Moral predicament

[heartastack]

Hi all, hoping the good folk here can help me with a decision.

So I live adjacent to a car-yard and opposite a rooftop apartment building that is a few stories higher than us.
Last night the tenants were having a party and I was startled to hear smashing on my roof. I went outside and there were a bunch of kids (12-14 YO) throwing pebbles/rocks into the car yard. I asked them wtf they were doing and to stop. It worked and they seemed genuinely afraid of being busted.

I assessed the damage this morning and it looks like some cars have smashed windows and dented roofs and sides. Some of these cars are nice BMW's and Mercs.

What I am wondering is should I assist the car yard owners with what I saw so they can pin the damage on the kid's parents.
OR
Should I remain silent and let the insurance company cover the damage as 'vandalism' (I don't even know how it would be handled to be honest).

I would like to bust the little snots but I know the parents are going to be screwwwwed on the damage costs. Those with kids can imagine how bad this would be.

I don't know what to do..

[Vod]

All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing.

[heartastack]

All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing.

I can only imagine you as a Sadhu, living atop a Nepalese mountain and visited by those searching for enlightenment. Only removing your lips from your boob to offer these deep and eternal insights.

[kolloh]

Don't really want them thinking they can get away with it and lead to them doing it again so I would say assist.

[Leeroy Jenkins]

If you can identify the shits, I would say you should do the right thing by notifying the authorities. Otherwise just mind your own business.

[manis]

The kids make a mistake. The parents pay for it.
Even if let us say the insurance company pays for the damage, the yard owner's insurance premiums might increase next time around.

[fish731]

Could you identify them? Were they wearing hoods?

[fcuk]

Hmm.. this is a predicament and is hard to say what the right thing to do is. I'm leaning towards telling the parents of the kids but like you said the insurance covers it. I'm not justying what the children did but I'm sure we all did silly things we regret as children. Maybe they learnt their lesson but if you see them again I'd give them a warning or tell them you'll tell their parents next time.

If you can identify the shits, I would say you should do the right thing by notifying the authorities. Otherwise just mind your own business.

Good point. Can you identify them or know where they live?

[hilariousetc]

Do you know the kids or where they live? If you don't I'd just leave it as if their insurance will cover it then you might as well leave it at that. I understand your predicament but if you can track the parents down just go tell them rather than getting the police or insurance involved or anything. Suppose you could tell the owners of the cars you saw it was kids as they might need that info for their insurance.

[heartastack]

Do you know the kids or where they live? If you don't I'd just leave it as if their insurance will cover it then you might as well leave it at that. I understand your predicament but if you can track the parents down just go tell them rather than getting the police or insurance involved or anything. Suppose you could tell the owners of the cars you saw it was kids as they might need that info for their insurance.

Hi and thanks everyone for the comments.

Yes It's the kids of the house opposite mine. They were throwing polished pot-plant / pavement stones from their rooftop balcony whilst the parents hosted a party.
Yep.. I did stupid shit as a kid, probably didn't damage anyones property in that way but I understand how silly 'dares' can get with a group of hyped up teens.
 
I have decided that I will approach the tenannts and tell them what I saw and that the moral responsibility lies with them to either fess up to the car yard next to us and/or brutally punish their kids (ok bit much but you get it) !

If I get a knock on the door from the Car Yard owners I will tell them what I saw.
Sounds fair I hope!

Cheers

[xhomerx10]

 You should tell the kids what you saw and give them the option of confessing or having you evince their actions.
It's a much better lesson.

[hilariousetc]

Do you know the kids or where they live? If you don't I'd just leave it as if their insurance will cover it then you might as well leave it at that. I understand your predicament but if you can track the parents down just go tell them rather than getting the police or insurance involved or anything. Suppose you could tell the owners of the cars you saw it was kids as they might need that info for their insurance.

Hi and thanks everyone for the comments.

Yes It's the kids of the house opposite mine. They were throwing polished pot-plant / pavement stones from their rooftop balcony whilst the parents hosted a party.
Yep.. I did stupid shit as a kid, probably didn't damage anyones property in that way but I understand how silly 'dares' can get with a group of hyped up teens.
 
I have decided that I will approach the tenannts and tell them what I saw and that the moral responsibility lies with them to either fess up to the car yard next to us and/or brutally punish their kids (ok bit much but you get it) !

If I get a knock on the door from the Car Yard owners I will tell them what I saw.
Sounds fair I hope!

Cheers

I think this is the best way to deal with it to be honest. I'm sure the parents would give the children a scolding but I don't think it's worth them possibly getting a criminal record over and hopefully the kids will just learn their lesson from the bollocking from their parents.

[nor9865]

If you know any of the parents of the children I would report it to them. Cops don't bring nothing but issues. Even if you are trying to help.

[notlist3d]

 You should tell the kids what you saw and give them the option of confessing or having you evince their actions.
It's a much better lesson.

This will do a lot more. If they don't have anything happen and honestly caused a good amount of damage, there is a better chance they will do it again. 

If you know the kids or parents you will have a better feel of what needs to be done.  Chances are getting the parents involved will make a world of difference.  I bet the parents would all get together and pay damages to prevent kids having police/insurance issues.  This way business owner is not out money, and kids will stop doing these actions without a criminal record to follow them.