edwardware
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Robert Frost was criticizing the use of fences and the idea that they make good neighbors, not advocating for them.
Neighbors that are criminally trespassing
- Thread starter hi-impact
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Robert Frost was criticizing the use of fences and the idea that they make good neighbors, not advocating for them.
Bad Ninja
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Hanzo581
Member
I certainly did not mean to portray leniency with trespassers, it's his land, if he doesn't want them on it that is his right. My point was simply someone trespassing does not automatically graduate to violent criminal. If he asked them not to trespass and they ignore him and he doesn't want to get the law involved....well, that's on him.
grampajack
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Is this guy mentally capable of managing his own affairs? Do you suspect that the "bad guys" are intimidating him in some way, preventing him from involving law enforcement? Those are the only two circumstances where I would feel at all comfortable getting involved in his affairs.
You can call the police as a concerned citizen if you see them trespassing on your neighbor's land, and you know for a fact they don't have permission to be there. In fact, it would be a good thing if there were police reports establishing the trespassing had occurred in case anything happened, like property came up missing or he was harmed in any way. Cops like it when you let them know what's going on, even if they can't write any tickets on the spot. It gives them something to put in a report, that way they have a heads up on the situation if they ever get called out for anything more serious. Just be sure to use your department's non emergency line. It's also a chance for you to get to know the local officers, which is always a good thing.
Also, if it ever develops into anything more serious, your police reports might go a long ways to convincing a judge to issue a restraining order. Just in general, there will be more to prosecute if there's an established history of documented property crimes leading up to anything serious. It might even give the local officers probable cause if something comes up missing, or at least motivate them to pursue it more aggressively. I believe it would also be legal for you to video them trespassing, as long as it doesn't lead to you trespassing in the process. If you can clearly see the activity from your own property, I'm pretty sure it's legal for you to film it and have it admissible as evidence.
Another thing you can do is establish a neighborhood watch. If anyone sees any trespassing or suspicious activity on anyone else's property, then they just call the police and file a report.
But before you get carried away, what exactly are these guys doing that makes them "bad guys?" It sounds like they're just taking a short cut. I could see if they were loitering on your property drinking beer and vandalizing stuff, but what is so threatening about them simply cutting across your yard? Are they intoxicated? Have they shown any tendency to be violent? Do you know for a fact that they've stolen anything from you? I understand not wanting people in your yard, but it seems they've respected your wishes.
How exactly do you know that your neighbor told them off? You can't be certain that what he tells you is the same thing he told them. For all you know they have some kind of agreement and he just tells you what you want to hear to get you off his case. Maybe he doesn't mind them cutting across his yard. Depending on the circumstances, I wouldn't. Before you insert yourself into this situation I would make certain there's even a situation in the first place. I think it would be a lot like getting involved in a domestic dispute. You think you're rushing to someone's aid, only to find yourself the sworn enemy of both parties. This could very well end with your neighbor pissed off that you got into his business, and it might end up with them allied against you. Honestly, if he's all there mentally I would probably just stay out of it.
ETA: If you really feel responsible for this guy, just put up a surveillance camera. That way if anything does happen you will have it on video, and he will be thankful for it. Best of all, it doesn't require you getting involved until something actually happens. That way you don't become "that guy" in your neighborhood.
You can call the police as a concerned citizen if you see them trespassing on your neighbor's land, and you know for a fact they don't have permission to be there. In fact, it would be a good thing if there were police reports establishing the trespassing had occurred in case anything happened, like property came up missing or he was harmed in any way. Cops like it when you let them know what's going on, even if they can't write any tickets on the spot. It gives them something to put in a report, that way they have a heads up on the situation if they ever get called out for anything more serious. Just be sure to use your department's non emergency line. It's also a chance for you to get to know the local officers, which is always a good thing.
Also, if it ever develops into anything more serious, your police reports might go a long ways to convincing a judge to issue a restraining order. Just in general, there will be more to prosecute if there's an established history of documented property crimes leading up to anything serious. It might even give the local officers probable cause if something comes up missing, or at least motivate them to pursue it more aggressively. I believe it would also be legal for you to video them trespassing, as long as it doesn't lead to you trespassing in the process. If you can clearly see the activity from your own property, I'm pretty sure it's legal for you to film it and have it admissible as evidence.
Another thing you can do is establish a neighborhood watch. If anyone sees any trespassing or suspicious activity on anyone else's property, then they just call the police and file a report.
But before you get carried away, what exactly are these guys doing that makes them "bad guys?" It sounds like they're just taking a short cut. I could see if they were loitering on your property drinking beer and vandalizing stuff, but what is so threatening about them simply cutting across your yard? Are they intoxicated? Have they shown any tendency to be violent? Do you know for a fact that they've stolen anything from you? I understand not wanting people in your yard, but it seems they've respected your wishes.
