People putting Christmas lights on my exterior light post.

[Vikingjunior]

So someone arbitrarily put Christmas lights on my exterior light post which is on my property. They managed to break the cover on the light post and it was just left on the front lawn. I don’t care where they put Christmas decorations in The Villages but they got some nerve sticking it on my property and breaking my light post cover.

[xkeowner]

Take them down and into your house. See who comes to get them back or complains first.

[Bogie Shooter]

So someone arbitrarily put Christmas lights on my exterior light post which is on my property. They managed to break the cover on the light post and it was just left on the front lawn. I don’t care where they put Christmas decorations in The Villages but they got some nerve sticking it on my property and breaking my light post cover.

Who are you inferring to when you say “ they put Christmas decorations in The Villages”?

[Bjeanj]

File a police report. Damage to property and trespass.

[ColdNoMore]

Take them down and into your house. See who comes to get them back or complains first.

Yep. :thumbup:

[BobnBev]

I can't imagine anybody doing something like that, is there more to the story? Got to be.

[Vikingjunior]

I can't imagine anybody doing something like that, is there more to the story? Got to be.

There is nothing more to the story I came home from the store and Christmas lights were plugged into my light post and the broken light cover was left on the front lawn. It seems they put these lights on everyone’s light post on my block except for 2 houses.

I think I’ll do what was suggested and take them down and put them in my house and see who comes to get them. They can have them back when they fix my light post cover.

[coffeebean]

Is this light post located on an easement and is a street light? I can not imagine anyone putting Christmas lights on the light posts that have the sign with the home owner's names on it.

[KSSunshine]

Just ask a neighbor who put theirs on. Someone knows; and, you most likely won't find out on TOTV.

[Bay Kid]

They will be back to get their lights in a few weeks.

[graciegirl]

There is nothing more to the story I came home from the store and Christmas lights were plugged into my light post and the broken light cover was left on the front lawn. It seems they put these lights on everyone’s light post on my block except for 2 houses.

I think I’ll do what was suggested and take them down and put them in my house and see who comes to get them. They can have them back when they fix my light post cover.


I feel there is an important part of this story you have left out. IF you live in The Villages, the first persons to call is your local law enforcement. That is more than trespassing, that is vandalism. Time for you to ask Santa for an easily installed camera on the front of your home.

I read back on your posts and you say you live in a Courtyard Villa. Here is a picture of some Courtyard Villa's I found on Bing. Did your street decide to light up using the same colors or something??? Did someone you KNOW of put lights on your light post WITHOUT your knowledge and permission?

WHY don't you ask the other neighbors who had lights put up??????

[Marathon Man]

There is nothing more to the story I came home from the store and Christmas lights were plugged into my light post and the broken light cover was left on the front lawn. It seems they put these lights on everyone’s light post on my block except for 2 houses.

I think I’ll do what was suggested and take them down and put them in my house and see who comes to get them. They can have them back when they fix my light post cover.

Hold on a minute. Clearly, one of your neighbors has done this. Is this your first year in this home? Is this done every year as a tradition? There is more to the story.

Why not talk to your neighbors instead of going on line?

[njbchbum]

Is this light post located on an easement and is a street light? I can not imagine anyone putting Christmas lights on the light posts that have the sign with the home owner's names on it.

Do the Villages street lights on easements have plugs so that something can be plugged into them - and are they at a height that could easily be reached from the ground? My local community has such plugs for seasonal lighting in the town space, but the plugs are more than 12 feet off of the ground.

[Vikingjunior]

I feel there is an important part of this story you have left out. IF you live in The Villages, the first persons to call is your local law enforcement. That is more than trespassing, that is vandalism. Time for you to ask Santa for an easily installed camera on the front of your home.

I read back on your posts and you say you live in a Courtyard Villa. Here is a picture of some Courtyard Villa's I found on Bing. Did your street decide to light up using the same colors or something??? Did someone you KNOW of put lights on your light post WITHOUT your knowledge and permission?

WHY don't you ask the other neighbors who had lights put up??????

I’m not usually here around the holidays so I imagine they do this every year. Anyone who knows me would never put Christmas lights on my property without my permission. Again I would’ve not mind the Christmas lights even though I don’t celebrate the holiday but they broke my light post and left the cover on the lawn.

