We live in a nice neighborhood on a steep hill that affords a nice view of the city, the bay, and Canada to the north and also west over the water and islands. The neighborhood was built in the 60's and our immediate neighbors are all original homeowners, all retired, are all the salt of the earth, and have been very loving and generous to our new daughter.

Our house was the last built, near the crest of the hill. Later, the neighborhood was extended past our house. We are on a corner lot, but the street next to my property was never actually developed, so it is a grass easement two tracker lined with beautiful trees and greenspace that gives privacy to our yard. It's kinda nice.

We use the easement to access our backyard garage and we park a small rv trailer back there. The other neighbors use it to access their boats etc.

My neighbor two doors down bought the four lots behind our houses back when he bought his house in '63. It's beautiful green grass and he lets the neighbors play on it, and it's not uncommon for neighbors who do not have a view to walk over and spread a blanket on the lawn to watch the sun set.

Lately I've been finding beer bottles and empty 12 pk cartons. I've heard kids out there before partying every once in while, and find trash the next day of course. It's too easy for them to hide back there even though it's not a large space.
Tonite I heard a car start up at 10:30, so I looked out the window and saw it was a neighbor kid from down the street that I do not know. The car is unmistakeable; that beautiful 80's BMW 740, with nice aftermarket wheels and tires. I think his dad owns a used car lot. They moved in two or three years ago and the house promptly caught fire and has since been remodelled to better take advantage of their view.

Anyway, the car pulled back into the easement at 11:00, then back out at 11:45.

I don't want kids drinking on the edge of my property. But I know that if I go say anything to them, my van is getting keyed and my rv is also a sitting duck. I don't want to start a war, but I'm not going to put up with it. I've twice in the last 3 years called the police to let them deal with it, but both times they've come about two minutes too late.

In my younger days, when I had less to lose, I would have taken the emptys and set them on the BMW with a note saying. "I don't drink behind your house, don't drink behind mine. Next time I'm calling the police."

Do I knock on the door, introduce myself, and show the parents the evidence? Or?

How would you guys handle it? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

I think really the best you can do is call the cops. EVERY TIME. Eventually, they'll catch them.

I completely understand the desire to be 'more neighborly' about it and confront them with civility, but you have to think about you and your neighbors property (rv boats etc).

If you do decide to talk to them yourself. Just try to do it as non-confrontational as possible. Don't make it about the trash either. Make it about not doing it there at all. "Look guys, I'm sorry but you gotta find somewhere else. I don't want to call the cops. You don't want me to involve the cops or your parents. Hope you understand." They'll either say, Cool, and leave. Or if they get quarrelsome, just walk away and call the cops, EVERY TIME. Get license plate numbers etc.

It's a gamble. Good luck!

I agee: Call the cops every time you see kids out there drinking.

I would think kids care more about the police catching them than their neighbors. And you never know what they will do to retaliate if you confront them yourself.

I had a buddy that tried the "one riot, one ranger" approach (this is Texas, after all) and confronted a bunch of teens drinking where they weren't supposed to be. He wound up with a compound fracture of his arm from being trapped between two vehicles, and easily could have been crushed to death.

Call the cops. Call the house from an anonymous phone. Send an email from a dummy account.

But don't confront.

A couple less conventional thoughts...

First is that you can use the same methods to keep kids away that you can with deer and raccoons. You should be able to impede their access in some way without violating the right of ways. But you could also use a scarecrow.

This image is hidden for guests. Please login or register to see it.

It would spray every time something comes within range. You could say that you're keeping deer away.

Thanks for the cooler heads guys. Good suggestions all. It hasn't happenned since, and when it does again I'll simply call the polics and let them do their job.

Ben, I like your idea a little too much.