Firefighters II

[poliphilo]

The kids had another go at burning down the fence on the far side of the back alley- only this time there were five of them when I went out with my bowl of water and  I got shouted at and had burning sticks waved in my face. I decided (if indeed you actually make decisions in these situations) that I'd call their bluff and just get on with the job- so I did and came out of it unscathed- but it has rattled me some.

Comments

[momof2girls.livejournal.com]

WTF?? Why are these kids trying to burn down the fence?

I'd be careful about confronting them - if they will attempt arson, they might attack you. Don't risk your own life, even for a good cause!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Why are they trying to burn down the fence? God knows. I suppose they think it would be cool. Pretty flames and all that. Kids are dumb.

If it happens again I shall probably be a little more circumspect. Yes, I took a big risk. I guess that makes me as dumb as they are.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

Well done on not backing down. But if it happens again, I think you'd better phone the fire brigade or possibly even better, the police. The kids might actually like the excitement of the fire brigade arriving and that would only encourage them to do it again.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

After last night I sort of understand how it happens that fire officers get pelted with rocks when they tackle out of control bonfires.

These kids were really proprietorial towards their fire- and outraged that I was trying to put it out.

If there's a next time- and I hope there won't be- I'm certainly going to be less gung-ho in my response.

[ibid.livejournal.com]

I think the only thing to do is to show them who's in charge and act the scary grown up - I don't think they'll get any better if they grow up thinking they can act in an intimidating fasion.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think I acted like I wasn't scared of them. As much as possible I just carried on with my fire-fighting activities as though they weren't there. Hopefully I'll have given them something to think about.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

If the kids have any sense, they'll realise you're watching out for them and will go elsewhere to light their fires. I know this doesn't totally solve the problem, but at least it means it's not your problem.

When I was young we had lots of waste land and bomb sites on which to build fires and generally mess about. These sites must all have been cleared and built on by now, so kids don't have these waste places to play on.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Like you I feel some sympathy for the kids. I even admire their pluck. When I was their age I wouldn't have dared confront an adult the way they confronted me.

[momof2girls.livejournal.com]

It doesn't make you dumb - it makes you brave for wanting to stand up to them and nip things in the bud before they escalate further. I would just hate to see you get hurt because of it!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

At some subconscious level one calculates the degree of risk.

I got away with it that time, but next time I'll be less foolhardy.