WWYD re: trespassers, probably neighbors

Rustaholic · #**141** 10/17/13, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelZ

There is no question about this: You posted signs and even warned them. Now turn it over to Law Enforcement. And if these are supposed "Christians" all the more reason. And I am a Christian myself, and such double-standards are quite sad to see and need to be exposed. I would hope that any supposed "Christian" camp that instructs its guests to break the law be shut down!

AMEN to that

Molly Mckee · #**142** 10/17/13, 06:48 PM

You could put letters on the cars at the local SDA churches explaining the problem and asking for help, if appealing to the leaders doesn't stop the stealing. I would thing that like Bellyman, any member of the group that does not steal would want this ended.

The camp is certainly not helping the church and it is making them look like a bunch of hypocrites. I find it hard to believe that any church would not find a more honest camp manager if the problem came to their attention. Plenty of people have read this posting and will wonder why the SDA church permits stealing. Local publicity would also hurt them..

Common Tator · #**143** 10/17/13, 07:04 PM

Molly, I don't think the camp employees could stop the stealing, nor is it their job. They could notify their campers that they no longer own the ranch, and that the campers are not to hike over and trespass on the ranch, or something along those lines. Perhaps they could phrase it a little more diplomatically.

One of the excuses that so many campers have used over the years is that hey thought the camp still owned it.

The camp could pay attention to what people are doing there. If people are, as suggested earlier, driving there, parking and hiking over to our place, they could pay attention to who comes & goes. They could pay attention to people. And if some are there without legitimate business, they could ask them to leave. That only seems like common sense to me.

Michael W. Smith · #**144** 10/17/13, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Common Tator

Now that I've blown off steam, given it thought. Here is what I want to do.

What I've put in motion: provided pictures to the Sheriff, and I'll be at peace with whatever he does.

Ummmm . . . . . . that is YOUR tax dollars at work - YOU pay his wages, so in effect, YOU are his employer.

I would call him tomorrow and ask "So what are you doing about my problem?"

I'm guessing your information is sitting on his desk somewhere for "when he can get to it". Remind him about it so he gets to it sooner rather than later.

Common Tator · #**145** 10/17/13, 08:52 PM

I don't know if the sheriff is back from vacation yet. I haven't heard back yet.

Common Tator · #**146** 10/17/13, 09:36 PM

Also, I don't want to beat up on our sheriff. If he is on vacation. I'm willing to wait until he gets back. He has a huge rural area that he is in control of , and he does a great job. He got our stolen ATV back for us a few years back. He does his job. His predecessors, not so much. He isn't neglecting us. He is on vacation.

Echoesechos · #**147** 10/17/13, 10:08 PM

Along with the boundary warning sign place some that say security cameras at work. Violators will be prosecuted..

copperkid3 · #**148** 10/17/13, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echoesechos

Along with the boundary warning sign place some that say security cameras at work. Violators will be prosecuted..

+ + + + + + + +
Thieves will sometimes steal more than apples!

It's enough that they already know, that they

are both trespassing and stealing apples.

They don't have to be given a clue as to how

they are caught, or how to now remove that

evidence gathering to avoid further prosecution.

Word will get out soon enough. Might want to

think about having a very well concealed cam,

watching the primary one.

Tricky Grama · #**149** 10/18/13, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COWS

I have read this interesting thread and my first thought was "only in California." In the SE where I live I suspect the matter would have been handled more abruptly. The local legal system would NOT have had any sympathy for trespassers, assuming the legal system got involved. My impression is that it is not necessary to have posted signs up in SC to prosecute trespassers away. I do know that all land is considered posted concerning someone trespassing to hunt.

FYI on prices. Daughter took her children to a WNC orchard as part of a school trip. A fee was paid. People were given small bags and allowed to pick apples as part of the fee. We also bought 1/2 bushel of apples for $20.

COWS

I think that too, every time I open this thread! LOL! Plus, my strange humor, I've wanted to say since CT described the doc: "Is she too big for 'SSS'?"
I'll apologize in advance...

ceresone · #**150** 10/18/13, 06:52 AM

We bought our place in December '67, when electric was turned on-next day it burned to the ground. Anyhow--the next summer, we had 2 beautiful Pear trees, loaded with Pears. Came home one day, and a neighbor almost a mile away, was picking pears. My Husband told him that they were ours--to which neighbor replied "I've picked these Pears for several years, and just because the place is sold, don't mean I'm going to quit picking!!
Another neighbor told Hubby that he had hunted here for years, wasn't going to quit. Husband answered, Might be-but wife does a lot of target practice! And-He soon found out-there's a steep hill across our creek-and when I saw him sneaking up the valley (a safe distance away) I started picking out my targets! Should have seen him run!!

jkhs · #**151** 10/18/13, 12:45 PM

Tator, if/when you add a new sign at the boundary line you might want to also post that the property is no longer owned by the camp. That way you really make it clear to these people that they are stealing, rather than entering private property that they think they have a right to.

Patchouli · #**152** 10/18/13, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkhs

Tator, if/when you add a new sign at the boundary line you might want to also post that the property is no longer owned by the camp. That way you really make it clear to these people that they are stealing, rather than entering private property that they think they have a right to.

Good idea. I would add it is the property of your orchard name and to please come around to the front gate to pay to pick apples.

Common Tator · #**153** 10/18/13, 02:11 PM

Perhaps having a sign at our boundary telling folks that the camp no longer owns the place will shame the into making at least a modest effort to keep their guests from sneaking into our place.

