Why people tresspass

[Tig]

After a good start to the year I had my usually trying August long weekend.
Here are the reasons people trespass at my place.
Keep in mind that my yard is hedged and somewhat secluded. People have to walk by my truck, house garage. They also usually wait for a vehicle to leave before they try their luck. This year all trespassers came for the same weekend rental campsite in the adjacent trailer park. That park has water on two sides. I am on the third side, also water.

1) "I want to play with my remote control boat." uh, nice boat, this is private property the beach is over there.
2) "We're just fishing." (boat guy and another guy two hours after the first encounter) Private property, please leave.
3) "We're going to have a look at something." Private property.
4) "I just want to look around." This guy showed up after he watched my wife's car leave. I had an extended talk with that guy and he was the last.

From last year. "I thought you were a nice guy." In response to "why did you ignore the no trespassing signs" and sneak over here after you saw me leave.

FWIW, I have never said no to anyone who asked first. But if you don't ask you get the boot.

This is just a rant. I'll be putting up small billboards for the long weekends next summer as well as video taping trespassers.

 

[two_bit_score]

Sometimes you need a rant.

 

[texasjohn]

Understand the rant..I hate trespassers myself.

I believe people trespass for the same reason people commit most crimes...they think they can get away with it...and that the consequences will be something they are willing to pay.

Or, maybe it's just that they don't think

 

[Johndeere3720]

we have had some tresspassers on our property too, they always tear up the gravel in our driveway since they tend to be on ATVs or Dirt bikes. I guess that when they do that though, it just gives me more seat time.

 

[two_bit_score]

I think it's that THEY think there will be no consequences.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Same reason the trespass into the landfill we run. Hunting, fishing, wanted to make sure your not polluting, just wanted to look list goes on and on what you hear. Got a 4 by 8 sign out front. Private Landfill Authorized Vehicles Only. In Belmont MS everyone thinks theyre Authorized.

 

[gauthier]

Used to live on a river,,same thing,yeah the water is not mine,but that land was,didn't matter to 90 percent of tourists.

More people,same amount of water,it will get worse for you not better.

I no longer live beside river,no more problems with treaspassers.

 

[Thomas]

Don't have the answer Tig,but I am willing to bet anything you do there always be one or two that don't get it/understand..hang tough.

 

[irvingj]

I'm constantly amazed by some of the attitudes I observe in the middle school where I work; it seems that the concept of "private ownership" has been largely replaced by one of "community ownership"...

Kids seem to think it's perfectly OK to pick up anything they need if they see it sitting there. Not sure what the cause is, perhaps having too much handed to them? I often repeat my "motto" to kids... "If it ain't yours, don't touch it!"

I've a feeling the concept of private property --or lack thereof-- may have similar roots; everyone believes they're entitled....

No need to apologize, Tig!

 

[om21braz]

Many feel like the world is at their disposal - nobody wants to pay for it though. I'd say it's a lack of proper manners as much as anything, no respect for others or even themselves. Does'nt matter where you are located as it seems to be a common issue. If only you could train a skunk LOL.

 

[rtimgray]

My observation has been that everyone thinks that "NO TRESPASSING" signs apply to everyone BUT them (i.e. the person reading it).

 

[weldingisfun]

Interesting reads, but isn't what y'all have said why God invented barbed wire fencing? Just a thought.

 

[forester2]

Prosecute one and the hearts and minds of the other will follow.

 

[jimmyj]

I think it's because they don't have the space of their own. They figure that the country is wide open space and "what would a person care with all that space if I went there just for a bit...."

Then of course there are the people who are simply taking inventory so they can rob the place later!

 

[brin]

If you want to attract tresspassers build a lake or a pond ! and of course if you have deer, turkey and other game poachers will always be a problem..Sad situation and my experience is the Sheriff looks at enforcement as a nusiance...

 

[texasjohn]

Well, maybe 75% of all trespassing is initiated via water.... and barb wire fences get washed down/don't work across lakes, etc. Prosecution is a tremendous headache to the landowner who has burden of proof, can lead to retaliation (cut fences, dead livestock), affects only the specific trespasser. Just a statement of reality.

Point is that there seems to be no solution....highly mobile society brings people to an area they do not know and have no contacts in, callousness allows them to trespass then leave quickly with no social consequences since they don't live in the community.

This problem has been around since Columbus first sailed West, maybe longer. And, we maybe have mostly moved past the "tack their ears on the smokehouse door" approach to communicating and deterrence. At least we DO have the castle doctrine in Texas when it's REALLY NEEDED.

 

[dave1949]

Used to live on a river,,same thing,yeah the water is not mine,but that land was,didn't matter to 90 percent of tourists.

More people,same amount of water,it will get worse for you not better.

I no longer live beside river,no more problems with treaspassers.

Same thing along the Saco River in S. Maine. Very popular for overnight canoe trips. Large groups of paddlers, plenty of beer, and that's the end of paradise. The river is basically a pathway that brings party drunks to your backyard. The county deputies started cracking down on them, don't know how much success they have had.

It's something to consider when evaluating property you might purchase.

I agree people trespass because they foresee no consequences. You can make consequences for some, but you won't 'train' the whole world. That's where the barb wire fence idea has a lot of merit. Of course, that may give you the feeling of living in your own gulag, which isn't fair either.
Dave.

 

[forester2]

Could let everyone know you have a backhoe if you get my drift. Ha, Ha !!

 

[dave1949]

Could let everyone know you have a backhoe if you get my drift. Ha, Ha !!

Well, there you go. A few well placed open grave sites around the property sends a certain message :laughing:
Dave

 

[zzvyb6]

Lighting off a few high powered rounds at random times of the day will stop all trespassing after a few weeks to let the "over the air" information get transmitted.

A 22-.250 (round every 5 minutes), a mini-30 (the full 40 round magazine with random timings) and of course my favorite of all, a Barrett .50 BMG very early in the morning will make all citizens (even your friends and neighbors) think twice, maybe even 3 times about entering your space.

That means leaving some residoodoo on posts, too: targets with good clean, close clusters although the 50 doesn't leave anything recognizable unless you shoot running lawnmowers at the fenceline for fun. Believe me, that's fun. A good source of them is a Craigslist ad.

Of course a good sign or 2 is good for the intellectuals: "Not Sure if There is a Heaven or He77? Come On in and Find Out"