Punk Kids

[slapdappy]

positive vs negative reinforcement

How old are they. How many? I suspect you are not the only person to whom they show no regard.

I assume they are cutting through because it is a more direct path for them. Now it is evolving into a situation with fragile adolescent egos at play. For a surly adolescent bad attention is better than no attention

Clearly they are trespassing. They are destroying private property. Doesn't Florida have the most homeowner empowering protection laws? Get video of them doing this. A picture truly is worth 1000 words. It is irrefutable.

File criminal charges. Sue in small claims for damage they inflict. You yourself can press charges even thought the police may try to dissuade you so they needn't be bothered. This may sound like an overreaction but until they and their parents suffer some substantial inconvenience they won't care. Make it more convenient and pleasant for them to avoid you and your property than cutting through it. Leverage their passive laziness and sloth against them.

It is truly annoying that you are forced to divert your time and energy towards this problem, but sometimes we are put in these positions because of another person's douchery. We are forced to resolve dilemmas that aren't of our making.

You are entitled to protect and defend your person and property. Needn't shoot them, but a bat seems appropriate. Some boards with nails scattered about.

It sounds totally gay (not the kind of gay I endorse and support and am ok with in all of its forms, but gay in the colloquial sense) but telling them simply that it is not nice, it is intrusive, it upsets you, that they are being rude and that they have no right to be destructive may help in the long term. Dealing with a group is different than speaking to an individual. look a specific individual in the eyes... "Hey, be a man and look me in the eyes when I am speaking to you. This is the way spoiled little children behave." The bravado disappears and the meek surfaces. I doubt this will work but think it bears mentioning.

They will stop for one of 2 reasons.
1) they do it voluntarily, because they are reasonable, or
2) they capitulate because the consequences are so burdensome and annoying with all of the shit coming their way that they realize it isn't worth it any more.

 

[awthorn]

[MENTION=94063]slapdappy[/MENTION] I am have gone up with the entintion of trying to be a nice as possible and lend more of a friend / mentor kind of feeling but they just pop off with so much attitude. Then once that happens with worn patience my tone usually isn't the nicest. "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"

 

[MtnT4R]

Have you considered putting up a simple wire fence with T posts and a couple H braces? It would set you back around a hundred bucks and a little DIY on a Saturday. You can get a roll of smooth wire for a 3 or 4 strand fence, and if they keep hopping over it or sneaking through you can top it with a strand of barbed wire or even a hot wire if they dont get the picture. Its your property, you have a right to deny them access, and I dont see how an LEO would find you in the wrong if some kid got zapped a little bit trying to trespass on your land...

 

[ddnww]

How bout killing two birds with one stone

talk to them again, befriend them, see what their interests are.
They may like something your into. Then they will think you're pretty cool.
Then ask them in a cool way if they can walk around your yard.
And they will then have some respect for you and do it out of respect.
Tell them to drop by if you're outside and you guys can discuss said interest.

by doing this, you solve your problem and be somewhat of a big brother figure to
them and maybe help them become better citizens.

 

[snivilous]

Okay, I'm not the most educated on laws but it seems like all of you are getting butt hurt over doing something physical because these morons are trespassing. There are laws saying you can't defend your property? I'm not saying shoot them or anything, but take the bear trap thing for instance--how can you get in trouble for putting bear traps on your property and having someone you don't know trespass and get hurt?! Or the cleaning the gun thing, people don't like that? If it was me I would run after them with a baseball bat and say I feared for my life, or run out and fire a warning shot into the ground.

The only time I've lived in the city is from college, so I'm not sure how people otherwise handle their land or if it's looked down upon, but when people come down our driveway who we don't know or come through the woods we don't sit there and call the cops and hope they'll show up fast enough (or do something useful), we go out locked and loaded (not blatantly showing the guns but prepared for the worst). Call me ignorant or whatever, but someone explain why you guys don't seem to value or want to defend your land. Anyone who passes that no trespassing sign has ignored that it is my property and I will take appropriate action to protect my family and assets, I wouldn't treat this any differently. Maybe tone it down if they are stupid teenagers, but a response would be in order regardless.