It’s not a big deal but I was just trying to find out if they have any authority to place Christmas lights on people’s property. I don’t think they were intentionally malicious but if you break someone’s light post cover at least fix it.

[Two Bills]

Even if the light point was within the Easement area, I can't believe that any part of Easement Regs. allow any Tom, Dick or Harry to stick lights on your property without notification.

[billethkid]

Still not enough of the story to tell whether there is a "violation" of any kind.

Like many others, I cannot imagine anybody singling out a lamp post and decorating it....if it truly is a yard lamp, on the residents property, in front of their house.

There is more to the story to be heard/seen/etc.

[Patzy]

Exactly. Surely you can talk with your neighbors to find out.

[Vikingjunior]

Still not enough of the story to tell whether there is a "violation" of any kind.

Like many others, I cannot imagine anybody singling out a lamp post and decorating it....if it truly is a yard lamp, on the residents property, in front of their house.

There is more to the story to be heard/seen/etc.

I mentioned already that all the houses on my block except for 2 has these lights on their light post, I wasn’t singled out.

I do find it funny that some think there’s some side story. LOL.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

If you are like me and exclusively use the garage to enter and exit the house, you may have missed a note left at your front entrance.

[bilcon]

:ohdear::ohdear:How about...hi neighbor, wow what a great tradition. Who can I thank for putting the lights up. Got YA! Sounds like this is your first year in the house. No excuse for breaking your light or not telling you they are putting up lights. Hard to imagine , unless you are out of the loop.

[OhioBuckeye]

So someone arbitrarily put Christmas lights on my exterior light post which is on my property. They managed to break the cover on the light post and it was just left on the front lawn. I don’t care where they put Christmas decorations in The Villages but they got some nerve sticking it on my property and breaking my light post cover.

VIKINGJUNIOR, sounds like someone doesn't like you for some reason.

[OhioBuckeye]

Even if the light point was within the Easement area, I can't believe that any part of Easement Regs. allow any Tom, Dick or Harry to stick lights on your property without notification.

I really can't believe it was a neighbor they surely would of known where their property line was. I think someone just had an issue with them, that's to bad. A neighbor would of been to obvious!

[riamd1954]

That’s pretty rude you should notify whoever is in charge

[graciegirl]

VIKINGJUNIOR, sounds like someone doesn't like you for some reason.

WHY would you think that folks didn't like him?

There are two things we need to know. What is the theme or reason that others have lights? Who had the balls to decorate someone's property without their permission?

And does the OP KNOW who broke his light???? There are many here in The Villages if they knew where the OP lived could help him replace the broken light.

[Marathon Man]

So. It is now 11.17 am. This discussion continues on line with no knowledge of who or why, even though that information could be obtained.

HEY VIKING. HAVE YOU TALKED TO YOUR NEIGHBORS YET?

[Bogie Shooter]

I’m not usually here around the holidays so I imagine they do this every year. Anyone who knows me would never put Christmas lights on my property without my permission. Again I would’ve not mind the Christmas lights even though I don’t celebrate the holiday but they broke my light post and left the cover on the lawn.

It’s not a big deal but I was just trying to find out if they have any authority to place Christmas lights on people’s property. I don’t think they were intentionally malicious but if you break someone’s light post cover at least fix it.

Still not talking to your neighbors?

[asianthree]

Since OP is normally not here on holidays, they would have no idea. For me it’s about the broken light. If the CYVs decorate during holidays, and while putting up the lights, broke the lamp they should have notified the owner. Apologized, and offered to fix it. Op stated all post of all houses except for 2 had lights. The lights are not the problem as much as they broke her light, which may not be able to be replaced as original.

We had a neighbor at our first house that didn’t like the way our bushes were trimmed by our lawn guy. (He did a step down cut that we loved) she however didn’t like it, had her guy come and trim our bushes, and sent us a bill.
You can’t make this stuff up. We called the guy asked why he was cutting our bushes. We then informed him we were not paying him, he apologized and was told we wanted to hire him per this neighbor.

[Velvet]

Unbelievable! Good thing you said “our first” house. I hope you have better neighbors now. There is someone I met in TV who got run out of their neighborhood. I could see why too. The entire neighborhood was not pleased with them.

