Shoulda woulda-I think back to my youth and how easy it is to Create a record (I didn't) but I'd sure put myself in the teenager's shoes and remember I was young once. I'd give them a chance to make things right unless they got uppity which some do these days. Either way I'd let them know I was armed just to sort of even the odds.
It’s in the original thread, but it did get exciting for a bit. The deputy and I found a partial group hiding in the woods and he used his hand held radio to ask for help processing all the kids. Because he was slightly out of range, his repeater only got out his name and in broken radio communication, two more deputies and one OHP just heard officer needs help, so the three arrived at the location in full fight mode.
I was walking back towards them to give location of the original deputy and heard bolts closing on AR’s at their vehicles, with lights headed my way so I got real vocal about who I was and where I was. Then just stood there talking to them until they spotted me. Poor radio communication caused the issue.