Snoopy, This may not be an option for you, but have you considered moving? You can do a lot of things as have been suggested by others, however if you succeed in getting them kicked out, what's to keep them from continuing to harass you? They know where you live. Good luck on finding a resolve to this issue. ez
catching a thieving rat in the act
- Thread starter 9mmsnoopy
- Start date
JoeBlackSpade
New member
Well said, Whitefeather.
Shooting teenagers with paint balls, or digging pungi stakes into the ground... these ideas SOUND hilarious, and appeal to that little twisted side in each one of us, that wants to see those kids bit on the butt by a Rottweiler.
The problem is that none of those punks are worth doing a week in the clink for. Shoot someone's kid with paint balls, and you are going to jail for assault. Hiring another teenager to "whip em up" is no better. Not only would you NOT solve the problem, you'll create more complications for your life than you want or need. These ideas are funny, and in some small measure, writing them out gives us a bit of release for pent-up frustration. Each of us has come across idiots before, and some of us have imagined them stepping into a loop of rope that snatches them up into the air, dangling by one leg- like an episode of Bugs Bunny. Such ideas, humorous though they may be, belong in fantasy land, and that's where they should stay.
Re: tripwires and alarms-
The post I made earlier involved using a trip-wire to SOUND AN ALARM. I also provided a link to a company that manufactures simple trip-wire alarms. It's an inexpensive way of alerting you to a potential robbery/vandalism act. I am not advocating creating booby traps in your yard, I'm merely offering a way of creating a basic alarm system that will cost a few dollars at most to install.
Good lighting systems- coupled with motion detectors, and properly placed alarms will pretty much eliminate the problem.
Good luck.
Shooting teenagers with paint balls, or digging pungi stakes into the ground... these ideas SOUND hilarious, and appeal to that little twisted side in each one of us, that wants to see those kids bit on the butt by a Rottweiler.
The problem is that none of those punks are worth doing a week in the clink for. Shoot someone's kid with paint balls, and you are going to jail for assault. Hiring another teenager to "whip em up" is no better. Not only would you NOT solve the problem, you'll create more complications for your life than you want or need. These ideas are funny, and in some small measure, writing them out gives us a bit of release for pent-up frustration. Each of us has come across idiots before, and some of us have imagined them stepping into a loop of rope that snatches them up into the air, dangling by one leg- like an episode of Bugs Bunny. Such ideas, humorous though they may be, belong in fantasy land, and that's where they should stay.
Re: tripwires and alarms-
The post I made earlier involved using a trip-wire to SOUND AN ALARM. I also provided a link to a company that manufactures simple trip-wire alarms. It's an inexpensive way of alerting you to a potential robbery/vandalism act. I am not advocating creating booby traps in your yard, I'm merely offering a way of creating a basic alarm system that will cost a few dollars at most to install.
Good lighting systems- coupled with motion detectors, and properly placed alarms will pretty much eliminate the problem.
Good luck.
Capt. Charlie
Moderator Emeritus
Whitefeather and Joe nailed it.
Normally, I would simply delete posts suggesting illegal activity. They don't reflect well on The Firing Line, its Members, or gunners in general. They are so entwined in this thread though, that it would be difficult, if not impossible to do.
What to do? I should close this, but Snoopy has a real problem, and a few here actually took the high road.
Considering that, this stays open.... for now. Whether or not it stays open is entirely up to you.
While I agree that it is the best option to take 'the high road' as you say, god its good for the heart just to 'think' about getting them back in some fashion. 
But seriously, like I said before, some well placed flood lights and a barking dog can be a great deterent. I have both, and the local kids stay well away from my property, but the neighbors get vandalized in small ways all the time.
You obviously don't want them to get bitten, but just knowing a dog is out there that might bite them if they get too close can keep them away. And little thieving punks like the cover of darkness. You light your yard up good and bright with motion lights, and the rats will scurry for cover.
As for dumping your trash on their lawn, it was a fun suggestion, and while it would feel soooo good to do, I wouldn't really advise it.
And Capt. Charlie, FWIW, members of this board can applaude at the mere thought of a homeowner chasing down heavily armed badguys, off his property, firing rounds through a residential neighborhood, during a high speed car chase, and its totally okay.....but mention doing a few well deserved dirty tricks to a few future inmates that are vandalizing your stuff, and we are taking the 'low road'? C'mon man.....