[OhioBuckeye]

WHY would you think that folks didn't like him?

There are two things we need to know. What is the theme or reason that others have lights? Who had the balls to decorate someone's property without their permission?

And does the OP KNOW who broke his light???? There are many here in The Villages if they knew where the OP lived could help him replace the broken light.
You kinda made my point graciegirl. Maybe, just maybe they said they hated Xmas or made a bad comment about someone’s love one so they decided to do this to them. Someone had the balls to do it, didn’t they? So if I was a good friend of the person, why would I do this? I see what you’re saying graciegirl, but having the balls to do this to a friend would take a lot of balls, so that’s why I said what I did, & I wasn’t trying to be mean!

[OhioBuckeye]

WHY would you think that folks didn't like him?

There are two things we need to know. What is the theme or reason that others have lights? Who had the balls to decorate someone's property without their permission?

And does the OP KNOW who broke his light???? There are many here in The Villages if they knew where the OP lived could help him replace the broken light.
Maybe it was just a bunch of kids running around did this! To kids this probably would be funny.

[graciegirl]

Since OP is normally not here on holidays, they would have no idea. For me it’s about the broken light. If the CYVs decorate during holidays, and while putting up the lights, broke the lamp they should have notified the owner. Apologized, and offered to fix it. Op stated all post of all houses except for 2 had lights. The lights are not the problem as much as they broke her light, which may not be able to be replaced as original.

We had a neighbor at our first house that didn’t like the way our bushes were trimmed by our lawn guy. (He did a step down cut that we loved) she however didn’t like it, had her guy come and trim our bushes, and sent us a bill.
You can’t make this stuff up. We called the guy asked why he was cutting our bushes. We then informed him we were not paying him, he apologized and was told we wanted to hire him per this neighbor.

People need to ask or explain before they do something to someone else's property
or there will be at the very least, hard feelings..

[John_W]

Where were the lights plugged into? For the lights to operate they require an electric receptacle. On a CYV the only receptacle is on the front porch, which is across the driveway at least 30' from your lampost and you would have to drive over the cord.

[Marathon Man]

Where were the lights plugged into? For the lights to operate they require an electric receptacle. On a CYV the only receptacle is on the front porch, which is across the driveway at least 30' from your lampost and you would have to drive over the cord.

Two outlets located at the bottom of the post.

[John_W]

Two outlets located at the bottom of the post.

I read through all the posts to see if this was mentioned before I asked, and didn't see that, must of missed it. That would have to be an after-market installation because the lamposts don't come that way.

[Marathon Man]

Since OP is normally not here on holidays, they would have no idea. For me it’s about the broken light. If the CYVs decorate during holidays, and while putting up the lights, broke the lamp they should have notified the owner. Apologized, and offered to fix it. Op stated all post of all houses except for 2 had lights. The lights are not the problem as much as they broke her light, which may not be able to be replaced as original.

We had a neighbor at our first house that didn’t like the way our bushes were trimmed by our lawn guy. (He did a step down cut that we loved) she however didn’t like it, had her guy come and trim our bushes, and sent us a bill.
You can’t make this stuff up. We called the guy asked why he was cutting our bushes. We then informed him we were not paying him, he apologized and was told we wanted to hire him per this neighbor.

We don't know that an attempt was not made. It is becoming clear to me that the OP has no contact with his neighbors, and does not appear to want any.

[EdFNJ]

Two outlets located at the bottom of the post. Or maybe take off the cover unscrew the bulb and use one of those bulb socket adapters with a couple outlets on it which might possibly explain how it got broken ???

[asianthree]

Same thing happened to us but we didn't get the bill.

My husband takes great pride in our landscaping and trims all bushes himself. It is possible that some branches may have been past our property line by a few inches, but still. People need to ask or explain before they do something to someone else's property
or there will be at the very least, hard feelings..

The crazy lady as she was name by others, lived 3 doors down. If she didn’t like it she called people to fix it, and then had the bill sent to owners. She had the house next door power washed, because the owners were using the wrong company. So the name fits. She still lives there, but everyone 4 houses each side sold within 4 years.

[Marathon Man]

I read through all the posts to see if this was mentioned before I asked, and didn't see that, must of missed it. That would have to be an after-market installation because the lamposts don't come that way.

