OT: Need advice - country living

It just shows to me that even though we love our vintage tractors, that we care way more about our families and the protection of others families.

I wish the very best to you in your very difficult situation. Take care of your family.

Jay

At least two years, and he's simply stayed with peeping. This will sound strange, but that's actually a good thing. He's a very mild type then.

Don't get yourself too much into a lather over his having been scared off by your wife thinking she saw him in the window. That's *far* different then what you did when you saw him. The former probably only made him gasp, your pursuit on the other hand would have been truly frightening to him.

So he will probably lay low for a while, perhaps even some months. Most likely, he will be back eventually. This means you're probably going to have to work a bit on keeping the neighbors vigilant in their watch.

You've also got to decide if you want to catch him, or deter him. The approach is very different for the two. Outdoor dogs, guinea fowl, motion lights and such are all good deterents, but defeat attempts to catch him.

Personally, I would recommend deterence, but I do understand the desire to capture. Remember though, if you want to catch something or some one, you have to have bait, and a trap. You'll need both of them.

It is easy for people here to say, "get a gun, shoot-shovel-shutup, whatever.... I own quite a collection of guns, and have used guns to deter several people (some real bad dudes and some not so bad) from trespassing my property. I have never had to shoot anyone (yet)! Something to consider even more is the emotional after-effects of using deadly force. Even hardened law enforcement officials have trouble dealing with the memories and thought of having to take a life.... it IS NOT a joking matter! Or something to take lightly!!!

Since the cops don't seem interested in doing anything. Go to the D.A. or the State Police.... raise a royal fuss!!! Also tell as many neighbors as you can about the situation. Get them involved!!! They will be more on gaurd about writing license plate numbers and watching for suspicious vehicles.

I use a "high quality" trail camera for photographing wildlife. A good camera (stay away from the cheapo cameras like from "Wal-Mart" {puke!}) ....a good quality trail camera will only cost about what a shotgun costs. Many will stay activated for up to 2 weeks (as opposed to the cheapies who's batteries last only a couple days). They can be set to activate 24 hours a day and they also can have anti-theft devices made for them. I have seen pictures of people that were caught on camera and never knew they were being photographed. They are heat sensor activated!

Use caution, stay safe, think, stay vigilant, be ready.... as for guns... I enjoy guns greatly, I keep some loaded (shotguns, high powered rifles and handguns) for emergencies like shooting wild dogs, but I truly pray that I NEVER have to shoot a person!

(I have a suspicion that someone is stealing gas from my mowing tractors at one of my sheds... we will see what "developes!")

You might check your state law, but I would not EVER advise someone to shoot anyone unless you had a real, reasonable fear that the suspect was going to kill or very seriously injure you or someone else at that moment, and also that there was no other alternative. If you shoot someone, there WILL be legal repurcussions. And hiding a body would only make you more likely to go to prison. Believe it.....

I have some experience with mace and also OC, aka pepper spray. I used these substances several times and never succeeded in spraying another person without also spraying myself to some degree. They hurt and make your eyes water so bad that you might very well be out of the situation. Nonlethal, but in my opinion, not a real good solution. And the keychain size is a joke: not enough power to do anything but make a real bad mess in a pocket or purse.

Motion sensor security lights can help, especially if they are mounted high enough that they cannot easily be disassembled. It is also possible to wire them so they make a noise to alert you that they have been tripped. But they don't work in the daytime unless you cover the photocell.

A fence might help. It really tears a guy up to run into a barb wire fence or to try to get over or through it quickly while being chased. Another deterrant.

I would not suggest vandalizing a car that you think might be the suspect's. And blocking it in might escalate things to a real confrontation. Get the license number, if possible. And if you feel that you HAVE to disable a suspect vehicle, you would be surprised how easily tubeless tire valve stems come out of a rim with a pair of pliers or how quickly you can clip them with a pair of side cutters. And if you are wrong about the vehicle, it isn't too expensive to fix the damage.

With any luck, you have scared this guy off with the actions you have already done. Be more alert, upgrade your security system and do some detective work. And keep on contacting the law enforcement agency--often the squeaky wheel gets the grease. And if you are unable to get any response from your local law enforcement, talk to the boss, or his boss, usually a county commissioner. The agency should be interested, as often a peeper will continue his behavior, maybe not at your place, but probably in the general area. Good luck!

Having said that...

I would have no problem shooting someone if they in the SLIGHTEST way threatened the well-being of my family. I think it would be much easier to deal with the questions, etc. later than it would be to deal with the guilt of "I should have" after it's too late.

All you'd be doing is escalating the event, and you're going to end up in jail. If it's worth it to you to go to jail, go for it. But understand what it is you keep on proposing.

Worse still, you're doing it in front of a bunch of witnesses. And believe me, when the cops take your friends into custody for interrogation, several of them will sing like birds against you to protect their hides.

