Problems with Trespassers

[plowindeeper]

Sounds like your friend was a problem.. So much so that the 'new man' felt the need to arm himself.

And he was right...

No he was not a problem he was upset. His wife left him after his second tour in Afghanistan with the Marines. He had post traumatic stress disorder. He let his emotions get in the way off common sense.

This is what a lot of people do when land disputes and other personal matters are involved. Talking about ( or doing it) wooping butt and shooting people will not fix anything. Most just talk anyway, if they were in the same situation it'd be different. I hope no one really wants to pull a gun and start shooting. Staying calm and being rational is the only way to fix a problem. By all means protect yourself if it cannot be avoided, but not putting yourself in the position to be provoked to get into it with them is easiest.
Me and one of my neighbors went all the way to court with our property line and we are still on speaking terms. We would have killed each other if I had not been able to defuse him (by not getting mad at him and talking sense to him). He always brought his four employees with him when he came and was usually half drunk and mad. I would not fall into his trap. I almost did several times though. I'd just offer him a beer and his attitude would change after a little bit of chatter. I had two out of four property owners one side disagreeing with me on our line. I had to force one part of the fence up, the other I took to court and won.

Don't let your emotions get in the way is the point I'm trying to make.
This was the best advice my lawyer gave me.

 

[Glocker]

2.5 Million times a year ,crime is stopped or avoided by law abiding citizens with a firearm . Often in the news we see on the news how people are tragically assaulted or worse by someone who doesn't seem to care about a restraining order or any other piece of paper they had in their pocket. I would be carrying anytime I'm on the property.

I posted earlier with my suggestions and agree with the above with a real caution regarding the use of lethal force. Lethal force is a very last resort only. Use of deadly force is not intuitive when the adrenalin is pumping and the brain is in overload. Even in the case where one is actually being shot at. I speak from both my experiences (20 years military, 7 years CI agent, 10 years security consultant, 10 years security clearance adjudicator) and that of others through extensive interviews and research. If you have not had extensive training and experience (like having actually been shot at) you are more likely than not to do something stupid. That is what the research showed. At one point I co-authored a "Use of Deadly Force" program of instruction for US Marshalls assigned to a government agency and as part of the research we found numerous cases where people shot without justification, started pulling the trigger before having cleared their pocket, missed, shot themselves, didn't know how many shots they fired, etc. One case involved a police officer and suspect in an alley who fired a total of 20 shots at a range of 10 feet and missed each other. The first time you are shot at, a normal reaction is disbelief - more of a "What the h*** was that!". Then there is a few seconds lag and the adrenalin starts and the body takes over and reacts (Oh s***) before the brain is in gear. In this state of panic, anything can and does happen. This happens even to police officers who have had training. Most LEO never fire their weapon at someone during their entire career. Really really think about it first before you carry a firearm. Well over half of the people we interviewed indicated that,in retrospect, they probably could have found a better way to resolve the situation and had some sort of remorse or continuing regret. Go to the police station and demand to file a signed affidavit (Complaint) and request the protection order. This will force them to have it reviewed by the prosecutor for possible action. Remember the police do not, for the most part, prevent crimes. Their usual methodology is catch and incarcerate those who have already committed a crime. You must be proactive and demand to file the sworn complaint. It is your choice of course, but again, really really think about the scenario that would require someone to die for resolution. Remember, once the gun is in your hand it will be presumed that you intend to use it...

 

[Timm250]

After reading all of the post there are some things that need to be cleared up.

1. All of the people are not men. There are both men & women involved. One of the younger men (20-21) & his MOTHER are the ringleaders of the group. The approximately 50 year old mother stirs the pot & the rest follow.

2. These people range in age from 17 to the mid 60's. I don't know a couple of people, in fact I had never seen them before this started.

3. There have been a lot of comments that I should sell out & move. This is not an option. I have lived here for all of my life. My family has owned the farmland where I am for about 100 years. So moving is out.

 

[daveshoot]

Well, that's understandable.

You should have a few contacts in the area, then. Did you get back with the attorneys?

 

[riptides]

After reading all of the post there are some things that need to be cleared up.

......

3. There have been a lot of comments that I should sell out & move. This is not an option. I have lived here for all of my life. My family has owned the farmland where I am for about 100 years. So moving is out.

Yeah, not an option. It is your property. YOU have the right to enjoy it and use it accordingly.

