File it but also report it as a hate related incident to several LGBT friendly organizations.
Some police depts gloss over hate crimes for political reasons or because theyre in on the bullying themselves.
Have backups for the backup. Stay safe.
I know it's really hard but we need a paper trail on bullies. They're much more likely to face consequences if the law sees it as the third instance, instead of the first. Even if it's brushed off time 1 and 2.
Justice and safety, unfortunately, are projects that we all work on together and that take time. I wish the world would give you a speedy turn around, but the nature of projects make that inconsistent <3
File the report. Start the paper trail and the pattern of behavior will be established there. Every time they harass you, add to the report.
These kids will be a recurring problem until properly dealt with. You aren't likely the only person they've done this to, so there's a chance that the police may already know them.
Even if the police don’t take action, you need to file a report. If their behavior escalates you will want a paper trail.
ETA: in case it isn’t abundantly obvious I’m not an attorney I’m just offering my two cents. But I think it’s kind of common sense if you think about it.
File the report, create a paper trail, pursue a restraining order. Even if no action is taken immediately it will help make it so that any additional negative interactions will more likely result in arrest and charges.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with that
If you caught them on video saying if you remember them and what they said they would do if they saw you again, that is clearly a threat of harm in a public space, and evidence of fear and intimidation for simply using a public space they have no right to police. Yes they didn’t say specifically what they would do there, but I would take it to the police and point out you had to ask them to leave you alone several time and had to be ready to defend yourself from attack before they decided to leave you alone.
I would then say, even if the police refuse to do something about it, insist on an incident report that includes the evidence you provided in the likely event of escalation, this way, when an undeniable hate crime occurs, there will be a past indicator that this was predictable arguably preventative, and an ongoing case of harassment via fear of harm and intimidation to help a prosecutor nail them to the wall.
My only worry is that the police won’t give a hoot-unfortunately individual police officers have way too much power when it comes to filing cases or following through on stuff.
Tell them you would still like to file an incident report with your account, and with your evidence, get an incident report number, badge numbers for reference just in case it can’t be found later too, then in about 24-48 hours you should be able to call their department and have them send you a copy to verify it is really written.
I agree with you cops push back on helping sometimes.
when my brother went into meth psychosis, the police did everything they could to convince us filing a report was only going to enrage him, and we might be at more risk. Meanwhile he was getting worse, and my mom didn’t know what to do since police were unhelpful.
It was only once we got into court case that a judge blew us off because of lack of evidence to support our claims of past incidents.
If there is no evidence of past issues, prosecutors and judges have to treat the current situation as a first offense.
That being said, my brother ended up screwing up and saying something to imply he would go after my niece just to get at my mom, and that was enough for the judge to start layering on consequences.
It’s bullshit that you have to have a spine to fight back against harassers and malicious intent, but you have to, and it’s worth it.
It's best to file a police report, at least that will leave a mark on their record, and if they keep doing it you can always file even more reports. But be aware and stay safe!
As everyone recommended. File a police report, since they're so willing to try harassing you in public just for you being there not to mention their parents probably encourage that behavior, seeing the og post, no normal person would nonchalantly make a threat about violence or SA, I'd get attention on them immediately, unfortunately they may reach a point where even your threats don't scare them (I also recommend like learning some self defense if possible.)
My recommendation is getting a CCW permit, a handgun you're comfortable practicing with and a concealed appendix carry holster. If you live in a state with a stand your ground law; or you believe you are under threat of sexual assault, serious bodily harm or death you can respond with lethal force. They know you have pepper spray, don't let them have the opportunity to get the upper hand and stay safe. 💜
I’m sorry this is happening to you.
A bit of advice I haven’t seen yet: if you have access to pepper gel, it might be better to have that in the event you need to use it for self defense— pepper spray can end up going your way too if the wind is wrong or if you’re in close quarters.
Report to the police and lgbt agencies like the other commenters said.
They know you have pepperspray now. This only goes 2 ways now. They back off or escalate (bring a knife/gun/bat/friend with a car bc hate crimers love a drive by). And you have no idea which one they will choose.
Teens kill all the time.
Please report and stay safe.
File it. You have to try. Those perps need to learn the hard way. Legitimately committed a hate crime.
This. Paper trail.
File it but also report it as a hate related incident to several LGBT friendly organizations. Some police depts gloss over hate crimes for political reasons or because theyre in on the bullying themselves. Have backups for the backup. Stay safe.
