Is there a way to keep the neighborhood brats from playing in my yard?

Question

My neighbor's kids play in my front yard all the time. I'm tired of it because they don't ask my stepson to come out and play. Every time I catch them I tell them to leave. Now my wife is involved and she talked to the neighbor mom about it, and she called my wife a bi**h and that her kids can play wherever they so choose. The way I look at it, if one of them gets hurt in my yard, they could sue me, so I should have a say if they can play in my yard. Should I call the cops the next time they're in my yard or just take out a 7 iron and aim?

Answer 1

Put up a fence... best way to keep them out... and if they climb a fence to get in.. it gives you more sway with the cops.

I like the 7 iron idea.. but do you have a shovel and room for the bodies??? Brownies are a good idea... but drugs can be traced.

Seriously though... i would use a wedge or maybe a 3 Wood depending on the size of the yard.

Answer 2

Your biggest concern should be the liability in case the kids get hurt. You need legal defense. Put up signs. Email your complaint to the cops and print out their replies as evidence though likely the cops won't do anything. In the event you get sued, at least you can prove to the court the kids' trespassing and their parents' incooperation. You can also turn on sprinklers whenever they come in. Better off, install motion-sensor to turn on sprinklers automatically. I know it sucks that you have to go thru all this although it's your property but you must make sure you are covered.

Answer 3

yea call the cops to come take away the bad bad children who have the audacity to play in your yard and if they don't go quietly then excessive force should be used. That is what the police force is there for to make sure the yards of citizens are kept free of playing children. However, maybe the real question should have been how do I bring these children and my stepson together so they can all play.

Answer 4

Go to the local Cabellas, or whatever, and get some bear traps to set in the yard. They'll get the idea. Just hide them before any cop sees them. A BB to the buttockel area sends a message, too. Just keep a real gun handy for the parents JIC.

Answer 5

My mom put fake snakes in her yard, the kids were young enough that they scared them away. If they are old enough to know better, call the cops. But first try no trespassing signs. These kids should know to respect your property and to stay off it if you don't want them on it. Unless their mother wants to pay the property tax. Check out your local statutes to see exactally what your rights are.

Answer 6

I had this problem once. I talked to the neighbors about it but it didn't do any good. I got sick of having my flowers and bushes ruined so I had a 3 foot high chain link fence installed on my side of the property line. End of problem.

Answer 7

In my opinion, your neighbor's wife is wrong to say that her kids can play wherever they want. Your property is your property and you can allow or disallow whomever you want from being there. I would shoo the brats off and tell them that they are not allowed to play there, period.

Answer 8

barbed wire or a really mean rottweiler. those pesky kids wont be playing in your yard again after bunch or stitches or a face that is scarred for life by dogs teeth.

Answer 9

Put in an invisible electric fence. That's teach the little bastards. Also make some brownies for the parents and put in plenty of laxatives.

Answer 10

just get a dog
fence of you yard ,put a gate on it
it is all in your hands
but it is silly to have war with the neighbours
better negotiate