Forest At Stone Oak

Several kids have been gathering in the evenings to skate on Lorimor Ct near one of the water easements, I have notice that now they even bring plywood to set on the sidewalks and do their stunts. On Monday a big piece of metal tube was on one of the sidewalks and this morning the plywood was shredded in pieces in the street. Is this ok for these kids to be doing this in the neighborhood? I understand that we get our neighboorhood inspected everyday, I wonder if this was caught this morning and if this was address to anyone.  

Thank you for reporting this.  Another homeowner on Lorimor called me and reported this last week.  She and her husband spoke with the parents about these kids leaving trash on the street and in the drainage area, skateboarding late at night (well past curfew), and even getting into a fight.  The parents responded positively and reassured the homeowner that they would correct their kids' behavior.  The following day, some parents had their kids out picking up trash. 

It is NOT OK for kids to behave this way in our neighborhood, and if it continues, homeowners should contact their HOA Board of Directors Reps (Julie Agena and Don Triggs for the Peak). The Non Emergency SAPD should be called at 207-7273 if there is an immediate concern, and 911 should be called in the event of a fight like the one witnessed by the other Lorimor homeowner or the one that took place on Caitlin Ct.  If kids (or homeowners) are a nuisance or posing a security problem, the HOA and AMS management company will become involved.

My hope is that this situation will improve on Lorimor now that the parents are aware and involved.  But if it doesn't, please report your observations promptly by phone or email (see Board members info on this site).  Take photos and video if you can.  If you are comfortable talking with the parents of these kids about what you're seeing, that would be great.  I'm sure some of them would like the opportunity to correct their kids' behavior before the HOA gets involved.  

Thanks again for reporting this. Please keep Don and I posted.

Julie Agena

I have an interest in this topic.  But I think the issue of kids playing in the street (skateboards or not) is due to the lack of areas set aside for kids to play.  There is not one playground or recreation area inside the gates of our community.  The HOA and community planners do not have a plan to build a play area inside the gate.  I've asked a number of times about this topic.  I always get the same answer - "There is a play area near the pool".  This is an unacceptable answer.

Many of us decided to purchase a home in a gated community.  Why should we send our children outside of these gates to play?  Our HOA dues are going towards common areas outside of our gated community.  I don't have children, but I support parents who don't want to send their children outside of the gates in which we all have decided to live.

Now for skateboarding and skateboarding props:  If the kids are skateboarding in the water drainage and not on the streets - great.  Skateboarding got its start on the streets and drainage ditches of California.  As far as I'm concerned, the kids can have a ton of fun in the drainage ditch - as long as they are not breaking the law and leave the area in good condition. 

The kids need to clean up after their fun.  When I was a kid we used our skateboards to transport our props to and from the "designated skateboard area".  Our neighborhood and surrounding areas do not have skateboard areas.  This is another topic to look at.  If kids do not have areas to play, they will play in the streets - dangerous.  If kids are bored, from lack of things to do - trouble quickly follows.

We as a community and adults need to have a positive and interactive role with the kids and their parents on this issue.  In my last neighborhood the relationship between the kids and adults was very negative.  This led to vandalism, verbal altercations and a couple close calls of physical altercations (neither side was innocent).  Say "Hello" to kids talk to them, but if they are doing something wrong talk to them or their parents.  When we talk to the kids let's talk to them the same way we would want adults to talk to us if we were in their shoes.  

This really comes down to all of us getting out of our houses and interacting (positively) with our neighbors.  We have an awesome community, but making this a neighborhood depends on all of us.

Sorry.  I didn't leave my name on the above post.  I'm Britt Warren on Lorimor Ct.