And I agree with getting a dog, but that is a pesudo-passive response (as is building a fence) and not directly dealing with the issue when it happens next; not to mention you can't just go out and buy a dog, that takes time and training/bonding.

 

[nevada]

Okay, I'm not the most educated on laws but it seems like all of you are getting butt hurt over doing something physical because these morons are trespassing. There are laws saying you can't defend your property? I'm not saying shoot them or anything, but take the bear trap thing for instance--how can you get in trouble for putting bear traps on your property and having someone you don't know trespass and get hurt?! Or the cleaning the gun thing, people don't like that? If it was me I would run after them with a baseball bat and say I feared for my life, or run out and fire a warning shot into the ground.

The only time I've lived in the city is from college, so I'm not sure how people otherwise handle their land or if it's looked down upon, but when people come down our driveway who we don't know or come through the woods we don't sit there and call the cops and hope they'll show up fast enough (or do something useful), we go out locked and loaded (not blatantly showing the guns but prepared for the worst). Call me ignorant or whatever, but someone explain why you guys don't seem to value or want to defend your land.

And I agree with getting a dog, but that is a pesudo-passive response (as is building a fence) and not directly dealing with the issue when it happens next; not to mention you can't just go out and buy a dog, that takes time and training/bonding.

I wholly agree with all of this. well, except the warning shot, ammo is expensive...

the problem with this is they will then call the cops and the OP will be on the defense.

I agree with traps or such, on his property, but in this SUE happy world we live in, he will lose.

 

[slapdappy]

[MENTION=94063]slapdappy[/MENTION] I am have gone up with the entintion of trying to be a nice as possible and lend more of a friend / mentor kind of feeling but they just pop off with so much attitude. Then once that happens with worn patience my tone usually isn't the nicest. "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"

I hear you. They're jerky little snots who think they're soo cool and hardcore and all you give a damn about is getting them the eff away from you and your property. You're not looking to become a mentor and they don't want one. Eff them. Let them reap what they sow. They want to act all tough and big, go ahead and see how tough they really are. I am serious.
They are being antagonistic. Antagonism is a behavior designed to get a reaction. Go ahead and give them the reaction they so fervently desire.
You have my full moral support.
Any bros you can call on to stand firm with you?
You appealed to their higher selves and it begot nothing. They had many opportunities to do the right thing. They continue to trespass and destroy your property. You have every moral and ethical and legal right to literally beat them back, as in halting their further encroachment. Pick whichever one is actually doing the destroying and eff him up enough to neutralize him as a threat. Whack, whack. body, legs, arms, stomach. Then call the cops and have them all arrested.
People say 'violence is never the solution' or 'violence never solved anything.'
Bullshit. Sometimes it's the ONLY solution.
Not being sarcastic. Not being dismissive. Being absolutely serious.

I wouldn't put up a fence or get a dog or alter my property or life in any way. You're entitled to live your life free of such encroachment. Eff them, they're the ones out of line, their behavior needs changing, not yours.

 

[02SE]

I had a couple of juvenile delinquents and their Dad, move into a neighbor's illegal apartment years ago.

When things started disappearing around the neighborhood, and I came home one day to find the kiddies in my backyard, I asked if I could help them. I was met with a string of profanity and displays that I was number one, from the little angels.

I went over and talked to their Dad, and asked if he could explain private property, and respecting such to them. It was pretty obvious the apples didn't fall far from the tree, as the Dad was equally worthless as well.

One call to County Zoning Enforcement, shut down the illegal apartment. The dirtbag and his spawn had to move away.

I figure the kids and Dad are probably in prison, today.

 

[2014 Warthog]

Uh, given that they could sue in most places for /accidentally/ hurting themselves on your property. It's almost a guarantee that laying a "Man Trap" will land the property owner in jail, as much as the punks deserve it!

 

[RedSled]

O.K. here it is, Very simple. Go out and slap one of them down in the dirt, Then wait for cops to get there. Very soon after that you won't have to worry about them any more. It's payday for them.

