My family and I live in a quiet street we are about half way up the street. The last few days I have noticed a aprox 50 year old man racing a remote control car up the street half way and driving it out the front of my house and the people
Across the road (we are the families with kids )
He was just playing with his car and the kids from across the road were chasing the little car giggling and it was almost
As if he was drawing them back toward his end of the street.
My children are not
Allowed in the street without me (they are
Also toddlers however).
When I walked out and the man was aware of me he ducked right back into his driveway.
As I went away he came back out and repeated himself.
The mother of the other kids came out and called
Her kids back and when he seen her he took
Off again inside.
Firstly I just want to know am I looking into it too much like he might just
Like remote
Control cars and kids
Laughing.
What do I do about it? How do I proceed ? The situation made me feel uncomfortable.
Why couldn’t he just keep his car down his end for
God sake.
10 Replies
We used to live in a street where a grown man would drive his remote control car around the road. I thought it was really odd but it was just an old man who liked remote control cars LOL
does sound a little concerning that he was drawn to the houses with children and that you felt he was trying to draw then towards his house. Definitely keep an eye out and maybe mention. To the other neighbors with kids
There was a guy that was regularly driving his remote control car around my area recently too (he was quite a nuisance actually). People were understandably concerned about his peculiar behavior and the police were notified.
This particular guy was harmless, albeit suffering with some mental health issues (hence the alarming behavior). The police spoke to him and let him know he couldn't approach random kids because they and their parents were frightened and that driving his RC car on the road is illegal so not to do it.
That seems to have helped the situation.
Just keep an eye on things, don't disregard the feeling of something being off. It may well be nothing but you never know.
Lots of adult men have remote control cars. There are even social club for certain specific types. My husband has a rock crawler and one that's insanely fast. Whenever he uses them, regardless of whether he's testing it on the street or we're on holidays, kids follow him/chase the car. He always said thank god he had our kids so the other parents don't think he's luring the kids. He probably stopped for a moment so you could get your kids and then continued on with his life. I think you're villianising him unnecessarily. Tell your kids playing on the road is not allowed and reinforce they don't ever go into someone's house without you and be done with it.
Just keep an eye on your kids and a close eye on the neighbourhood kids while they are playing. More observation might put you’re mind at ease or it may make it clearer if he is up to something. Could be innocent but there’s also a lot to be said for gut feelings.
My adult son and I probably look like predators every time I take him to the playground. What people don’t see is he has a severe intellectual disability and just loves playing on the equipment and it’s good exercise for him. Even though my son was no where near there children, minding his own business I’ve seen the suspicious looks.
Don’t start a witch hunt. Watch your children. Nothing to worry about if you are doing that.
Can I ask why your toddlers were outside without supervision? Anything could have happened like chasing a ball into the street.
I don’t think the man was luring the kids away he probably went back inside so you could get your kids off the road
The OP said her children weren’t allowed out the front without her.
Perhaps he just likes playing with the cars but doesn’t have any interest in chatting to anyone so leaves when adults approach. If he were trying to chat to children after “drawing” them down then I’d be sus if he spoke to children but ran away when adults approached. Will add that most of the men where I lived and walked my dog loved remote cars and now drones. Most will continue for children to enjoy but avoid boring convo with adults.
watch your children, neighbours children and him like a hawk. Call the police / Crime stoppers and tell them what you see, how you feel.
I would be totally suspicious if he was hiding at any stage. That's not normal and sadly yes could be grooming. We had an old man walk down the street and give our kids rose petals at the front gate. First time it was ok, after that I was suspicious and then I smelled them and they had been sprayed with perfume! Then I said to the kids they were never to speak to that man again and I have kept them out of the front yard. Thankfully I think he had left the area. I would presume yours is not safe from what you have described so would think through your response to the kids.