What can I do about frequent tresspasser?

Question

There is a middle school age kid who constantly gets into my garage. I've asked him to leave, and he either won't, or he will but throws stuff (my stuff) in the process, kicks my car, etc. He has stolen a whole bunch of stuff from my garage which I went to his house and got back. His grandparents say they'll say something to them but it's the same old stuff. He's broken into many houses in this neighborhood. Noone will call the cops cause he has 'special needs'. He knows what wrong and right are, clearly. He tells me I can't tell him what to do, it's my husband's house and not mine. (?) I have to open my garage door at times, my children have bikes to get out, gardening, etc. He is so mean and threatening. Any ideas?

Thanks. One child has already been taken from the home and his 16 and 18 year older sisters admit to being afraid of him. I guess I will have to call the police. (And I'm not totally sure I buy the special needs defense.)

Answer 1

I don't know how old he is, but he is violating the law. Contact the Police,and if necessary, sign a complaint. You live in the house, so you are in charge.

Answer 2

My friend had a similar problem. A neighborhood crackhead, who also had special needs, of sorts, kept trespassing on his property. Returnable bottles were the typical object of theft, although anything was up for grabs. On one occasion, five landscaping paving stones were stolen. What exactly that was all about, I'd like to know.

So, my friend, being worried that the thief would eventually break into his garage and steal more valuable possessions, called the cops for information, not action.

Please note, the house in question was in Detroit.

He asked the police if he could just shoot him, because they would never respond in time to catch him.

The officer told him no, but that he would be withing his rights to subdue the intruder with physical violence, and restrain him, like by tying him up, until the police arrived. The officer on the phone then added, "But you can't be wailing on him when we pull up."

Now, I admit, that this is a obscenely excessive example. Tresspassing, theft, and vandalism, however, are still criminal offenses, and ignorance of the law is not a justification for breaking it, no matter one's mental state.

You are going to have to do what you think you need to to handle the situation, because no one else seems to want to confront the issue. This kid may have problems, but it has been my experience that sweeping them under the rug will only make matters worse. He is going to have to learn some hard lessons in life, sooner or later.

If you have already talked to the boy's family, then it seems that calling the police would be the next step. File a complaint, get something on record. Maybe a trip to the station might open up the young man's eyes. Just be sure to tell your husband that he can't be whompin' on him when the squad car pulls up.

Answer 3

Start out by having something to document everything that is happening and what you are doing, with date and time. Next call your police department and place a complaint, nothing takes place, call the child welfare department in your town with your problem. Next inform the grandparents that you are asking that they help to correct this problem. If you find no one to help correct this problem, I know you said he was a special needs kid, have your husband close the garage door with him in the garage and give him a good old down home I told you to stay out of my garage type treatment. Your husband can't do it, I'm sure there is someone in that town or neighborhood that can do it for him. Are you waiting until he sets fire to your house before you or someone does something. Special needs is just a way out of not doing anything to correct the problems. Act now before the problems get bigger and someone get hurt or dies because of this kid.

Answer 4

I have had a similar experience with a neighborhood kid. He has broken into my home and taken alot of items too. Then he acts in a threatening way and his behavior is so bad somebody hd to stop him from attacking me once. He is 15 going on 16 and I have been told about all the problems he causes. But that doesn't change the situation for me at all. I've spoken to his parent but his mother is so crazy I won't speak to her at all. She's probably the reason he is the way he is. So you could make a complaint and ask for an order of protection against him. Don't let him get away with it and that's why is continuing to do it, because he knows he can get away with it. So put an end to it once and for all. Don't let the neighborhood be in the right by not doing anything about it.

Answer 5

Call the cops and ask what to do. Put a surveillance camera in the garage and show the cops what he is doing (be sure to post a sign that you are using a surveillance video). Let the parents/ grandparents know that you really don't want to but are prepared (as a last resort) to take legal action against the child if he doesn't stop.

Answer 6

Report this to the police I don't care how "special needs" he is if he is not made to suffer the consequences of his actions he will only grow up to be a criminal. It is because he is allowed to get by with this that he continues to do it. This is ridiculous that an entire neighborhood has to be terrorized by a juvenile that sounds like he needs a sound spanking and some discipline. You have the right to protect yourself, your children and your property pepper spray his *** next time you find him in your garage and then call the police.

Answer 7

Call the police. This is not a trespass it is a Burglary! A felony!

At the least, call the police so they can try some intervention by taking him home, writing reports and documenting it. IF you don't want to press charges at first, that is your option.. .But after the initial contact with the police, if he does it ever again, he needs to get into the system.

Maybe he needs a mental tune up, maybe he is just a career criminal in the making... either way, call the police and let them deal with it!

That is what we are here for!

Answer 8

If he is entering your garage and taking your things, you should be the one calling the police, not relying on others to do so. Most likely, you will be the one who would have to file a report as you would be the victim. Even if you are not going to file a criminal complaint/report, they should be able to talk with you and whoever is going into your garage and taking your things. Good luck and I hope you are able to resolve this!

Answer 9

special needs or not, you need to get the police...he's on your property in your garage trashing things, his grandparents should do something about him, he is their responsibility, put more locks on your garage, secure the windows if there is any and if he comes back call the police, this needs to be stopped...he's threatening you, so that says something about him, what's he gonna do next....no, i would be getting the police for real...where are his parents?

Answer 10

Why don't YOU call the cops? Or better yet, call the Department of Child Welfare services. I would report whoever this kids guardians are. There is no way I would put up with such garbage. I would have a restraining order drawn up if nothing else.

Answer 11

Get a German Shepherd, Doberman, or Rottweiler. Not to be mean, but perhaps a guard dog will help this 'special kid' realize that he needs to respect your property. Besides, if you don't find a solution, who knows what this kid will do next. He might set your house on fire or harm you or your kids someway. Try getting a guard dog, though!