Dealing with Vandals

[Lieutenant Dan]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

Catching them in the act is vital, on video would absolutely crucify them and the cops and lawyers can do their thing.

Having said that, I can relate my little anecdote, but before I do, I'm relating a story, NOT advocating this course of action!

Back in March, I was under a LOT of stress one night due to family matters, and a foul mood, like, EXTREME. This was around 9pm at night. BANG BANG BANG!! on my front door, then laughter outside. My daughter ran to the door to see the neighborhood 11 yr old PITA run around the corner of the garage. Then, it happened again a couple minutes later and she glimpsed him again. I had had it.

Sooo, went and got my 870 (12 gauge shotgun), emptied it out of shells, triple checked that it was empty, and went to the door and waited.

Saw that miscreant sneaking up to the door again, had my hand on the door knob and it was already turned, waited for him to bang it, then threw open the door. He froze like a deer in headlights. I racked the shotgun and, red-faced, shouted "WHAT??? WHAT DO YOU WANT?? KNOCK THAT **** OFF!!!", and then went back inside.

I muttered to my wife, "Bet he runs home crying to mama about a man pulling a gun on him" but no cops, no mama. That family moved out the following week (but not because of me, they had too many visits from cops and probably got evicted.)

But for that week that PITA was still around, he steered clear of me, and our home.


Couple of points to note:

--I never stepped past my door threshold
--I never pointed the gun AT the kid.
--You are within your rights to answer the door at night with a gun when people are pounding on it.

[NDAlum]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

Prosecute if you can. It will piss their family off and cost them money and will hopefully deter them from doing it further.

[mgoblue]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

Prosecute if you can. It will piss their family off and cost them money and will hopefully deter them from doing it further.

I agree with everyone here...Sucks that you'll have to spend money to get the decent cameras so you can have proof.

If they've been in that house for years, they won't just move to avoid your issue, so the court will eventually win for you in the end.

I'd just warn you to be a little careful, cause a pissed off crazy neighbor can be nasty.

[bkrich83]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

I think the wireless home security cam systems are pretty inexpensive. I would start with those and go from there.

It's unfortunate there's even a marktet for those but it's the way it is unfortunately.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

Want to go even cheaper ? buy one of these deer hunter cameras and attach it somewhere outside your house.

http://www.amazon.com/Primos-Truth-C...ds=deer+camera

[cavsfan2]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

I would catch them in the act on video and record a conversation with the parents that shows that they know about the vandalism and won't do anything to stop it. Give both pieces of evidence to the lawyer and let him do his thing and sue the **** out of them

[Marino]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

We have a police statement from them last night saying that it was not their kids, their kids were at their grandparents house until 10 pm, but the story was that the police were at our house and driving the area at 10 pm and no one pulled up. My mom said she heard kids laughing over it as well.

So, I am going to go lookout with a camera tomorrow, and Wednesday/Thursday if I have to, to catch them in the act. We will have two means of action, the first is call the police, and 2nd, call child services.

[Aggies7]

I think BK said it best. Cameras are the way to go. A Police Investigation will just lead to a Police Report and they will contact the parents but if they deny it is hard to prove.

Set up a wireless camera and see if you can get them on video. Then contact Police again and show them the evidence.

At that point charges can be filed by you or the police.

I will say with egging its a nuisance not a crime unless there is damage to the vehicle. I would also ask the Police to formally trespass all occupants in that house from your property. That could lead to an easy arrest as well with video evidence.

[Lieutenant Dan]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

. I would also ask the Police to formally trespass all occupants in that house from your property. That could lead to an easy arrest as well with video evidence.

Huh...does that act like a restraining order in a way?

[Aggies7]

Huh...does that act like a restraining order in a way?

No basically it acts as a trespass order and if violated it leads to an automatic arrest.

A restraining order/protection order would be hard to get for two reason. There doesn't seem to be an immediate threat on anyone life and two it would be hard to word the order because of wording would most likely have to include a distance which would be hard with them being neighbors.

[Lieutenant Dan]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

No basically it acts as a trespass order and if violated it leads to an automatic arrest.

A restraining order/protection order would be hard to get for two reason. There doesn't seem to be an immediate threat on anyone life and two it would be hard to word the order because of wording would most likely have to include a distance which would be hard with them being neighbors.

Wow, sounds like a cool idea. Is it difficult to obtain one without some kind of proof of wrongdoing?

[Aggies7]

Wow, sounds like a cool idea. Is it difficult to obtain one without some kind of proof of wrongdoing?

It shouldn't be. And if there is any trouble very simple. Post 3 signs on your property that say NO TRESPASSING VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED. You can find a sign like that in most hardware stores.

The signs must be posted in a area which can be seen by anyone coming on to your property.

Some police agencies maybe hesitant to just hand out trespass notices but the sign is a way around even needing a trespass order.

The charge will be something along the lines of: Trespassing on Property where marked by sign

Biggest issue for charge to stick is the sign has to be clearly posted. And the video would help with that. You catch them on video with a clearly posted sign it would be easy to go to your local commissioners office and pursue your own charges or turn it over to Police and allow them to follow up with charges.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

Damn Aggie, you a clever guy.

[jeremym480]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

Two words : Bear - traps

[dickey1331]

Re: Dealing with Vandals

I dont really have any advice but I really hope you catch those ****ers.