DeriusT
But seriously, like I said before, some well placed flood lights and a barking dog can be a great deterent. I have both, and the local kids stay well away from my property, but the neighbors get vandalized in small ways all the time.
You obviously don't want them to get bitten, but just knowing a dog is out there that might bite them if they get too close can keep them away. And little thieving punks like the cover of darkness. You light your yard up good and bright with motion lights, and the rats will scurry for cover.
As for dumping your trash on their lawn, it was a fun suggestion, and while it would feel soooo good to do, I wouldn't really advise it.
And Capt. Charlie, FWIW, members of this board can applaude at the mere thought of a homeowner chasing down heavily armed badguys, off his property, firing rounds through a residential neighborhood, during a high speed car chase, and its totally okay.....but mention doing a few well deserved dirty tricks to a few future inmates that are vandalizing your stuff, and we are taking the 'low road'? C'mon man.....
DeriusT
Best advice yet about breaking the law.
That is assault and will get you thrown in jail. Period.
This isn't about doing what "feels good"...this about deliberately, constructively, and logically thinking out the best course of action for our brother who has a problem and has asked for our wisdom and advice...not the rantings of repressed sociopaths.
So IMO:
As hard as it sounds, seriously think about moving...and do it soon before your property value really starts to drop. Your nieghborhood sounds like it is beginning down the slippery slope into decline.
For now, protect yourself with video cameras, motion lights, ...and the long arm of the law. Johnny Law loves a paper trail.
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A game camera seems like a great idea. Pictures stored digitally, MADE to be there when you are not, takes inclimate weather, motion activated. What you do with the pictures is up to you. For me, I would walk next door and threaten police action on her youngsters while portraying confidence that my "security camera" photos will bring the law down upon her. If she's not at the very least appologetic, maybe the police would take a look and take some action. And if nothing else, like others suggest take them to a newspaper or TV station.
don't forget to secure your camera or make sure it's well hidden...
Tom
don't forget to secure your camera or make sure it's well hidden...
Tom
Hallucinator
New member
Big dog trained not to take food from strangers. WOOF CHOMP
Spade Cooley
Moderator
When you are losing the battle, sometimes you have to fight dirty!
I went through something like this years ago when I lived in town. The police were helpful, but the kids knew how to avoid getting caught, and they definitely knew that I couldn't touch them.
I went to City Hall, got a "boys will be boys" speach. One of the kids involved is now doing life for murder, another is doing a five year stretch for robbery. They were a couple of real winners, and they put me through hell.
Here's what I learned; you can't control their behavior, only the way that you respond to it. Your angry reactions will encourage more bad behavior, they enjoy making you crazy.
If you have to stay in that house, and given the rental history I'd think about it, then try to lay low and wait them out. Don't let them inside your head, it's not worth it.
I went to City Hall, got a "boys will be boys" speach. One of the kids involved is now doing life for murder, another is doing a five year stretch for robbery. They were a couple of real winners, and they put me through hell.
Here's what I learned; you can't control their behavior, only the way that you respond to it. Your angry reactions will encourage more bad behavior, they enjoy making you crazy.
If you have to stay in that house, and given the rental history I'd think about it, then try to lay low and wait them out. Don't let them inside your head, it's not worth it.
I borrowed a DVR surveillance recorder from work and hooked it up to an IR capable camera outside. I cought a couple of little bastages from down the street vandalizing my property and stealing a relatively large statue from my garden. The local cops paid them a visit, retrieved my property and notified social services who arrested the MOTHER for neglect of dependents. There were other factors that led to her arrest, but the nail in the coffin, so to speak, was me notifying the local PD and them actually paying her a visit. Never underestimate the power of videotape evidence.
catching the rat part 2, unbelievable
UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE. after getting a window smashed out of my truck sat night, then my truck being looted thru sunday night, it gets even worse.
I took today off from work so i could sit up last night and keep a lookout, which i did, after sleeping a few hours this morning, i drove up to Houston(an hour) to look into some surviellance sysyems.
as soon as i get back home my neighbor tells me that someone had been trying to break into my garage! instead of coming out with his gun, which he has always said he has and would use, he comes out and yells "what the hell are you doing" and the guy looks at him, starts to walk off and after a few feet starts running. of course the cops were unable to locate this bastard.
neighbor said it was a hispanic kid looked like 15-17 years old, was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up in 95 degree weather, said if he sees him again, he would be able to identify him.
while i am very grateful for them looking out and calling the cops, i wish he had had the gumption to do something more.
thats 3 times in 4 days that i have been victimized. im going to get a camera system, looks like i might have to call Brinks too.