 

[MyHigh]

Last thing I would do is to show them that my house has guns in it. Even if they are locked up in a safe you are still inviting them to break into your house while your gone.

Maybe next time they are caught crossing your yard ask one of them if they'd like to make some money, maybe have one cut the grass or some other type of yard work. If they laugh and refuse, just let them know the offer stands and you really could use their help. Maybe with some effort, eventually they'd respect you more then their parents and see you as an adult to look up to rather then someone they know a negative reaction is had by them being hooligans. Kill them with kindness, it's been my experience kids now days just expect adults to always be angry with them and they really have no clue how to act when confronted in a friendly manner.

Or you can always snipe them with a paintball gun! :50cal: :jk:

 

[iBison]

get the motion activated sprinkler and inject red dye into it.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iGh5aE5VGoI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[BrianSD_42]

I think your only real choice is to build a fence.

If you confront them directly or do anything agressive like build motion activated sprinklers (lol) then you will possibly (maybe likely) become a target for car egging or toilet paper or other actions which will be difficult to prove and will just make you even more angry.

 

[541joseph]

Paintball guns. They hurt and technically with no trespassing signs you can use all force needed. But paintball guns are decently cheep and even if you just shoot a tree or something near them they will start running. I've done it to jws that wouldn't get off my lawn. Granted i was only like 15 I really couldn't get trouble

 

[telum01]

If they are under 18 years old, their parents can be held legally liable for their actions. Document the trespasses and damages, photograph them for identification, and then sue their parents in small claims court (this will force the parents to be more involved). If anything, you might get compensated financially for the damages and possibly court fees, and push for the judge to legally bar them from entering your property. If that can happen, the next trespass will result in criminal charges against them.

 

[thegray1]

Okay, I'm not the most educated on laws but it seems like all of you are getting butt hurt over doing something physical because these morons are trespassing. There are laws saying you can't defend your property? I'm not saying shoot them or anything, but take the bear trap thing for instance--how can you get in trouble for putting bear traps on your property and having someone you don't know trespass and get hurt?! Or the cleaning the gun thing, people don't like that? If it was me I would run after them with a baseball bat and say I feared for my life, or run out and fire a warning shot into the ground.

I don't think anyone here doesn't want to defend their property. I see you are in Colorado. How about reading this article.
Booby Trap Kills Burglar - Crime Victim Jailed - Orlando Sentinel
Was this over the top? Yes. Should he have been charged? Probably. Would I want to do the same thing? Oh yeah.

I know the OP isn't going to put up bear traps. But if he did, and a kid stepped in one and got hurt, there would be an investigation. Then the cops might find this very thread. Then they would see that he put the bear traps down for the sole purpose of trying to keep these kids off his property. Guarantee he would be arrested. Convicted? Maybe not, but now you have a criminal record and everyone knows it.

PS - firing a warning shot in Florida WILL get you arrested, and possibly put in prison, unless you can prove that your truly feared for your life.

A little research never hurt anyone.

 

[thegray1]

Paintball guns. They hurt and technically with no trespassing signs you can use all force needed. But paintball guns are decently cheep and even if you just shoot a tree or something near them they will start running. I've done it to jws that wouldn't get off my lawn. Granted i was only like 15 I really couldn't get trouble

I like this. Then tell the cops the kids were the ones shooting the guns. Hide yours, no way to prove it was you.

 

[nevada]

shoot the first one, and leave the body laying there.
pretty sure the rest would choose to go around after that....

 

[VoodooTitan]

plant a crap ton of poison ivy plants. patiently wait...

 

[piccrazy30]

I would say get a camera and have everything on record. So when the time comes to build a fence and they decide to spray paint it because you cut them off, you have multiple files of what these kids did. Check out the video. I know you wouldn't use it for the same thing but they are still pretty cool. You could scare the sh!t out them using the speaker like in the video ound:

Man Says He Watched His Home As It Was Being Burglarized | Video - ABC News

https://www.dropcam.com

BTW, can we get a pic of said yard?