okie dokie, hubbie and i found out this morning that a nightmare family with
4 kids under the age of 5 are moving in next door; next door is a 2 bedroom
house; they have a pitbull; they have been arrested for a major drug dealing;
if it sounds like it is made up, it is not; these are not good neighbors....; they had moved
2 houses down about 2 yrs ago...they left a couch in the front yard for 2 years;
hubby and i are freaking out; they are major trouble makers and let their children run
amuck; short of borrowing trouble...we are trying to prepare ourselves...; our biggest concern is that children climbing our fence....it is a white vinyl pickett fence that
we paid alot of money for....if they try to climb on the fence it is toast;
CAN YOU HELP US THINK ABOUT A DETERRANT TO CLIMBING THE FENCE?
we are seriously thinking about buying full rose bushes and planting outside our fence....they would be on their property....but they never did anything in their yard
b4....so i don't think they would do anything ie(taking the rose bushes out) now.....
i would think that thorny rose bushes would be a deterrant...can yall think of another
solution? we would have to do it tonight....so we will be digging tonight in the dark so can you think fast?
Alright FOLKS...I NEED the DEVIOUS & CREATIVE bad neighbors
I don't know, but it seems that planting something in someone else's yard is not the right thing to do. Why would the children climb over the fence?
Is there something in your yard that would entice them to climb?
Come to think about it, if the rose bushes are on your side of the fence, they would be a deterrent also, because as they come down they would fall on the bushes, but you would have to make it a solid row.
I don't know what else, other than hope your fears don't come to pass.
Good luck.
i am not sure why they are fascinated with the fence...but it is sort of like trees....kids love to climb...;we are trying to just put a deterant to keep the kids away from the fence....since theirs is a rental property, we had the thought to place roses along the property line to act as another barrier.... i have no room in my flowerbed for anything else....i had thought about adding roses previously for our side but then decided to put the fence; crime in our area is increasing and our home is paid for so we aren't moving....just trying to stay safe....
Hmmm. Strands of curly barbed wire across the top? Cactus beds? Minefields maybe! My sympathy Sticks.
Short of buying the house it is impossible to control who your neighbors are. They probably won't last there long either but in the meantime can be a royal pain!
I am thankful daily for living in the woods and for the good neighbors I am blessed with. So sorry.... pod
Had you thought about putting up an electric fence? You could put a strand just above the ground so that it wouldn't short out and than again about half way up and then again at the top. One time touching that and they will stay away. It might sting a little bit but it won't hurt them. My kids have been in them before, the will holler for a second and then wonder what got a hold of em. It will even keep the dogs out of your yard.
Wow....wish I could think of something that wasn't already said. I feel terrible for you. Did anyone in your neighborhood talk to the adults in the past about keeping their kids in their own yard?
My children would never dream of climbing fences on other people's property (guess I have bragging rights).
That's a mess you're in! Wish I could help. Me, I'd do the thorny rose bushes. Josephine is right, they'll fall over to the other side if you purchase the right kind.
Try making friends with the young ones. The parents sound hopeless, but you might start chatting with the children. If you can get them to show any sigh of interest in flowers, then whip out a pack of sunflower seeds. They can plant them along "their" fence line. Remind the helpers that any dogs or little siblings are going to kill "their" flowers and to guard them and the fence line with their little lives. Best of luck, I feel for ya.
There is a rose named Rugosa that is also known as "The Sentry Rose". It is a VERY tough rose. It has visicous thorns, a lovely single bloom that is fragrant and doesn't require much care. I'd definitely plant some of those along the fence. Maybe on Both sides!
Can your homeowner's association do anything about things like the couch left in the yard?
There is more to this than just a barrier. As president of our HOA I have just returned from a meeting at DeSoto City Hall. Just a short break going back for two more sessions shortly.
The first session was with representative of HUD and the Housing Authority (section 8).
Our city has grown too fast with too many creative loans and we are inundated with foreclosure....not the point. Your first move is to determine who the landlord is.....or the agent who is managing the property. They are first in line with obligations to keep the standards in line with the community and closest neighbors. In our city, Code Enforcement has been delegated to the police department. It is well known that this type of thing leads to more and more crime. Google "Broken Window Syndrome" and you will be surprised.
Contact you city councilman, the mayor, city manager, chief of police, code enforcement...everyone you can think of. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS.
You must be pro-active with the ordinances of your city. We have laws to take care of many of the problems but they must be enforced or they amount to nothing. Electric fences in residntial areas are prohibited because they can kill. In the short run....post signs...such as Private Property Keep Out (in Texas this gives you the right to protect your property).....Add a lower fence from the back fence post all the way down your property line. Call the police today and tell them you will be calling often to report the smallest infraction. In effect.....harrass them till they move on. If it is a section 8 rental.....they cannot have rental subsidy if there is a felony charge. Drug users steal everyday to support their habits and if they are in your area regularly you won't be able to nail things down. As you can see, I very riled up today. Our beautiful city of some 50,000 is being defiled by the few. I have lived in my home 40 years and absolutely refuse to be displaced.