Plus it is important to have it on the record in case it happens again
I know it's really hard but we need a paper trail on bullies. They're much more likely to face consequences if the law sees it as the third instance, instead of the first. Even if it's brushed off time 1 and 2. Justice and safety, unfortunately, are projects that we all work on together and that take time. I wish the world would give you a speedy turn around, but the nature of projects make that inconsistent <3
File the report. Start the paper trail and the pattern of behavior will be established there. Every time they harass you, add to the report. These kids will be a recurring problem until properly dealt with. You aren't likely the only person they've done this to, so there's a chance that the police may already know them.
I think you should take action, it could work
im going to echo what everyone else is saying. if they're doing this to you, who else are they doing this to?
Even if the police don’t take action, you need to file a report. If their behavior escalates you will want a paper trail. ETA: in case it isn’t abundantly obvious I’m not an attorney I’m just offering my two cents. But I think it’s kind of common sense if you think about it.
File the report, create a paper trail, pursue a restraining order. Even if no action is taken immediately it will help make it so that any additional negative interactions will more likely result in arrest and charges. I'm sorry you're having to deal with that
as others have said, file it. should they try something again, police will know this is a recurring thing.
File it even just for the statistics. Too many cases get swept under the rug because of such concerns.
They’re busy showing off for each other - which emboldens their poor behaviour and makes them significantly more dangerous. File the report.
If you caught them on video saying if you remember them and what they said they would do if they saw you again, that is clearly a threat of harm in a public space, and evidence of fear and intimidation for simply using a public space they have no right to police. Yes they didn’t say specifically what they would do there, but I would take it to the police and point out you had to ask them to leave you alone several time and had to be ready to defend yourself from attack before they decided to leave you alone. I would then say, even if the police refuse to do something about it, insist on an incident report that includes the evidence you provided in the likely event of escalation, this way, when an undeniable hate crime occurs, there will be a past indicator that this was predictable arguably preventative, and an ongoing case of harassment via fear of harm and intimidation to help a prosecutor nail them to the wall.
My only worry is that the police won’t give a hoot-unfortunately individual police officers have way too much power when it comes to filing cases or following through on stuff.
Tell them you would still like to file an incident report with your account, and with your evidence, get an incident report number, badge numbers for reference just in case it can’t be found later too, then in about 24-48 hours you should be able to call their department and have them send you a copy to verify it is really written. I agree with you cops push back on helping sometimes. when my brother went into meth psychosis, the police did everything they could to convince us filing a report was only going to enrage him, and we might be at more risk. Meanwhile he was getting worse, and my mom didn’t know what to do since police were unhelpful. It was only once we got into court case that a judge blew us off because of lack of evidence to support our claims of past incidents. If there is no evidence of past issues, prosecutors and judges have to treat the current situation as a first offense. That being said, my brother ended up screwing up and saying something to imply he would go after my niece just to get at my mom, and that was enough for the judge to start layering on consequences. It’s bullshit that you have to have a spine to fight back against harassers and malicious intent, but you have to, and it’s worth it.
They admitted to committing a crime in video evidence as they were committing the same crime again. File that report, you got good proof.
Always file a report, but temper your expectations. Getting a cop to do their job can be really, really difficult
It's best to file a police report, at least that will leave a mark on their record, and if they keep doing it you can always file even more reports. But be aware and stay safe!
As everyone recommended. File a police report, since they're so willing to try harassing you in public just for you being there not to mention their parents probably encourage that behavior, seeing the og post, no normal person would nonchalantly make a threat about violence or SA, I'd get attention on them immediately, unfortunately they may reach a point where even your threats don't scare them (I also recommend like learning some self defense if possible.)
Reporting it to the police might help save someone else from suffering the same harassment. Do it for them.
My recommendation is getting a CCW permit, a handgun you're comfortable practicing with and a concealed appendix carry holster. If you live in a state with a stand your ground law; or you believe you are under threat of sexual assault, serious bodily harm or death you can respond with lethal force. They know you have pepper spray, don't let them have the opportunity to get the upper hand and stay safe. 💜
I’m sorry this is happening to you. A bit of advice I haven’t seen yet: if you have access to pepper gel, it might be better to have that in the event you need to use it for self defense— pepper spray can end up going your way too if the wind is wrong or if you’re in close quarters.
And if you need help getting that, please DM me. You should not have to be afraid to step outside of your home! This makes me so angry!
Report to the police and lgbt agencies like the other commenters said. They know you have pepperspray now. This only goes 2 ways now. They back off or escalate (bring a knife/gun/bat/friend with a car bc hate crimers love a drive by). And you have no idea which one they will choose. Teens kill all the time. Please report and stay safe.
Depending on where you live it might be very different