To contact the school?

[AIBU2023]

Teens on their way to and from school have started using my neighbours garden to smoke and take drugs. Neighbour is currently on holiday so they are unaware and can’t confront the kids.

Today I saw the kids hide a bag in the garden. I’m disabled and concerned about confronting the teens but I’m worried about the safety of my neighbours house if the teens discover they are on holiday.

I decided to take a photo of the teens and email it to the school to ask them to ensure they don’t use people’s gardens on the way to and from school.

I told my husband what I’ve done and he has hit the roof. He said they school won’t do anything and I shouldn’t take photos of school kids.

I’m upset. Have I done the wrong thing?

YABU - done the wrong thing
YANBU - done the right thing

No, it's fine. But send it to the police too.

There's nothing wrong with photos that you're sending to the school or the police. It would only be wrong if you were sharing them publicly on Facebook or similar.

Have you deleted it now?

You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m curious about your husband’s reaction. “Hit the roof” sounds like an overreaction. Sounds like he’s also reacting to past things you’ve done that he doesn’t like? Why was he so set off?

Completely straightforward behaviour on your part, totally the opposite on your DH’s part.

This. And make sure you do send to police. You can report online.

You are perfectly in the right. Did your DH say why the photos you took were wrong? I once took a photo of teens who had set off a firework in public whilst wearing their uniform. Got a reply from the school saying they had identified them and dealt with it.

The only concern I might have is if the kids discover / work out it was someone in your house who complained and retaliate somehow - that doesn't mean it was wrong to report them, and any future issues should be reported to school /police as appropriate anyway.