Respect private property! Trespassing, mischief, and vandalism.

[trevj]

It's quite the stretch comparing damaging/stealing a vehicle to some guy leaving ruts in some dirt to try and gain access to land.

I would say you're completely naive in regards to how police actually handle stuff like this and the possible repercussions the landowner might face for having someone charged for practically doing nothing. He'd never be able to leave anything on that property as the guy would likely try to get even despite the fact he is in the wrong. Only next time he'd know to cover his face and not go through the main gate....he knows there's cameras there.

What should happen (what you describe) and what actually happens (what I describe) are two completely different things.

How is it a stretch? I know full well that getting a car or truck unlocked in a parking lot, can actually be done without damage to that vehicle. Locksmiths, repo dudes, etc., do it a lot. Hell, I have done it, when I locked my own damn keys inside my truck!

So you think that a guy that only "tries" to break in, should be left alone, since he actually didn't manage?

Not so naive, either. Each of the incidents we have had, we make sure that a File Number has been provided to us, and we follow up with the officers involved. Small town, they don't seem to mind the change of pace.

 

[Suther]

Yes, it appears I was talking outta my arse!

And it baffles the hells outta me, why I was so certain. Dunno. Not that it changes anything for us here, with both signs and fencing.

I feel dumber now! LOL! Deservedly, for sure!

Nah, you're smarter now, because now you know! Lol

 

[Waterfowler]

come on guys, cancel culture is not my thing.

for all we know he thought it was public land, (as guys do put private signs up sometimes)

getting someone ####ed over, over a possible misunderstanding, with no real harm done, isn't cool either.

I have put forward a police report, and worded it as superficial damage. I am happy to leave it here provided no further issues.



Had actual theft occurred, or physical damage to my possessions, or trespassing further than my barrier, happened, I would pursue further.

But for now, my boundary is intact.

..............

 

[DVXDUDE]

I assume since he didn't succeed, He will come back with better tools for the job. That's what happened when we lost our $10,000 diesel generator.

Someone tried getting into the generator shack and didn't make it, We figured it was kids screwing around.

2 weeks later they got it! I bet they spent 4hours cutting the generator free, must of had a helluva piece of machinery to load it up. If we would have done more the first time we noticed someone tampering with our camp, We might still have our stuff. They found our boat and motor in the bush too.

 

[trevj]

Nah, you're smarter now, because now you know! Lol

Well, yeah. But I still feel dumber for having to have my nose rubbed in it! LOL! Thanks! The price of an education, is sometimes that you look the fool in Public.

Like I say, I now have to really consider where I picked up the bad info. Am wondering if it was the Hunting Regs wording, that got me thinking BC had jumped on board, as several of the Provinces have recently.

 

[trevj]

I assume since he didn't succeed, He will come back with better tools for the job. That's what happened when we lost our $10,000 diesel generator.

Someone tried getting into the generator shack and didn't make it, We figured it was kids screwing around.

2 weeks later they got it! I bet they spent 4hours cutting the generator free, must of had a helluva piece of machinery to load it up. If we would have done more the first time we noticed someone tampering with our camp, We might still have our stuff. They found our boat and motor in the bush too.

Yep. Cordless angle grinder and a couple zip disks, will get you past almost anything.

And any deed that goes un-reacted to, just tells the lower life forms that you don't care all that much, and that they are free to steal from you!

 

[the spank]

Short of submitting a police report, which I did. Why should I go after someone personally?

The guy spent 5-10 minutes parked at the front of my property, and less than a minute messing around with my chain.

he didn't appear to cross the boundary, did not damage anything but dirt, and may not ever be back.

He might not have known that the property there was indeed private.

And I have his plate, possible employer, and photos.



Perhaps I have a cooler head, but don't mistake my demeanor.

My question about what should I do, netted me some factors to consider, such as:

- what if there are other incidents in the area?
- what if there are future incidents at my property?
- how many of these issues don't have faces/plates, but wish they did.
etc.

I was more or less happy that nothing was seriously damaged, or that they didn't cut my trees, damage my stands, or steal my stuff.


But asking the question brought other input in, and ultimately changed my decision.

I had considered logging this with my computer, and keeping it for myself should more issues arise.

Is it worth going to someone's employer over some tire marks in the dirt? would it escalate the possible damage to my property? vehicle parked there? etc?

I dont think so.

