Best way to block access

dragonjaze · #21 09/13/10, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palani

Union guys used to make these inexpensive gadgets called "jack rocks". Take two staples (fencing type) and weld them together so no matter which way they land one spike will stick up.

Very effective for puncturing tires.

Pick them up by dragging a magnet on the front of the car where the tires run.

Caltrops. Very ancient history behind those, yet still amazingly effective.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caltrop

Natural Beauty Farm · #22 09/13/10, 07:07 PM

Being visible is the best deterrent I've found. If its only 10 min away, plan on some time hanging out with a reg spot light after dark. Drive by different times of night and just ask people if they need help if they are parked on your property. Don't have to let them know its your property if you want to avoid confrontations.

I had the same problem, started driving by after work and pretty soon the dates did not want to get caught with their pants down and the guys up to no good figured it was easier to find another place to steal from since I was always randomly showing up. Took about 6 months, but now word is out and nobody goes down that road.

paintboy · #23 09/13/10, 07:47 PM

Camp out time with spot light and m-80's. Shotgun with blanks. Chainsaw and a mask. All kinds of fun could be had with this.

Bandit · #24 09/13/10, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paintboy

Camp out time with spot light and m-80's. Shotgun with blanks. Chainsaw and a mask. All kinds of fun could be had with this.

There was a post similar to this one on the Maine City-Data Forum and the ideas were a lot more fun then Yours .

Bob

Conhntr · #25 09/13/10, 09:19 PM

I agree with the sheriff idea. Get it on record that you have a problem, post property properly, and then if something happens down the road you have documentation! As much as i agree that when someone deliberately tresspasses (and worse is stealing) setting booby traps is very illegal (felony in Va).

Its dumb but if you did caltrobes and they wrecked as a result you would be liable and a felon.

The hunt lease is also a good idea, let them camp, cu. Firewood etc if you lease to a 10man group there would be people out there all the time

**clovis** · #26 09/13/10, 11:04 PM

Based on the information you've mentioned, I bet that those stealing from you and trespassing are a small group of people.

FWIW, those junk cars would have been worth several hundred dollars in scrap to you.

Old Vet · #27 09/13/10, 11:19 PM

don't know where you are but the only way to keep thieves away is with a 30-06. I had some that were parked just off the main road and I asked them to leave the nest time I came across them I poured about 2 gallons of defoliant in their car by putting it in the window and letting it drip in to the door. All I needed to do was to put something in the bottom wiper that is their and letting it drip in to it. Defoliant stinks like a skunk and last just about the same.

silverbackMP · #28 09/13/10, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishhead

If the driveway is weedy you could lay a 20' length of barbed wire in a tire rut. After they wrap that around the axle a hundred times they won't be going anywhere for a long time. Put up a no trespassing sign then they are fair game.

That will also work on the electric company vehicle so make sure they know to call you EVERY time they want to cross your property so you can move it off the road.

That works; had a 1" steel cable wrap around the drive shaft of my Humvee in Iraq; three vehicles total (1 not armoured--this was OIF 1) out in the middle BFE (conducting area security). Talk about being a nervous wreck trying to get that mess untangled. I knew our wrecker didn't have gas for his torch so there was no use in calling for assistance.

**clovis** · #29 09/14/10, 12:37 AM

If you could ever get license plate numbers, would the sheriff ever send letters to the owners of the vehicles stating "your vehicle was sited trespassing, and the occupants may have been involved in sexual conduct while parked on this property"?

meanwhile · #30 09/14/10, 05:07 AM

If it is people "parking" on Friday or Saturday nights, why don't you drive down there with a Camera. Just drive by and Flash the Flash and snap several pictures. It is is kids, then they will not come back since the picture taking will scare them off. If it is Adults, then probably maybe they are not doing something they should be doing with whoever they are doing it with or they would not be in a car - so same thing. They don't want any pictures taken.

And if you get the license number, you can ask the Sheriff Dept to help.

Or try putting up a sign that says "Constant Photo Monitoring" or something like that.

Good luck - how annoying to have to deal with this.

seagullplayer · #31 09/14/10, 05:47 AM

Just put up a sign that says you have a camera.

Maybe stick a couple of them cheap solar lights up the drive a bit, so a person can make out the light, but not where it is coming from.

Maybe even a trash can, so that the kids that stay will have something to aim at...

RWBlue01 · #32 09/14/10, 08:35 AM

Escalation of force.
Talk to the local authorities. Odds are they will not do anything, but you are on record talking to the authorities about the theft.

Then post the property saying you have cameras.

If someone removes the signs re-post this time with cameras. Check the cameras often to see who has been around. Put them high so the average teen can not climb the tree and get them.

motdaugrnds · #33 09/14/10, 01:44 PM

Well, you already know not much can be done that works & is costly unless you're actually living on the place. I do agree that you need to get it on record with the local authorities and put up your no trespassing signs. This would prove you're reacting in a legal manner.