BROAD DAYLIGHT, how brazen can you get? i was wrong in my assumption that it was the kids next door, they always have a pack of kids over there, they see the motorcycle and nice mustang in my garage. I told that boy next door that if he knows or hears something and helped me out that i would make it worth his effort $$$$$.
When i got back from Houston, i was drop dead tired, now my heart is about to jump out of my chest. I wont be sleeping much tonight, the truck is one thing, my house is something else. had he gotten into the garage its just 1 more door to get in the house.
the police told me that they will be on "heavy patrol" in the area tonight, thats nice, but not very comforting. my nerves are just about shot already.
UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE. after getting a window smashed out of my truck sat night, then my truck being looted thru sunday night, it gets even worse.
I took today off from work so i could sit up last night and keep a lookout, which i did, after sleeping a few hours this morning, i drove up to Houston(an hour) to look into some surviellance sysyems.
as soon as i get back home my neighbor tells me that someone had been trying to break into my garage! instead of coming out with his gun, which he has always said he has and would use, he comes out and yells "what the hell are you doing" and the guy looks at him, starts to walk off and after a few feet starts running. of course the cops were unable to locate this bastard.
neighbor said it was a hispanic kid looked like 15-17 years old, was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up in 95 degree weather, said if he sees him again, he would be able to identify him.
while i am very grateful for them looking out and calling the cops, i wish he had had the gumption to do something more.
thats 3 times in 4 days that i have been victimized. im going to get a camera system, looks like i might have to call Brinks too.
BROAD DAYLIGHT, how brazen can you get? i was wrong in my assumption that it was the kids next door, they always have a pack of kids over there, they see the motorcycle and nice mustang in my garage. I told that boy next door that if he knows or hears something and helped me out that i would make it worth his effort $$$$$.
When i got back from Houston, i was drop dead tired, now my heart is about to jump out of my chest. I wont be sleeping much tonight, the truck is one thing, my house is something else. had he gotten into the garage its just 1 more door to get in the house.
the police told me that they will be on "heavy patrol" in the area tonight, thats nice, but not very comforting. my nerves are just about shot already.
i am not very handy when it comes to installing that sort of thing,running the wiring etc.... , i have a guy whos sposed to be calling with an estimate but i am beginning to wonder if he really wants my business.
i saw some wireless type systems, but i hear they dont work that well, get alot of interference,etc...
i want to ask all of you, if you had been my neighbor and seen someone trying to break into my garage, what would you have done??
i thanked the neighbor more than once for looking out and for calling the cops, some people wouldnt have even done that, but if hes going to run out there and yell at the scumbag, hes just going to run off as he did.
if your not going to take action to stop/subdue the perp, then it would have been better to call the cops and atleast then maybe they could have chased him down. he wasnt going to get that garage door open, i keep it jammed from the inside.
i saw some wireless type systems, but i hear they dont work that well, get alot of interference,etc...
i want to ask all of you, if you had been my neighbor and seen someone trying to break into my garage, what would you have done??
i thanked the neighbor more than once for looking out and for calling the cops, some people wouldnt have even done that, but if hes going to run out there and yell at the scumbag, hes just going to run off as he did.
if your not going to take action to stop/subdue the perp, then it would have been better to call the cops and atleast then maybe they could have chased him down. he wasnt going to get that garage door open, i keep it jammed from the inside.
Capt. Charlie
Moderator Emeritus
Threads merged. No need for two threads on the same subject.
Shoot them with 12G beanbag rounds...That'll learn em'.
Or shoot them with a paintball gun loaded with those pepper ball rounds...
My house has been broken into three times so I know how it feels.
I only wished I had been waiting with a Mossberg 590...
Try the camaras idea so you can have some evidence.
If it were me I'd use scare tactics.You know...sittin' in a lawn chair in your yard with AR-15 all day,screaming at the moon at night,putting a dead cat in their mailbox,etc...
Like you said the cops won't do nothing.
Or shoot them with a paintball gun loaded with those pepper ball rounds...
My house has been broken into three times so I know how it feels.
I only wished I had been waiting with a Mossberg 590...
Try the camaras idea so you can have some evidence.
If it were me I'd use scare tactics.You know...sittin' in a lawn chair in your yard with AR-15 all day,screaming at the moon at night,putting a dead cat in their mailbox,etc...
Like you said the cops won't do nothing.