Or maybe take off the cover unscrew the bulb and use one of those bulb socket adapters with a couple outlets on it which might possibly explain how it got broken ???

Every post in my CYV neighborhood came with two outlets. One switches with the light, the other always on. Maybe only south of 466?

[graciegirl]

I doubt we will ever know exactly how this happened, but hopefully those who didn't ask permission and decorated someone's pole lamp have read this thread.

And maybe not.

Many people who forge ahead thinking that they are right and can overstep boundaries are not swayed by anything but (I can't spell this) Hoots-pah.

The opposite of which is caring and thinking of others.

[asianthree]

We don't know that an attempt was not made. It is becoming clear to me that the OP has no contact with his neighbors, and does not appear to want any.

Sorry, but when an OP asks for advice why do we always assume it’s not the whole story, or if you don’t have contact with your neighbors, why is that such a problem for posters on this forum. Looks like OP has chosen not to respond, may be due to some of the unkindly posts.

[Marathon Man]

Sorry, but when an OP asks for advice why do we always assume it’s not the whole story, or if you don’t have contact with your neighbors, why is that such a problem for posters on this forum. Looks like OP has chosen not to respond, may be due to some of the unkindly posts.

I just re-read the original post. There was no asking for advice. It was an airing of anger. He typed away before even trying to find out what happened. So, yea - There is most likely more to the story.

Advice was given by others (including me) that he should talk to his neighbors. He said that all the posts on his street, except two, were done. Would that not prompt a reasonable person to ask a neighbor? Especially considering that this is his first holiday in this home.

[redwitch]

Given what’s been said so far, sounds like the block lights their poles. Since the OP is usually not there at Xmas, odds are lights had been placed on his pole previously. While it is trespassing, I doubt any harm was meant and I’m sure the culprit honestly thought s/he was doing the right thing. However, breaking the cover and not offering to repair or replace it is inexcusable.

As was suggested, talk to your neighbors. I’m sure someone knows who the community decorator is. Then, you can go to that person, thank them for putting on the lights and let them know the cost of repairing the cover.

[John_W]

Every post in my CYV neighborhood came with two outlets. One switches with the light, the other always on. Maybe only south of 466?

I see Pike Electric ads in the Sun for installing those outlets in posts. Our CYV's were built in 2011 near Sterling Hgts Rec Center off St. Charles and the only outlet on our homes are on the front porch. Maybe that's why they broke the cover, to remove a bulb and install some sort of temporary outlet, just a guess.

[dillywho]

A neighbor in close proximity had a palm tree removed from their front yard WITHOUT their permission. A couple of guys in a white truck (no markings) showed up claiming to be "arborists of The Villages and were taking out diseased palm trees per orders". When asked, they could not furnish documentation or show/tell him what disease. The home owner told them "no" and went inside to call about it. (Don't know who he was calling.) When he came back out, they had already cut the tree down, loaded it onto their truck, and attempted to collect money. He had his cell phone with him this time, took photos, and proceeded to call the sheriff. They took off. One of the selling points for his buying that particular house was the tree. I am anxious to find out if this does not fall under criminal trespass and criminal destruction of property.

For this reason, I don't doubt this story. Stuff is happening. People are not supposed to do things to another's property without permission or invitation. Trespassing and damaging are unacceptable. If a tree on your property hangs over the property line of another's property, they can cut/trim up to the property line and straight up to infinity and be within the law. They cannot do whatever is on your side without permission.

[NavyVet]

A neighbor in close proximity had a palm tree removed from their front yard WITHOUT their permission. A couple of guys in a white truck (no markings) showed up claiming to be "arborists of The Villages and were taking out diseased palm trees per orders". When asked, they could not furnish documentation or show/tell him what disease. The home owner told them "no" and went inside to call about it. (Don't know who he was calling.) When he came back out, they had already cut the tree down, loaded it onto their truck, and attempted to collect money. He had his cell phone with him this time, took photos, and proceeded to call the sheriff. They took off. One of the selling points for his buying that particular house was the tree. I am anxious to find out if this does not fall under criminal trespass and criminal destruction of property.

For this reason, I don't doubt this story. Stuff is happening. People are not supposed to do things to another's property without permission or invitation. Trespassing and damaging are unacceptable. If a tree on your property hangs over the property line of another's property, they can cut/trim up to the property line and straight up to infinity and be within the law. They cannot do whatever is on your side without permission.