How exactly do you know that your neighbor told them off? You can't be certain that what he tells you is the same thing he told them. For all you know they have some kind of agreement and he just tells you what you want to hear to get you off his case. Maybe he doesn't mind them cutting across his yard. Depending on the circumstances, I wouldn't. Before you insert yourself into this situation I would make certain there's even a situation in the first place. I think it would be a lot like getting involved in a domestic dispute. You think you're rushing to someone's aid, only to find yourself the sworn enemy of both parties. This could very well end with your neighbor pissed off that you got into his business, and it might end up with them allied against you. Honestly, if he's all there mentally I would probably just stay out of it.
ETA: If you really feel responsible for this guy, just put up a surveillance camera. That way if anything does happen you will have it on video, and he will be thankful for it. Best of all, it doesn't require you getting involved until something actually happens. That way you don't become "that guy" in your neighborhood.
Last edited:
.308 Norma
Member
Ha! I knew that AR I bought before the election would turn out to be good for something.
bobinoregon
Member
"Bad guys" and "criminals" seems like a stretch to me for cutting across someone's property. I'd try communication first before I went to cops and legal stuff.
<*(((><
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@hi-impact - I for one appreciate your concern for your neighbor, especially since he is elderly, good on you to be worried for him. I hope to have neighbors who have a good balance of staying out of others business as well as a concern for others, which it appears to me that you have. I don't feel you need another hobby, and I for one hope that nothing comes to your neighbor. You've already said that things have come up missing from his yard and that he has already told them once to not trespass and yet they continue. I would assume the same as you that these men's motives or character is not pure as the wind driven snow. I would if I were you continue to talk with your neighbor and give him options of a trail camera and contacting the authorities. Once something like their actions of trespass get established for long periods of time, what is next? Will they start driving through his property, hunting, camping? People with a lack of respect of others things need to be put in their place, its obvious their parents were cut from the same cloth and failed their highest calling of raising respectful and honest kids. It would be different if it were youth but grown adults that are brazen enough to shrug off a landowners wish they not trespass is reason enough for concern to me.
@claiborne I hope when I'm 80 years old I hope I have a neighbor like hi-impact that doesn't give up on an old man that may not be thinking like its 2017 and people have to earn trust unlike back in the 50's where one could trust more people freely.
@claiborne I hope when I'm 80 years old I hope I have a neighbor like hi-impact that doesn't give up on an old man that may not be thinking like its 2017 and people have to earn trust unlike back in the 50's where one could trust more people freely.
Sunray
Member
Bottom line is that what the neighbour does or does not do is not your business.
"...In my opinion..." Exactly. You've decided that whoever these guys are they are "bad guys" with no evidence other than them crossing your lawn.
"...regardless of the definition of criminal trespass in my jurisdiction..." That alone says you're disregarding what the law actually says and possibly don't know what the law says. No leniency is involved. You don't get to decide what is and is not legal.
"...In my opinion..." Exactly. You've decided that whoever these guys are they are "bad guys" with no evidence other than them crossing your lawn.
"...regardless of the definition of criminal trespass in my jurisdiction..." That alone says you're disregarding what the law actually says and possibly don't know what the law says. No leniency is involved. You don't get to decide what is and is not legal.
Hi-Impact, I'm sympathetic to your situation and understand what you're trying to convey. What I would like to know is what did you do to stop the intruders from accessing your property illegally? I know that you've said you're not going to respond to this thread any longer so please consider sending me a personal message. Thanks!
Hanzo581
Member
I don't understand why he abandoned the thread, I guess he expected certain responses to rationalize his reaction and when he didn't get that he bolted. Strange.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Wow, you really don't need to be worrying about your neighbor's trespass issues. If he is willing to let it happen, that is his business.
herrwalther
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Some neighbors moved into the run down house across the street from me. Lots of cars going in and out at all hours. 5 brand new out buildings, while the house is a mess. And lots of bags being moved around. Looks and smells like a drug house to me. I am a county law enforcement employee and I have let a couple municipal PDs who patrol the road know about my suspicions. They up their patrols in the area to catch people to and from the house. My other neighbors and I have put posted No Trespassing signs on our property lines. And so far they haven't wandered onto our lots after the signs have gone up, they were before.
Take all the legal measures necessary. Form a strength in numbers idea to encourage your elderly neighbor to be proactive. Offer to help put a fence, signs, or other barriers. Shooting down trespassers, even as bad as you imply, should always be a last resort.
Take all the legal measures necessary. Form a strength in numbers idea to encourage your elderly neighbor to be proactive. Offer to help put a fence, signs, or other barriers. Shooting down trespassers, even as bad as you imply, should always be a last resort.
Seeing how this has absolutely nothing to do with the mission or purpose of THR we are done here.
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