Your rights as a homeowner supercede those of the renter. Our next session at 11:30 is: How to make your community safer". Will check back with tips later today.
and now for the badder news....; my hubby is on the city council; that is another reason why we are so cringing....the chalkline that you walk in that type of office...he is also up for reelection may 12....so the tightrope is very tight right now; second, we are a town of 1800....where everyone knows everyone else; there is so much corruption in this town due to a public official that looks the other way and wont retire....short of just identifying us and screaming his name i just need to even watch what i say here as who the heck knows if it is being read....; i appreciate all whom just listen and give ideas....just for today, i will remain serene; just for today i will be calm...just for today all is well; i appreciate all who read and offer help....will keep you updated as this saga progresses...
OK - here's my two cents worth.
It's not devious, but you may need proof of damage
one day. Also, it might keep them on their toes.
Install a security camera on your house to cover the
yard and hook it up to your VCR and a tape. They are
not that expensive. I can switch from the TV to the camera
on the front porch and see who is at the door without
opening it. If you have definite proof of any damage or
harrasing behavior, your problem - should you ever have one -
can be easily taken care of. One picture is worth a thousand
words. Good luck - you're gonna need it.
In our last session yesterday the Chief of Police was the speaker. Our city is partnering with a system that directly reports from your alarm system to the police dispatcher. I'm planning to participate at this time. Still leave my doors unlocked. The other suggestion was to purchase the camera that Mahnot is talking about. He said that it is very difficult to stop a burglary but with a video of the perputrator makes it easier to find and prosecute.
After 5 sessions yesterday the thing that was brought up most often by the citizens was unkept property......followed by crime.....and there is usually a connection. Your husband is in a unique position to soon be a part of the sollution. Code Enforcement can be the best tool the police department has. You may check our website for more information.
As of tomorrow it is going to be greatly updated and I am looking forward to see the changes. It is ci.desoto.tx.us
Will be praying that these people have a change of heart...perhaps your church could visit them and offer to get the children into church with discipline and love.
LouC ~ it is not wise to leave doors unlocked. It changes the aspect of the charges that can be filed should you have a problem. It would not be considered "forced entry" or "breaking and entering".
When this happens, the victim and the public do not understand why more serious charges won't be brought against the criminal.
An example of this here was a newer SUV was parked at a friends home ( in the garage ) while they went somewhere together. The SUV owner left keys in vehicle which was stolen. Their property was not fenced, not posted with no closed gate and the vehicle was not locked much less left with keys. The charges on the villian could have been far more serious otherwise. Edited to add the only thing this meth head was charged with was unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. So sad!
The teeth are in the laws if the public was better informed. Unfortunately, the courts have perverted the laws to this point.
This message was edited Apr 29, 2007 2:36 PM
Thank you, Podster. What I said about not locking up is not entirely true. Agree with you 100% abou the courts. Meant to say NOT partnering with alarm system as yet.
Back to the garden. What an absolute glorious day!
Crowellli suggested Sea Tomatoes (Rosa rugosa). That seems to be the right direction. There are others of the rose family, that are tastier: blackberries, dewberries, raspberries, boysenberry (Rasp, Black and Elder hybrid). If not pruned they will spread on both sides. Canes get about 6' long then root where they touch the ground.
The best fence deterrant I have ever come across is stinging nettle. I grew up in England (don't know if it grows here). If any of it touches your skin, its like bees stinging your legs. It grows like a weed (and looks like one).
I read in the rose forum that a stinging nettle mixture is excellent for roses.
Other thoughts (some might be potentially hazardous)
Grease the fence
Mount those sharp, pointy fleur de li metal things on top of the fence (looks nicer than barbed wire)
Loud, barking dog
bee hive on the fence
Grow a thorny vine or on the fence
New Dawn or other very thorny, vigorous climbing rose on the fence
An Italian bee stings when you step or sit on it, or mess with its hive. The more aggressive African hybrids from Brasil are a danger to everyone. (In Cincinnati anything yelow and black is called a bee).
A dog would result in vet bills from fighting with the Pit. They come from what had been a popular mix of Bulldog and Terrier. Neither English Bulldog nor French Bulldog will fight. So did the Boston Terrier and Boxer. A proper Terrier temperament can be raised with anything. When they are mature about three years they will kill anything that doesn't belong (varmints). Pit Bulls have been selected for paranoia.
