[frazzledmom]

Does anyone have ideas to prevent vandalism? My house was spray painted Saturday night; our vehicle was keyed. We are at a loss on what to do? We live in Shelby Twp.

[oneredhonda]

If you don't have them all ready you might want to install motion activated flood lights. If this is happening at night if a light comes on right away the vandals might think twice.
Also if you have not be sure to complain to the police and get a police report of the vandalism for your records. If you continue to complain you might be able to have the police step up the patrols in your area.

[Lisa_from_Debary]

Its probably someone from your neighborhood, maybe someone that goes to school with your kids...this kind of thing is not usually random...

I would let it be known you have a shot gun and plan on shooting someone's bum full of buck shot should you see them...whether you in fact have one or not...

AND let me say I would never REALLY recommend you taking such an action because its illegal...

Talk to other people in the neighborhood, people normally know how the trouble makers are...in my book the best thing you could do it to pursue it and make sure they end up getting put in jail if posible...I would be surprised if your house was the first one.

[RedWingsFan]

I would get the lights that come on from motion. And start a neighborhood watch program. If someone does something on your property shoot their butts! It's YOUR property and no jury in their right mind will convict you. :-)

[CaboolBound]

My advice to you is to put some cameras up. We had some problems like that in our neighborhood and the police said that you can't really do anything unless there is proof. Good Luck.

Kim

[BurtsBees]

Call the department and ask for a special watch.

[ChairborneRanger]

Originally Posted by RedWingsFan

I would get the lights that come on from motion. And start a neighborhood watch program. If someone does something on your property shoot their butts! It's YOUR property and no jury in their right mind will convict you. :-)

Use of deadly force is almost never legal when it comes to defending and protecting property. When used to protect life given imminent danger and a plausible threat----absolutely----property, no way. Just call your local police or sheriff or ask your attorney if you don't believe the validity of that.

[Lisa_from_Debary]

You might get away with that in some states but certainly not all...better to check out the laws governing lethal force before you take action, I would hate to read about someone being carted off to jail for something like that.

[RedWingsFan]

Noboody said to kill the person! I would never advocate deadly force.

What else do you suggest? Just lay down and be a victim? I can't see cameras working unless you can identify the person you see. But they are probably taking steps to disguise themselves.

Like I also said, start a community watch program and see if it helps. Report all activity to the police as well, maybe they will patrol that community more. Inform your neighbors as well of what's going on so if they see something suspicious going on at your house they can call for help.

[bubbagirl]

Invest in a GOOD camera system and make sure the WHOLE neighborhood knows your property is being recorded. This is the *only* way to get someone to think twice - because you'll have proof they did it.

Anyone who is anyone doing something bad know the police have too much to handle. Doing special watches on your property is NOT a priority.

It has been proven time and again that you can't count on the neighbors. Watch "It Takes a Thief" if you don't believe me.

Over the past 12 months, my vehicles have been victums...
1. punctured gas tank, cut intake gas hose (dodge dakota)
2. 2 punctured tires (chevy truck)
3. tore up dash, stereo stolen (chevy truck)
4. tampered wiring, attempted hotwire (dakota)
5. busted windsheild, broken PS mirror (honda civic)
6. disabled: cut serpentine belt, stolen battery, pulled oil pan plug, wiring cut, and possibly more damage (most latest on chevy truck; headed to mechanic this week for complete evaluation)

Items 3-6 happened virtually about the same time and we were out of town. We were under the impression that the neighbors - all "upstanding citizens" - would get in touch with us if anything was out of sorts. Also knew cops were driving by somewhat regularly. Yeah, none of that meant much and we're paying for it. Luckily we keep full coverage insurance... If we had had the ability to have a camera system in place, we would have.

Save yourself the time and headache and invest now. Don't think that it won't happen again, that whomever it was got it out of their system and you'll no longer be targeted. If you don't do anything, you're an easy target. There are plenty of good and reasonably priced systems out there and you can purchase 'under survelience' signs to go along with it.