Oh, that's horrible!
I agree and feel for the OP as well. Bottom line it is trespassing and vandalism. If I was in the OP's position, I would remove the lights, get my lamp cover fixed, and wait and see if someone came back to claim them. Some of us highly value our right to privacy and others don't respect that.
Why should the OP have to go to all the neighbors to try and find out who is behind it? I certainly wouldn't either in this case, and if it was me, I'd probably even put a little no trespassing sign on my lamp post. LOL
But I am lucky; I have awesome neighbors.

[graciegirl]

Sorry, but when an OP asks for advice why do we always assume it’s not the whole story, or if you don’t have contact with your neighbors, why is that such a problem for posters on this forum. Looks like OP has chosen not to respond, may be due to some of the unkindly posts.

He started the thread and that usually means input is expected. You will always get some positive and some negative in any anonymous on line discussion. I still would like to know what kind of decorations and who busted his pole lamp. I am sure they didn't mean to and I wonder if it was busted or set askew or what...and that is simply because many of us are curious. And some are not.

[GeoGeo]

Does everyone on your street have the same or similar decorations on their light posts? Some streets like to have everyone match and do something like everyone has to have colored light bulbs in their yard llight. If others have it, maybe you weren't home when they asked about it and maybe the person putting the decorations up thought everyone had been asked. Hopefully, they have gone to see about purchasing you a new light post cover.

[KeithDB]

There is nothing more to the story I came home from the store and Christmas lights were plugged into my light post and the broken light cover was left on the front lawn. It seems they put these lights on everyone’s light post on my block except for 2 houses.


They did all that and no one saw who they are?

I don't think anyone will come for them.

[Yung Dum]

My CYV group does this every year (except for breaking lights). It's done to cheer up the whole neighborhood for the holiday season. No one is sneaking around putting lights on people's houses. Go next door and speak to your neighbor. You'll get all the answers you need. Except for the broken light.

[coffeebean]

///

[coffeebean]

The crazy lady as she was name by others, lived 3 doors down. If she didn’t like it she called people to fix it, and then had the bill sent to owners. She had the house next door power washed, because the owners were using the wrong company. So the name fits. She still lives there, but everyone 4 houses each side sold within 4 years.

Isn't this grounds to call the police? I can not believe what I'm reading here.

[Vikingjunior]

Thanks for all the input some neighbors said it’s just a group of people who live somewhere on the block but didn’t know where any of them live. It’s not a huge deal but as mentioned the light post only accepts a light bulb so they had to put in an adapter so it will accept a light bulb and a source for a plug. In putting in these lights they had to remove one of the glass panels for the Christmas lights plug so the light and plug itself is exposed to the rain. Also when the light post cover was left on the lawn it was raining out some the light fixture was exposed to the rain and got all wet. As we know electricity and water doesn’t mix and you run the risk of shorting the outlet. Of course the screws securing the light cover is also missing.

I’m not one to get outraged over every little thing put my aim for posting is to find out if The Villages gives them some authority to do this. I’m sure this wasn’t intentionally malicious and their intentions was to just make the block look festive.

The lights will be returned when they come get them and I will just explain in a nice way it’s probably in everyone’s best interest to not place anything on my property without permission and I would appreciate if they would fix my light cover. End of story, Happy Holidays Everyone!

[Polar Bear]

If you’re talking about your private lamp (where many people hang their family name signs), anybody but you decorating that lamp is 100% wrong and illegal.

[graciegirl]

My CYV group does this every year (except for breaking lights). It's done to cheer up the whole neighborhood for the holiday season. No one is sneaking around putting lights on people's houses. Go next door and speak to your neighbor. You'll get all the answers you need. Except for the broken light.

I was wondering how much those lights on the top of pole lamps cost and I looked at Lowes and Home Depot and Amazon and was surprised to see that many are from thirty dollars to fifty dollars. I am sure that the neighbor would reimburse him for that amount, and most likely feel really sorry it happened. I think if there was a discussion all would be resolved. I hope he will join the light brigade too. It makes for good feelings all around.

AND if I had read to the end, I would see that all will be o.k. Merry Christmas Viking Junior.