Nettles usually belong to genus Urtica which are annuals. 'Bull Nettle' is applied to both Solanum and Uttica. Then there is the 'Texas Bull Nettle' Cnidoscolus texanus. An annual is a part time fix. Does anyone know if the other two are perrenial?
There is a relative of Texas Bull Nettle Cnidoscolus stimulosus, Finger Rot.
Ever thought about ''Tanglefoot" on your fence? It works for birds. LOL
You have my sympathy, I do know what you are going through. GOOD LUCK!!!!
Well the first 2 plants I thought of were stinging nettle which hurts like hell for hours and pyracantha which won't surprise me if I found out it was the original crown of thorns.
But, kidding aside, you don't want to punish the kids because their parents are a'holes. Life will do that entirely too much to them...
If there are a lot of very young kids and parents on drugs, I'm sure it wouldn't take very long for something to happen to call protective services on them...At that age practically just playing outside unsupervised would warrant a visit by them.
i have 2 vicious dog....corgis (grin); but as far as these kids and parents are concerned they will think that my furkids are vicious ...ie i will not let them near my furkids and say that they bite...as for anything else...i hope to god i will not need any ....i also thought about our sprinkler system....like turning it on when the kids get on our yard.....; other than that i am a lover not a fighter...; i hope that they will just leave us alone...but i have alot of ammo from this thread...thanks so much:)
The Texas Bull Nettle is a perennial.
I suggest motion activated camera's, prickly pear & agave in pots attached to near the top of the fence.
....a funny update..
it is suppossed to rain here for 2 or 3 days....so last night when i got home i wanted to get some plants planted b4 the rain....so at 9 pm hubby and i are out in the yard with a flashlight digging holes and planting....WELL, who walks by?
i bet they are on some website with their friends ....the thread is titled...treeehugger nutcase lives next door!!...i
couldnt help but think about yall and chuckle
LouC is right about what he said...you do NOT have to put up with this.
Find out who owns the property and who(if anyone) is managing it FOR them, and go after THEM.
Another avenue to consider is this: Keep a written log of what goes on in that house as far as the parents being on drugs, or neglectful etc., and contact Child Protective Services in your area. I realize this is hard to do, but just be "observant" and make lots of notes on paper, with dates and times. If you call Child Protective Services often enough, they WILL come out and do something about it...eventually.
Unfortunately, the kids are the product of their environment and the victims of their stupid parents' shortcomings. Making a good relationship with the kids is a good positive way to try to thwart what may be coming. Unless these kids are "too far gone" , they might listen to a kind, non threatening adult like yourself and you husband.
You might have to "bite the bullett" for a while, but if it works, you've done more for the kids than their parents will ever do.
I would DEFINITELY steer away from anything that can physically hurt the kids, as this can come back to haunt you later on, and end up biting you in the backside.
Get your neighbors to side with you and have them keep records of the goings on as well...then if need be, you could file a case against the owner or manager. There IS safety in numbers.
Keep us posted!
JD
I feel for you, we have several rental houses in our neighborhood. The homeowners here are a good bunch, and two or three of the renters are good neighbors, but a fair number of the renters are the sort of neighbors you don't want--never mow, leave trash piled on front porch, have illegal type mufflers on the vehicles, loud bass boom box cars, let dogs run free (I picked one dog up and packed him off to the Humane Society shelter and the owner had to go retrieve him), drink, fight, etc. I call 911 on a regular basis when they get too loud (outside at 4am, leaving a party, drunk and yelling curse words and worse...) or fight (the worst offenders finally broke up--thank goodness-- once three different homeowners called the police on them at the same time when they started throwing furniture out the front door during a fight) or disturb the peace in any way. I reported one neighbor to CPS for leaving her toddlers outside unsupervised. I've called about residents riding 3 wheelers and quads through the alleys. I've reported unmown lawns to code enforcement (in our town, the grass must be 10 inches high before they are in violation). And so forth. The police are good about coming and sometimes it does help.
I got fed up with things last year and did some research. If this summer turns out like last summer, I will be taking some landlords to small claims court and suing them for having tennants who interfere with my "quiet enjoyment" of my property. I'm done with talking to the tennants. It can be dangerous and usually doesn't get you anywhere. You have to make the landlords lives miserable by harassing them with letters and court appearances and reports to code enforcement, etc., so they quit renting homes to these lowlifes. If you can get the other homeowners in your neighbor to complain to the landlords and take them to court also, that's all to the good.
Don't know about the laws in TX, but I think the right to "quiet enjoyment" of your property is a long-standing and widespread right. Good luck with your situation.
Edited to correct typos.
This message was edited May 2, 2007 1:05 PM
This message was edited May 2, 2007 8:50 PM
The most devious and underhanded way of dealing with the problem would be to make friends with the kids. They might absorb any attention you give them and probably would become pests, wanting to talk and help you anytime you are outside. More than one way to grow a garden!