I ain't a narc, so I would have talked to them. I don't squeal on people. I don't want anyone squealing on me. If asked, I wouldn't lie, but I wouldn't volunteer an information, just they way I am. Maybe talking to them turns them around, maybe not, but I would want to divert the kids from a lifestyle that I believe will lead them nowhere.
Trader Jorge, This is my favorite ridiculous argument against pot smoking and legalization. Each of the problems you mentioned disappears if pot is legalized. The funding of various unsavories and the cost of prosecuting and housing non violent offenders is a result of the silly law, not of possessing or smoking pot. The mafia made a lot of money during Prohibition too. That was a reason to revoke that stupid law, not a justification of it. This is just like the bloated drug-related crime stats, which are almost entirely a direct result of the law and not the drug. First the government bans a drug which is commonly considered to be less harmful than various other legal drugs and foods (not to mention oil which, by the way, is only 'necessary' as you said because all you 'right-wing conspirators' refuse to consider cleaner, more efficient alt energy sources), then they say drugs are bad because we spend money prosecuting a victimless crime. And it is victimless. But in your own snide, holier than thou words, nice try.
I think my answer would likely depend upon whether or not I was trying to raise a young child in that complex, or if I knew children in that complex that I felt semi-responsible for helping that I wouldn't want to be exposed to that behaviour. If that were the case, I would've probably said something, or maybe even called the cops, I don't know. If not, I wouldn't have done anything.
I definitely would not have called the cops. I may have said something like take it inside, and if I was an acquaintence of any sort of parental figure, I would've considered telling them. TheFreak, good points.
Update: got back from a date tonight and the same two kids, this time with two friends, were out there doing the same thing. Sorry, but I'm narcing tomorrow.
Narc away. You are making the right choice. Who wants to live in an apartment complex with overt drug abuse?
Aw come on...if they are making it a habit of it, then go ahead and tell them not to do it anymore, at least not around you or the place you live. Give them a chance to shape up before you call the cops. At least that's what I would do...unless of course, they gave me some for free...a friend with weed is a friend indeed!
dang, you'd think they'd learn about toting up in public after their initial encounter with you! NARC those punks out!
If you wanted to get them to stop, but don't want to say 'don't smoke pot around here,' or to have to call the cops, I thought of an alternative. You could say...'nothing but the silky smoke from the finest kind bud touches the BK man's nose, so if you want to smoke that cheap ass Mexican gas weed go someplace else.'
Kagy, I'd try talking to parents, or even the apartment complex before calling the cops. This could be the straw that breaks the camel's back if you call the cops.
How illegal is illegal enough to narc? Mary Jane? No cocaine? Heroin? Mugging? What about stealing a loaf of bread? Stealing a car. . that is not yours? Rocket River
Mary Jane? No cocaine? No Heroin? No if they're dumb enough to do one of these two in public, they'll be caught on it or something else soon enough... if i caught people consuming illegal drugs once, i wouldn't do anything about it. plus the fact the mj is so commonplace in society, personally i might let it slide a few times (for those of age only)... as for children, its one strike, than you're out... Mugging? yes What about stealing a loaf of bread? yes Stealing a car. . that is not yours? yes the above 3 involve <b>direct</b> interaction with other people, or other people's personal property... if that's the case, i'm busting you ASAP!
I agree with drapg, BrianKagy. I can understand your concern. But if your concern is for the kids, jail or juvenile detention is not in their best interest. And it would be worse for them than pot. If you're tempted to call the cops on them -- especially if it's out of concern for their welfare -- do them the favor of warning them first. If you catch them again after telling them you'll narc, their bad. If you narc without warning, you haven't done them a favor but a disservice. Same goes for telling their parents without warning them first. If you don't want to confront them (and I wouldn't fault you that), you could post a note in your complex saying that someone's been seen smoking pot and if they're seen again they'll be prosecuted. Or leave that kind of note in people's mailboxes. Narcing without warning will do more harm than good.
Pot is a Gateway drug. Sometimes you have to nip things in the bud. [so to speak] I'm not fond of our justice system [esp since they track certain groups and use bull**** charges just to get ya prints for 'future' reference] but my thing is that we Tolerate so much . . . when do you we put our foot down? Rocket River
To clarify, I meant narc to the apartment complex. We'll see how they handle it. If I see it again, I'll call the cops. Update-- just got off the phone with the apartment manager. They said "call the cops" going forward, so that's what I'm going to do. The clincher to me was the second instance. Were it a one-time thing, it would bother me considerably less. The fact that they came back and brought friends leads me to believe they think they've found a safe spot where they can smoke out. Well, sorry, but for the rent I pay at this place, I don't want to host the White Trash Teenage PotFest each weekend. I specifically chose this complex because it's generally too expensive for students-- most of the people who live in the complex are either young professionals or married couples, meaning we don't have a problem with noise disturbances and so forth. If I see it again, it will be the third time. I think letting it slide once was generous on my part. Twice was definitely a mistake-- much too accomodating. There won't be a third time.
Good call. If they don't do anything, there's not much else you can do except talk to the parents...but that may get a little hairy.
RM95-- sorry for the big edit after you'd already posted. Although I have no evidence to support this (just a gut feeling), I don't think these kids live in the apartment complex. The manager I spoke to said she didn't know of any teenage residents (renters or children of renters), so I don't think talking to the parents is going to be an option.
That is the place to start I mean . . . Talk to them Then the apt Then the Cops Maybe talk to a parent or two. Their is step by step process. you seem to have given them the benefit of the doubt. But they young'uns seem to have taken you not saying anything the 1st time as 'oh he down . . he won't say anything' rather than you giving them a shot to move around. Rocket River
That does change things Brian. I'd maybe give them a "Get the **** out of here or I'm calling the cops", but most likely, I'd call the cops at that point.
All the pro-pot posters on the BBS, now's the time for you to step up to the plate and offer up your crib as a place for these poor kids to have their pot-fest. They have no place else to go! They're about to get sent to the pokey!