[Bay Kid]

My CYV group does this every year (except for breaking lights). It's done to cheer up the whole neighborhood for the holiday season. No one is sneaking around putting lights on people's houses. Go next door and speak to your neighbor. You'll get all the answers you need. Except for the broken light.

Neighbors should let neighbors know before adding lights on private property, or adding anything, on a neighbor's property. This is not being mean, just being courteous.

[graciegirl]

Neighbors should let neighbors know before adding lights on private property, or adding anything, on a neighbor's property. This is not being mean, just being courteous.

I absolutely and completely agree. I think it was quite high handed.

[rustyp]

Thanks for all the input some neighbors said it’s just a group of people who live somewhere on the block but didn’t know where any of them live. It’s not a huge deal but as mentioned the light post only accepts a light bulb so they had to put in an adapter so it will accept a light bulb and a source for a plug. In putting in these lights they had to remove one of the glass panels for the Christmas lights plug so the light and plug itself is exposed to the rain. Also when the light post cover was left on the lawn it was raining out some the light fixture was exposed to the rain and got all wet. As we know electricity and water doesn’t mix and you run the risk of shorting the outlet. Of course the screws securing the light cover is also missing.

I’m not one to get outraged over every little thing put my aim for posting is to find out if The Villages gives them some authority to do this. I’m sure this wasn’t intentionally malicious and their intentions was to just make the block look festive.

The lights will be returned when they come get them and I will just explain in a nice way it’s probably in everyone’s best interest to not place anything on my property without permission and I would appreciate if they would fix my light cover. End of story, Happy Holidays Everyone!

Place a menorah on your front door facing the street (traditional location). That should solve the problem for next year.

[bilcon]

:bigbow:ENOUGH! On to a new topic

[New Englander]

Thanks for all the input some neighbors said it’s just a group of people who live somewhere on the block but didn’t know where any of them live. It’s not a huge deal but as mentioned the light post only accepts a light bulb so they had to put in an adapter so it will accept a light bulb and a source for a plug. In putting in these lights they had to remove one of the glass panels for the Christmas lights plug so the light and plug itself is exposed to the rain. Also when the light post cover was left on the lawn it was raining out some the light fixture was exposed to the rain and got all wet. As we know electricity and water doesn’t mix and you run the risk of shorting the outlet. Of course the screws securing the light cover is also missing.

I’m not one to get outraged over every little thing put my aim for posting is to find out if The Villages gives them some authority to do this. I’m sure this wasn’t intentionally malicious and their intentions was to just make the block look festive.

The lights will be returned when they come get them and I will just explain in a nice way it’s probably in everyone’s best interest to not place anything on my property without permission and I would appreciate if they would fix my light cover. End of story, Happy Holidays Everyone!

If this were done to me I would be very upset. This decorating group has no right to do this without asking first. And if they asked me, I'd say no...

[mikelin]

I'm somewhat perplexed by the responses to your situation. Alert all the proper authorities. Since this was done without your permission, to brake anything on someone's private property is vandalism. Posting on the Next Door Neighbor site can be risky. I have read, as on TOTV, the Next Door Neighbor site has individuals who can be uncontrollably rude, nasty, offensive, carry opinions to the extreme, and, allow their point of view and worse responses for a contrary opinion. Many responses are kind, sensitive and helpful. I've had many Villagers who agree with me on these issues.

[coffeebean]

If this were done to me I would be very upset. This decorating group has no right to do this without asking first. And if they asked me, I'd say no...

Absolutely agree. I have my own light display and would not want lights on my lamp post.

Also.....it is trespassing for anyone but the home owner to set foot on a property and place any decorations on that property. What if the person injured themselves while placing the lights on the lamp post? There is always that possibility and that has not been mentioned on this thread that I have seen.

[EdFNJ]

It’s not a huge deal but as mentioned the light post only accepts a light bulb so they had to put in an adapter so it will accept a light bulb and a source for a plug.


LOL, I guess I win the prize for guessing what happened first in post #36! Hopefully they reimburse you for the damage.

[Mr Hanky]

Wow free Christmas lights installation!!!
Send them to my house

[coffeebean]

Wow free Christmas lights installation!!!
Send them to my house

I don't see it that way.....at all. They were trespassing. Period!!!