircraft noise.

  • DarkOz on 22/09/2018 - 08:17
    +2

    You should report this to DHS and Wesley Mission head offices what had happened so far. Since someone is supposed to be there 24/7 you should demand for the onsite contact number to call for any future issues. Every time something happens document it and report it to both head offices.

    If troubles persist I would go as far as sending them a tax invoice for the clean ups and even lodge a complaint to the local council.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/09/2018 - 08:45

      This is a good idea, if they took them to civil court for damages and repairs everytime, the DHS would rapidly find their own solution.

  • RockyRaccoon on 22/09/2018 - 09:32
    +1

    Having someone there 24/7 doesn’t mean they are awake for 24/7 they maybe sleeping but on site if there is an emergency, it’s far different from someone observing everything.

    I suggest you get a outside video survelliance camera so you can provide images to both police, dhs and Wesley

  • Placebo on 22/09/2018 - 10:24
    +1

    While I can appreciate how awful this situation must be for you, I do want to echo the comment above about the 24/7 supervision. I have no doubt there would be full time supervision, however you're talking about troubled teenagers. No chance a supervisor on site is going to be able to stop them from leaving/throwing things. They would no doubt endeavor to create an environment for the teenagers in which this was less likely to occur, but ultimately, those kids will do what they want to do, regardless of what the supervisor says or does about it.

  • subywagon on 23/09/2018 - 00:21

    As previously mentioned a tall fence with sharp things on top and very uncomfortable landing trench below. I think it's your only real option. Those troubled kids don't give a sh#t about consequences, police, court etc. No amount of complaining will help unfortunately.

    Otherwise sell up…

    • whooah1979 on 23/09/2018 - 10:52

      Putting up fortifications isn't going to help. One may have to consider that moving is a better option.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join