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Lookin4GoodLife · #**154** 10/18/13, 10:45 PM

I don't remember if it's been mentioned yet, but how about contacting local media? If you explained your situation to them, they might do an expose and shame some folks into stopping their actions. Might also be some free advertising for you.

ntjpm · #**155** 10/19/13, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Common Tator

Cows, I have offered schools a discount too. I offered to have schools discounts to come to our ranch too. As long as they provide me with a Certificate of Insurance, listing us as an additional named insured. I will give each kid a 1/4 peck bag, send them off with a long handled picker. Let thempick a small bag of apples.

My reasons are many. The kids get a nice field trip for only $5 per child. Very cheap as field trips go, and that gives them the bag of apples. Some of those kids will never otherwise get a chance to pick an apple right off the tree and eat it but I think all kids should have that experience.

Some of these kids never get to go anywhere outside of home and school.

Some of these kids will tell their family, and bring them back to pick apples.

Total thread drift (sorry), but I own a preschool and if I knew that there was a field trip like this offered somewhere near me I would definitely be bringing my school. The only thing I would add is (and you might already do it) is some little educational bit given by you (or your staff) about apples. That would be an awesome September field trip. Good on you for doing this in your community.

Tracy in WA

Big Dave · #**156** 10/19/13, 04:45 AM

I have read the entire post up till the end here. CAMP? do they have cabins. Can you just go over and stay at their place or even rent cabins and you get the money. Do it once and see how the shoe is on the other foot. You dear sister are very tolerant.

ChristieAcres · #**157** 10/19/13, 05:15 AM

A lot of posts with great ideas! I'll be interested to hear what happens when the Sheriff returns.

What would we do? Since we have signs that read, "No Trespassing, Violators will be Prosecuted," we would do just that. If we caught someone here picking apples, we would call the Police and have the individual picked up, naturally pressing charges for theft. Like you did, would put up a camera to catch the offender (s) in the act, also would make it a "shocking" experience. So far, no one has made it past Sam, our sweet watchdog. He notifies us loud and clear. Some of the neighbors above us took their little dogs on a walk down the shared access easement driveway. Sam stood on our property line barking menacingly at them when the group got closer. They haven't been back since, probably worried Sam might hurt one of their little dogs. Meanwhile, he wouldn't hurt any of them, unless they tried to hurt him.

VERN in IL · #**158** 10/19/13, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Common Tator

We own a you-pick apple orchard in the mountains. It is surrounded by National Forest. Our closest full time neighbor is a Christian camp. They used to own our ranch, but sold it 19 years ago, at a tidy profit. Before selling, they transplanted 12 apple trees from the orchard over to their place. So it isn't like they don't have apples of heir own. However they sold our ranch to absentee owners. So the employees and guests of this camp continued to treat the place like they own it. Pillage the apple orchard.

Then we bought the place. Posted no trespassing signs, and started confronting people who ignored the signs. They were first asked not to do that. Then they were told in no uncertain terms to stop it immediately. The staff was instructing the guests to hike over to our place, and we asked them repeatedly to stop that. However we kept finding strangers on the ranch who told us that they were told to hike here.

Then they got large dogs and gave them free run. We didn't know who owned them. We just knew that they were chasing our livestock. I had a lengthy thread here about that. I had to stop there one day on business, and recognized the dogs. I researched state law and notified the camp that if the dogs came back to chase livestock, I would shoot the dogs, and the dogs owners would be liable for any damage or injury caused to our livestock by their dogs. It didn't stop until a short time later when the dogs were lunging at my donkey's throat. I called to tell them I was getting my gun. I didn't have to shoot the dogs, as they ran off when I got close enough yo get a good shot.

Fast forward to today. I have game cam footage of a group hiking in, with empty backpacks and shopping bags, and leaving with them full. And one of the dogs was with them.

We have owned this place 13 years, and they still ignore the law and do as they please.

Should I confront the camp with the photos, or just turn it over to the sheriff?

YOU are the Landowner. It is YOUR responsibility to stop "public access" Signs do nothing, they have to leave when you tell them or you can have them arrested, but if you don't see them, they will keep coming like hordes of zombies. You need a fence and a gate, perhaps signs saying "keep out by order of the sheriff" and a Sheriff order would help. It works like public access with roads, if the gate is open and no signs present, anyone can walk in. But if your gate is locked and signs, the zombies are in trouble.

Nothing better to keep Zombie Trespassers away than HUMAN PRESENCE. It's like if I bought 120 acres down south, and only visited it twice a year, the locals would overrun it, it'd have tree stands and who knows what other "unauthorized" activity would be on it, probably a full fledged Mary Jane operation.

Common Tator · #**159** 10/19/13, 04:58 PM

Just checking in. I haven't heard back from the Sheriff yet. I'll call him back on Monday.

So I've been researching small claims actions, preparing a letter to demand that the doc pay damages. I'm really bad at this. I wrote a lengthy letter where I blew off steam. Then I slept on it and went back to the letter and started removing everything that wasn't necessary, even remotely emotional, gave too much information, etc.

The finished letter will include the pictures, state the facts, make a demand that she pay damages (outlined) and give her 30 days to do so or I'll file the small claims action.

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Lookin4GoodLife · #**160** 10/19/13, 05:06 PM

That was probably a good idea. You're not Clarence Darrow or Johnny Cochran and I doubt novices trying to play Perry Mason impresses a judge much. You did good taking the soap box out and sticking with the facts. I'm a hot-head myself and I'm sure I would have been guilty of the same thing.

I do know one thing..... I can't stand a thief and I'm a stubborn old goat. If I didn't get satisfaction in court, I'd be on that back lot morning, noon and night even if I had to hire or barter for someone to watch the business end of things for me and the next time someone breached that fence-line, they'd be staring at the business end of my 12 gauge. It wouldn't have anything to do with a monetary loss, it'd be the principle of someone screwing me.