If I have future issues, depending on severity, I might follow up... To have words with someone I suspect.

but as it stands, I am not scorching the earth on someone that effectively drove on my curb, and looked at my chain.

^^^ This is the same mentality as our court system and we all know how that is working out.

An ounce of prevention may prevent a future occurrence you need to follow up on. Myself I'd nip it in the butt NOW but to each his own.

 

[stubblejumper]

^^^ This is the same mentality as our court system and we all know how that is working out.

An ounce of prevention may prevent a future occurrence you need to follow up on. Myself I'd nip it in the butt NOW but to each his own.

I would press charges now, and set up more hidden cams in case the piece of crap returns.

 

[the spank]

I would press charges now, and set up more hidden cams in case the piece of crap returns.

Same.

 

[Cocked&Locked]

You have a licence plate, send it to the OPP

And they will promptly do...absolutely nothing.

Last police dealing I had was a car stolen from our front yard. The would not do anything about that either. A few days later I got a call from a towing company that it was recovered crashed in a ditch.
The lazy and unaccountable police didn't even call us about the recovery.

 

[canadian hunter312]

How is it a stretch? I know full well that getting a car or truck unlocked in a parking lot, can actually be done without damage to that vehicle. Locksmiths, repo dudes, etc., do it a lot. Hell, I have done it, when I locked my own damn keys inside my truck!

So you think that a guy that only "tries" to break in, should be left alone, since he actually didn't manage?

Not so naive, either. Each of the incidents we have had, we make sure that a File Number has been provided to us, and we follow up with the officers involved. Small town, they don't seem to mind the change of pace.

There’s an enormous difference between someone trying to gain access to land and breaking into a vehicle. It’s a forest, not your home or vehicle.

It would be different if the guy broke the chain to gain access and ended up breaking into a cabin or stealing stuff. Like I said, not worth the potential risk of having the police go after the guy. I speak from personal experience as the only time I was hard handed with trespassers it resulted in an outboard, generator, trolling motor and a bunch of other crap stolen the following weekend. The 5-6 times I was somewhat nice to trespassers? Nothing.


Likely has something to do with our locations as well. Being so close to the GTA and large city centres seems to be a big issue.


Don’t get me wrong, I believe our justice system is way to easy on crooks. But a weak attempt at breaking a chain isn’t worth the headache.

 

[Daver_II]

There’s an enormous difference between someone trying to gain access to land and breaking into a vehicle. It’s a forest, not your home or vehicle.

It would be different if the guy broke the chain to gain access and ended up breaking into a cabin or stealing stuff. Like I said, not worth the potential risk of having the police go after the guy. I speak from personal experience as the only time I was hard handed with trespassers it resulted in an outboard, generator, trolling motor and a bunch of other crap stolen the following weekend. The 5-6 times I was somewhat nice to trespassers? Nothing.


Likely has something to do with our locations as well. Being so close to the GTA and large city centres seems to be a big issue.


Don’t get me wrong, I believe our justice system is way to easy on crooks. But a weak attempt at breaking a chain isn’t worth the headache.

While I partially agree with what you are saying.

However for arguments sake let's pretend that another hunter on the next concession over catches a guy driving a black dodge ram stealing from or threatening him... however he doesn't get a photo or a plate.

Now my little report might give the police a person of interest.

Or if they have reports from previous years and this guy is up to old tricks in violation of his conditions....


Now I was nice and in the report stated that he didn't break in, and the damage was superficial... so likely nothing will come of it if there is nothing else reported... but what if?

 

[saskcop]

Report him. He should be charged and placed on conditions to go nowhere near you or your property. Dicks like this need to be charged.

 

[0faustus0]

Lol .... our police departments are overwhelmed with reports ....

They only take actions if serious damage was done .... and I am talking here about a 5 figure amount. Otherwise the case is just closed .... that's it! They don't have the manpower or the willingness to do more. Nobody will investigate anything below a 5 figure amount ....

You are lucky if you have a connection within the police department and to get things moving ...

That is at least my experience in eastern Ontario ...

You are on your own ... and to figure out ways to discourage potential trespassers ..... and to prosecute trespassers/thieves/vandalists yourself with your lawyer ... and on your own expense and risk ....

In short ... learn from the experience ... protect your property ... and move on ...

 

[Dukester]

Well handled Daver and great pics.

As an aside , anyone can get owner info from a plate in Ontario for less than $20. No address , just the RO's name.