Dang Jim, sorry to see what happened to your rig. Well, since you were in the process of selling it anyway, maybe it's all for the better??? I dunno.
Anyhooo, I hope all goes well with the insurance settlement.
I hope the parents (and kids) are made to pay in appropriate amounts for both of their irresponsibility. The parents should definately be held accountable, and the kids... With parents like theirs apparently are, I would doubt that they will suffer any consequences, unfortunately.
What kind of adults are they going to grow up to become if they don't learn the old concept "ya play - ya pay"? Arson is a very serious crime! Troubling as well.

 

Yeah, the lady at the Victim Assistance dept said she thought the small claims limit was $1,500. I thought it was $2,500, but it maybe $5,000 by now. I will find out when I contact the attorney. I have no doubt I will win the case, but doubt I will get much money unless I can garnish her wages (assuming she is working). The lady also says there is a victims compensation department in California and gave me the phone number for that. So it looks like I will be busy Monday.)

Tim

Yeah, I can only imagine what kind of adults these kids are going to grow up to be. There was no reason for them to be in my truck, and I have found out from neighbors here that they have chased them away from their vehicles too. They just did not torch them.

Yes, I was selling it to finance a home based business I am starting up. Had it sold too, but couldn't deliver it on the scheduled day because the buyer had a family emergency. Two days later, I had one.

I found out some interesting stats in my research. 55% of all arsons in this country are commited by children, and Fresno County is ranked number 5 in the nation. That is not a good sign. That means only 4 other counties in the entire US have more than us. I also found out we used to be number 1 in auto thefts too, but have since fallen to number 2 right behind Miami Florida. I am living in the wrong place....

 

Just googled this regarding the limit. Appears to be older info, and I don't know if the limit was ever raised to 7500, but just make a call to the courthouse, no reason to spend a cent on an attorney

http://www.chs-law.com/2005/11/calif...ll-claims.html

 

I know small claims court amount, here in S.F., is $7,500.

Does that amount apply to the rest of the state?

 

Yes...small claims are state dependent...you don't get special treatment for being in SF

 

You should...psychological treatment anyway...

 

Yeah if it is $7,500 in SF it will be $7,500 in Fresno. Well, I can save attorney's fees, that is cool, but still, I don't know what getting a judgment against her will do if she is on welfare, or a low income. However, it will still make me feel good. If the insurance will pay my claim, I will be happy. I do want those kids off the property though. They should have to pay for this somehow. I have every intention of getting CPS involved.

 

Careful Dan. You do have to pass through S.F. to get to
Daly City (Cow Palace).

 

Definitely yes on CPS.

Another fire could be deadly.

You could be saving their lives, or someone else's life.

Good luck.

 

Well, I don't care about saving their lives, but I would want to keep them from damaging anyone else's vehicles. I would love to take a belt to their behinds. but I would be the one to go to jail for "child abuse"

 

In the defense of the kids, and for all of you who are honest... Who didnt do stupid stuff like this when they were kids? Granted it's stupid, kids will be kids. I know I wouldn't have learned without doing dumb things that could have easily resulted in getting hurt.

On a brighter note the Police are most definitely involved, especially if they couldnt find their parents, CPS is the only other option, can't send them to Juvenile hall w/o notifying parent or guardian under age 14.

I want some parts off your rig if they are still for sale! Check PM's

 

Jim - Sorry I haven't responded back to you. For some reason, I just breezed over this thread a few days back and just didn't read it thoroughly enough. Lot's going on over here these days.

I talked to Mike today and I think we might be able to work something out. I don't have the room to work on this so I didn't know what to do. Mike has offered a little storage space so I might be able to help a bit. I'll PM you. What I don't use we'll take care of or use on the project truck / offer it up to other members if that is OK with you. Yes, a few $$$'s from me would be involved. ;-)

I'll PM you - AJ

 

That works for me. I am glad the parts that survived the fire will be put to good use. I'll give you a call after work tonight.

 

[QUOTE=kawasakiklx]In the defense of the kids, and for all of you who are honest... Who didnt do stupid stuff like this when they were kids? Granted it's stupid, kids will be kids. I know I wouldn't have learned without doing dumb things that could have easily resulted in getting hurt.

QUOTE]

I did some stupid stuff as a kid, but never went so far as to destroy peoples property...well, maybe an occaisional mailbox here and there...

 

I agree to some extent about doing stupid things when we are kids, but I also knew right from wrong back then and never would have even thought about burning down a vehicle that did not belong to me. When I palyed with matches it was on a concrete driveway and I was burning notebook paper (my homework maybe?) not throwing them in a car/truck window to see if it would indeed burn the entire thing.

I will get my satisfaction when I take the boy's mother, and girl's father to court. And even more if they actually pay me what they owe me. I am sending the insurance claim in this week, and that too may make me a happy camper. However, I did not have any luck with them the last time I filed a claim so I don't know if they will come through for me this time or not. Worst they can do is say no.