By all means, do what you can to find out of this person is. Record it, turn it over to the cops, contact the DA, talk to a lawyer yourself.

But until you can quit talking Rambo trash, don't make an physical move yourself. All your doing is reacting and you're going to dig yourself into a hole you don't want to be in. After all, if you're in jail and he's on the street, just how safe is your wife going to be?

Remember to, you're seeing a lot of absolute ficticious posturing in this thread. There are those that do, and those that talk, they are never the same. Don't forget that and accidently get revved up by the garbage being pumped out here by some.

A week ago a couple of kids where driving around in Philidelphia(?) shooting at people with a paint ball gun. After shooting at some kids playing in a park they drive by a STREET GANG and took a shot or two, the street gang returned fire with a couple 9MMs and shot up the car. Both kids where treated and released from a local hospital.

I agree, Jeff should investigate the trespass laws in his area and approach the local cops with a prosecution in mind.

Mahalo,
Howard

I agree with everyone who has said get a dog. There are many good breeds that make great pets but will defend their house till death (German Shepards, Rotwieller even Collies). I have a rotty mixed mut and I have no worries about my wife as long as the dog is with her, that mut would fight to the death to protect my wife or me.

Second, if you want to CATCH this guy out smart him. Use Randy's idea below, set up a video camera aimed at the location he like to peep from. Have your wife follow her usual routine, but you get up 2-3 hours early and get a good spot that you can see him and not be seen yourself. If you can, wait in site of where he was parking the car. After he arrives flatten all 4 tires, call the cops from a cell phone (optional if you are more vigilanty) and then sneak up behind him where he is peeping from. I would suggest you be carrying a piece of wood (for the fire of course) or a tool or board (that you were just about to use) just in case he has a knife or something.

Now if you want to do the legal thing the cops are on the way and you have subdued the criminal. If you "forgot" to call the cops, the criminal will certainly get a lesson in leaving your family alone.

Nolan is correct. You need to think long and hard before moving to a firearm as a solution to your problem as you state it. I am not saying it should be that way...it just is in most states today, especially with a lot of lawyers, judges and prosecutors who are anti-gun to begin with. In my state, a fairly conservative one, even pulling a firearm on someone with no intent of firing is "brandishing a deadly weapon". That is a criminal offense that could land YOU behind bars for a long time (7-1/2 to 15 yrs) if the scum or his family pushes the right legal buttons.

In most jurisdictions today, trying to scare someone with a firearm is considered an inappropriate action unless your (or your family's) personal safety is legitimately threatened. My suggestion on the firearm is never pull it unless you know your safety is in immediate danger. And then be prepared to use it to KILL the perpetrator. Period. No scaring. No shooting over their head. The use of deadly force is just that. DEADLY. Don't misuse it or YOU could be the one in prison.

Rod

Like it or not, this fella did nothing to endanger you, your wife, or your kid(s). Peeping Tom? Yes. But there were no acts of violence, and not even a hint of a threat towards you or yours.

A good dog is probably the best single item you could purchase right now. Even a house dog would do well, as they can be let out of the door and run a whole lot faster then a human can. Just make sure you buy a good family dog, not some deranged junk yard guard dog.

Pepper spray is nice, but make sure you buy it concentrated enough to work, powerfull enough to spray some distance, and large enough to spray a long time. Those big $30 cans are nice. At that, the person has to be able to get to the pepper spray, know how to use it, and be willing to use it. All three rarely come together. You'll need a couple of cans for practice.

As you've already been told, act, don't react.

my point is this....even if they cant do anything about it this time....next time there is proof that you have had a previous problem.

As for a a firearm being to dangerous to have in the home lets have a short review of everyday dangers involving more risk then an accidental shooting:

You are infinitely more likely to be killed in a car accident then a gun accident.

Your risk are much greater of drowning in a pool then an accidental shooting.

Your risks are even greater of medical misadventure (doctor malpractice) then an accidental shooting.

Even the risk of being killed by your old tractor are greater then an accidental shooting.

I hope you the best and hope you don't have to go to that extreme but sometimes a warped mind has no other cure. Best of luck keeping your family safe.

I would also post some NO TRESPASS signs in accordance with local statutes to provide some type of legal snare. I would also take a day or two off from work to just "hang out".

If you see him sneaking around shoot at him. If he acts threatening or is stealing drill him. I found that my dogs (3) keeps most folks at bay.

"Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again".

Here in Texas, if he's trespassing (and there are guidlines on posting 'No Trespassing' signs, a purple diamond suffices for a 'No Trespassing' sign, as well)... See above.

Good luck.

Steve

Change your schedule. Get up an hour or two sooner than normal and go for a drive up and down your road. If you find the vehicle you chased, flatten all the tires, go home and call the cops.

And put some blinds in the bathroom!!

Blinds on your windows are a good idea too..