WWYD re: trespassers, probably neighbors

Why are you targeting the Dr? Are you hoping she will give the names of the other people?

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The Dr. is the only person who has been identified. I have asked in the letter for her to identify the others. When the Sheriff talks to her she may give him the other names.


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Popeye

Ah ok, gotcha

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Does the Sherrif station close down while the Sherrif is on vacation??? No one else available to help out??? What about a solar powered fence zapper. Post an "Electric Fence" sign right below the No Trespassing sign. Less than $200 could add that to your existing fence.

Our ranch is surrounded by National Forest. Our local Sheriff is assigned to our nearest little berg. He knows the locals. He is the only one on the force who even knows how to find our ranch.

The doctor lives in that little berg too. Our local sheriff is familiar with the California Farm theft program. I don't know if any other deputy that might answer the call would know anything about the program. But the penalties are different for theft from a farm than they are for others. Thefts from farms are more heavily penalized than other types of thefts.

This sheriff understands the history between the church camp and our ranch, and the church camp and us personally. And finally, I want a cool head to prevail. I don't want people arrested and saddled with a criminal record that will follow them forever. I would much prefer something to be done administratively. They can learn a lesson without being placed under arrest and having a mug shot taken. I want to stop the thefts, not ruin lives.

I've been talking to the camp all these years. And what I had to say was dually noted and ignored. Perhaps if the sheriff were to talk to them, he could get them to be aware of who is at the camp, and what they are doing.

Perhaps if they were to post a notice at the spot where the trail to our ranch leaves their camp, that they no longer own the ranch, that the ranch is privately owned and that there are civil and criminal penalties for farm thefts.

If they see someone, or a group without any camp related business drive up, park their car, hiked off, and return with bags of apples, there is exactly one local option of where they went and what they did. Or if they see their own campers disappear down the trail, return with bags of apples, they could say something, either to the sheriff, or to me. Because it means that they hiked our ranch, stole apples and hiked back. Plus, I'll be taking the perps (her/them) to small claims court, and asking for the maximum amount allowed by law. It turns out that may be quite a bit, as I'm entitled to ask for triple damages. At least in this case.

Perhaps if this local Sheriff were to talk to them, they will listen to him, where they were quite comfortable ignoring me before law enforcement was involved. Perhaps if he were to explain to them that they may share culpability with the perpetrators if they willfully ignore what they have been facilitating all these years, they will listen.


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Popeye

Just a thought, could your email have possibly ended up in the Sherriff's spam folder?
I am very sorry to hear about your troubles, If they are locals, they know who's property it is and since they are coming in through the "back door" i.e. the camp and are quiet about it I would think they are aware they are stealing. I am not trying to rile you up about that and I hope it comes to an agreeable solution for you as quickly as possible, best wishes.

I'll find out if the Sheriff got my emails when I talk yo him on Monday.

I agree that these folks snuck in the bottom of the property to avoid detection. I've already gone through my getting riled up phase. Now I'm in my thinking it through phase.


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Popeye

I'm following the developments of your trespasser problem with interest. Naturally, I'm rooting for you, Tater.

(I've gotten a lot of ideas for how to improve our own little homestead's security, so beyond understanding ways to deal with trespassers, I've bookmarked a number of resources for securing some corners of our little property, that are currently outside easy sight lines, so although this is off topic, thanks to everyone for another great learning experience I didn't know I'd enjoy! )

Just have to say, you're toooo nice, CT. Their theft SHOULD follow them...

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I would probably bury a wire around that upper secluded area they are stealing from and put a couple dogs in there and electrify the border fence.

I would add the This Property is XYZ U-Pick Farm, Do Not Enter Here,
Beware of Dogs and Electric Fence signs. Yes, And keep the trail cams up for the ones that will not adhere.

When you wanted to let your paying customers up there you could remove the dogs for a while. Seems like German Shepherds make great watch dogs.

Can you tell I do NOT like thieves?

You would have much better luck in small claims court if these people had been arrested for their theft. They know exactly what they are doing. I agree, you are too nice.

Or rotate out through the 3 strands (at random) so they don't know (without trial and error each time) the hot one. But I'm evil that way

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I found the Doc's Facebook page. She had photos of herself, two of the three young adults that were with her the day they were here, and the little girl. She only mentions their first names, but they do appear to be her family.


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Popeye

Good detective work.

This begs the question: What Denomination of Christians is this Camp? Seems very un "Christian like" to be taking other peoples stuff.


Spill the beans, I wanna know what is their name of the denomination!

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I believe she said they were 7th day Adventist?

Wow, you are way more forgiving than I am. I you don't even want them arrested and I'd be pushing for jail time.

+ + + + + + + +


That question was already answered in thread #36.

Search her friends for people with those first names and you may find their profiles as well.

Hmmhmm, probably they are vegetarian. LOL that is funny, can't let an Apple go to waste.

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I see a very dark cloud on America's horizon,
and that cloud is coming from Rome.
- Abraham Lincoln