We live in a smallish block of flats which has a 'green' outside. We are on the ground floor, right next to the main door to the flats, so in the summer, all the kids are out there, smashing their footballs off of my windows.
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the kids playing outside on the green, but there is a huge back garden, which is fenced off and only accessed through the rear door to the block. There are no washing lines dotted around this area, as you so often get with flats. I just don't see the need for it. At the same time, there is a huge park across the road and I mean literally opposite the flats, which has a purpose built football pitch etc.
Why do the kids need to play out the front when there is, IMO safer spaces available? Sorry, this subject riles me. DH has had several dents to his car (which he drives for a living) and broken windows. They always tend to aim the ball purposely at the window to DD's bedroom, usually when she is trying to sleep.
Things got so bad last year with the ball thwacking against my windows, that DH screamed at these kids to go and play somewhere else because of DD (and because its just plain annoying) and they haven't been back since. One kid was our next door neighbours DS and he came and apologised to us for the window thing. He now tells his mates that they have to play somewhere else because it isnt fair. His mum came with him, so knew the full score and surprisingly, was on our side.