 

[DB Pilot]

Timm250,

Really glad you put this thread up. I have the same problem. Had to hire a surveyor so that the property line was obvious the neighbors went ballistic with a 1.5 year horn honking trash dumping campaign in front of my house. Even found out where my daughter worked and put her in tears with comments about how your dad better think twice about going on that property. Oh yes and the shooting in my direction and over my head during deer season. Have had police and conservation officers up with mixed results. And gone to court.

I have decided that the problem is that some individuals should be considered SUB-HUMAN. They don't care about reality, have no consciences, or empathy for others. They want what they want and will do anything to get it.
I like you will not sell out as some family members have suggested. We are in a quiet stage right now but, I know that things could get out of hand at some point in the future. It has been 12 years now and I highly recommend you never do any retaliation. It is what they really want. The obnoxious bully punches the quiet kid, the quiet kid who has never bothered anyone strikes back and the cowardly teacher only sees the quiet kid and punishes him. The authorities just don't care.
Well off to work, best of luck and hope they get bored and move on themselves.

 

[radioman]

Well -- after looking at the survey map -- can be pretty tricky. Your surveyor is now your best friend. Only the surveyor can help you in court to testify the boundary lines. This will get messy if the nieghbors get thier own surveyor and it shows a variance of lines, but it should be pretty close though.
The issue is The "trespasser" is most likely on your lot and may be used to the old ways of being on your lot before it was sold so that is probably why it was sold as the owner may not want to deal with it anymore. If that is the case ( just a theory) then only time and perseverance will prevail. Question is how far are you willing to take it? Will this take a ugly turn after you try to resolve things following some of the harsh advice given by others? Only you know what is best and fits you the best.
You should be able to enjoy your tractor seat time in peace, but unfortunately, the lot you bought came with a price. I wouldnt dispair just yet, I'd follow up with the LEO's and see whats the progress is and go from there.

 

[Timm250]

Timm250,

Really glad you put this thread up. I have the same problem. Had to hire a surveyor so that the property line was obvious the neighbors went ballistic with a 1.5 year horn honking trash dumping campaign in front of my house. Even found out where my daughter worked and put her in tears with comments about how your dad better think twice about going on that property. Oh yes and the shooting in my direction and over my head during deer season. Have had police and conservation officers up with mixed results. And gone to court.

I have decided that the problem is that some individuals should be considered SUB-HUMAN. They don't care about reality, have no consciences, or empathy for others. They want what they want and will do anything to get it.
I like you will not sell out as some family members have suggested. We are in a quiet stage right now but, I know that things could get out of hand at some point in the future. It has been 12 years now and I highly recommend you never do any retaliation. It is what they really want. The obnoxious bully punches the quiet kid, the quiet kid who has never bothered anyone strikes back and the cowardly teacher only sees the quiet kid and punishes him. The authorities just don't care.
Well off to work, best of luck and hope they get bored and move on themselves.

Looking for a surveyor to mark my line now. Once I get that done I will put up a barbed wire fence.

 

[Timm250]

Timm250,

Really glad you put this thread up. I have the same problem. Had to hire a surveyor so that the property line was obvious the neighbors went ballistic with a 1.5 year horn honking trash dumping campaign in front of my house. Even found out where my daughter worked and put her in tears with comments about how your dad better think twice about going on that property. Oh yes and the shooting in my direction and over my head during deer season. Have had police and conservation officers up with mixed results. And gone to court.

I have decided that the problem is that some individuals should be considered SUB-HUMAN. They don't care about reality, have no consciences, or empathy for others. They want what they want and will do anything to get it.
I like you will not sell out as some family members have suggested. We are in a quiet stage right now but, I know that things could get out of hand at some point in the future. It has been 12 years now and I highly recommend you never do any retaliation. It is what they really want. The obnoxious bully punches the quiet kid, the quiet kid who has never bothered anyone strikes back and the cowardly teacher only sees the quiet kid and punishes him. The authorities just don't care.
Well off to work, best of luck and hope they get bored and move on themselves.

Looking for a surveyor to mark my line now. Once I get that done I will put up a barbed wire fence. There will be about 2700 feet of fence.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Looking for a surveyor to mark my line now. Once I get that done I will put up a barbed wire fence. There will be about 2700 feet of fence.

Make sure you flag that wire often and good luck dealing with these idiots.