Then I would sneak around on a Friday or Saturday night and take pictures! (Have those pics blown up and put up a billboard to show what happens when people are caught on your property.)

NorthCountryWd · #34 09/14/10, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texican

Anything that you can install that can be 'moved' by you, can be moved just as or even more easily by others (if they're professionals). Chains, gates, logs, are just for honest folks. Anyone wanting in can move em.

Now, if you don't plan on being there for a while, nothing beats a good old fashioned backhoe, a six foot deep trench six feet wide... will keep everyone (except someone with a backhoe, and most folks don't carry them around in the back of their trucks) from using the road.

Agree. I do property maintenance for absentee owners and property crime has been on the rise recently. I've installed gates, downed trees, boulders, piles of stone and has stopped some, but it's not a guarantee. The best thing you can do is make your presence known. I drive the properties I cover weekly to check on them and that seems to have helped.

For example- I installed a gate for a client made from steel I-beam sunk in 6 feet of concrete, concealed padlock, boulders and 30 inch diameter trees on either side of the driveway. Next day I delivered and stacked 4 cords of firewood and locked the gate behind me......

....owner showed up for hunting season a couple weeks later and all the wood was gone. From tracks in the driveway, it looked like they carted the wood out to the gate with a wheelbarrow.

Owner was not happy, but luckily I took pictures of the wood with a date stamp after I deliver, so I still got paid.

Pelenaka · #35 09/14/10, 04:48 PM

I have the same problem here with a well maintained vacant lot behind our urban homestead when I moved here 10 years ago.
Everyone from teenagers looking for a spot to lite up, to yuppies not picking up after puff ball dogs to an occassional professional working girl visited that lot.
Depending on who it was I used the following; for teenagers & neighbors I snap a few pics while screaming in spanish or ---dish. If it's night all that matters is that the flash goes off. For the rest I used colored water in a super soaker. Color of choice is red so I yell, OMG your bleeding dude your really bleeding. Were you shot? Did she shoot you? Don't move I'm calling 911 ... I was the talk of the bodaga that Summer.
What you need is a reputation. Real or perceived.

~~ pelenaka ~~

empofuniv · #36 09/14/10, 11:54 PM

Our Harley riding dd suggested this for us when we had motorcycles folks cutting our fences and riding cross country on our desert property.

Get some scraps of what looks like parts of a motorcycle. An old helmet from a thrift store. Something that looks like pieces of riding leathers or stuff the off roaders wear.

Scatter it about 10 ft inside our fence line, pour a circle of gas around it, light that off and leave a piece of wood that looks like a spear through the face mask of the helmet.

We didn't do it, but I sure thought about it. What I did do was transplant all the cactus I could find in our 20 acres across the cut fence line and pile up all the dead cactus there too. Extended it about 10 feet either side of the cut. That was about 5 yrs ago and we've never had anyone cut through there again. And that cactus hedge is looking good now!

Yvonne's hubby · #37 09/15/10, 12:03 AM

Get some quarantine signs from your health dept. Or make some copies of some. I dont know anyone who really wants to risk something like ebola virus.

Navotifarm · #38 09/15/10, 01:38 AM

This has been a really interesting thread but the fact is, while you can block access of a vehicle with physical means, say a telephone pole across the driveway, the fact is you simply cannot stop the guy on foot with a wheelbarrow, or the four-wheeler or the mountain biker or the guys running hounds across your land if you are not there to see them and do something about it. Complaining to the local sheriff may not work because maybe its his own kids or buddies. The prosecuting attorney or magistrate or whoever will say you need PROOF or a witness. Even if you get a photo, it beter have a recognizable landmark or distinctive no trespassing sign. OP here from his posts is inteligent and law abiding. I don't see him setting claymore mines or stil guns or even wanting to hurt a trespasser. Best suggestion was natural beauty farm, just BE there. Catch them in the act and photograph them. Disrupt their activity and photograph them. Do something with the photos such as mail them with a letter to at least TWO branches of law enforcement such as the sheriff AND the game warden. When you get a photo if poSsible get other identifying data such as photo of vehicle and photo of license plate and something distinctive about the location. Basically, build yourself a reputation that you care about your land and will defend it. Legally and creatively. Try to be unpredictable. Don't patrol at consistent times. If there's more than one approach to the property, come from different directions day and night. Maybe there is a neighbor who can be a watchman, too. Your interest is his interest because his place might be next. Be vigilant. Don't allow anyone to say "that property is abandoned. Nobody cares." Earn respect.

MELOC · #39 09/15/10, 01:54 AM

find a cop who wishes to hunt and give him permission to access the property. explain the situation and you may find him eager to help.

coup · #40 09/15/10, 06:03 AM

i would start with the signs and maybe an ad in the local paper that you own the land and tresspassing is illegal. you can sometimes buy old cheap,film game cameras that wouldn't hurt to bad if lost.....i have one that no longer works and i installed an antenna on it hoping it looks,like it may send pics to the internet. i place in in view of the posted signs.....