Topic: I’m managing a C class property with lots of teenage kids!

I’m managing a C class property with lots of kids! Most of them teenagers who get into all kinds of trouble. Breaking windows and vandalism. Don’t know who most of them belong to or where they live. How would you find out? What can I do to give these kids something to do besides beat up my property we’re working hard to clean up.

I would start with a notice to all residents about acceptable behaviors from residents.
What amenities do you already have?

I would try doing something nice for them. It's hard being a kid living in an apartment, they do get bored and their parents may be working. Maybe serve ice cream or give out snacks as they come home from school if you have it in your budget. If you do something nice for them, maybe they will choose not to be bad and cause trouble.

sport court ,
playground, picnic tables and grills with pagodas.

Have teen events. Have them sign in amd start learning them. It takes time but I did it and before I knew it. We knew them.

Bribery and interaction worked for me. Talk to them as a person. Find out what they would like to do. DO NOT talk to them as mgmt nor as their friend. Be curious and open to what they say. Have drinks, snacks, etc available to them. Build rapport.

I had younger kids who wanted to do something. I said we could use help keeping the grounds picked up. Gave them gloves and a bag. They brought the trash back and we gave them snacks and drinks. Parents loved it!

This has worked very well for me on 2 different properties. We also took their photo and featured them on our Social Media pages. Big ego boost...before long they were cleaning up without me organizing it or sending out notices. Truly amazing to watch.

I did this also and it was a double benefit and it give the kids some purpose so they didn’t want to harm what you are trying so hard to make nice.

Have a Snapchat or Instagram contest. Have them post a pic and tag your community and use other hashtags. Get a big prize and chat it up. Meet them off the bus with pop cycles. Celebrate their accomplishments. Have them bring in their good test scores and give them a treat. It’s so hard, but if you gain their trust and can befriend some of them, they will respect you and in return the property. Been there done that. It’s a process. Good luck!!

Thank you for the feedback. I have never been at a property with this many kiddos!

And cameras are a good idea.

Rewards program for information that leads to prosecution, productive activities, mentor programs

Kids definitely have a harder time doing these kinds of things if they know you and your staff. Make a point of getting to know them. Functions where they can hang out and have fun will help. Also get involved with your local PD, promote National night out with the local PD, get involved with crime free program with them if they have one. This could help you immensely

Reach out the to the nearest YMCA. Sponsor the kids for after school programs.

For the littler kids we used to promote good behavior by rewarding kids with prizes, popsicles, popcorn, chocolate, etc..if my staff or myself “caught them being good” I had more kids volunteering to pick up trash on my property and bringing bags in to get little prizes then I could shake a stick at!
AND these kids were my “informants” and would let me know what was really going on, on the property!

In my personal opinion, the key to keeping the kids on the property from destroying stuff is to get them on your side. If they don't like you they will do stuff just to spite you. At 1 of my properties if they picked picked up one bag of trash we would have a pizza party every other Friday. They went from tearing stuff up to reporting other kids that were tearing stuff up. Totally worked for me. If you take a hard approach it's not going to help. Trying to get the parents involved has not been successful for me because the parents are already not involved which is why these kids have all this idle time on their hands to get in to trouble.

My opinion rewards are better than consequences. Positive influence will be better yet with a firm expectation of right and wrong. I grew up as a latch key kid. Everyone needs a purpose.

I would sponsor Scout groups, or sports teams (baseball, football, basketball, soccer, etc)..... kids need an outlet, make it a positive one.... I have so many good childhood memories from my time in Scouts; whether it be something we did or learned, or a friend I made (many of those I am still in contact with FOUR DECADES later)....

If they are damaging the property call the police find out where they live give the family a warning letter about controlling the kids , if happens again give them notice to vacate

Have an electronic gaming contest or start a gaming group

Get a salt gun and drive the property at night. Once you see one , aim and fire. Let them feel the sting.

Install landmines throughout the heavy traffic areas. Be prepared to have your landscaper out the next day.