In fact, it meant I needed to be especially careful.
"Here's what we're going to do," I said. "Nobody touches the car again. Nobody leaves with any property belonging to me. I'm going to call for an officer to document what happened."
The woman immediately lifted her chin.
"You're threatening us with the police?"
"No, ma'am. I'm reporting property damage."
Her son glanced toward the street.
"It's barely a dent."
I looked at him.
"Then it should have been very easy not to make it."
His mother stepped between us.
"He didn't mean to damage anything."
I stared at her.
"He walked up to a parked car and kicked it."
"He was frustrated."
"That doesn't make it accidental."
Her expression hardened again.
"You can't arrest my son just because you're angry."
"I'm not arresting him."
I held up my phone.
"And I'm not going to investigate damage to my own property. Another agency can make the decisions."
That seemed to confuse her.
She had apparently expected me to either threaten them with my badge or retreat from the confrontation. The possibility that I might calmly preserve evidence and request an independent response didn't fit the argument she was prepared to have.
I called the nonemergency dispatch line and explained the situation.
I identified myself, stated that I was off duty, and requested a report concerning damage to my personal vehicle. I also asked that a supervisor coordinate an independent response because I was directly involved.
The dispatcher understood immediately.
Within minutes, a patrol supervisor contacted me.
He asked whether anyone was injured.
"No."
"Any immediate threat?"
"Not at the moment."
"Do you need emergency assistance?"
"No. I need the incident documented and referred appropriately."
He confirmed that officers would respond.
I ended the call.
The HOA president had been listening.
Her expression changed again.
"Perhaps we've all gotten a little carried away."
I looked toward the dent.
"I didn't kick anyone's car."
She gave a nervous laugh.
"There's no need to be unreasonable."
Her son shifted beside her.
"Mom, let's just go."
I looked at him.
"You're free to speak with the responding officers when they arrive. I'd recommend you stay available."
His mother immediately said, "We have an appointment."