Slashed full trash bags

[Madelaine Amee]

We are having a problem in our village. I live north of 466 and every trash pick up day bags are being slashed open and, I assume, items are taken out. Today, our personal trash bag slasher came around early during the storm, he thankfully ignored my household trash and slashed open a black heavy duty bag and spilled the contents on my driveway. So I assume I will have to wake early and get my trash out first thing in the morning.

This is a new happening, maybe less than a month, is this happening in other neighborhoods?

[Papa_lecki]

Did you see the thrasher?

Is it possible it’s an animal with sharp claws? That occasionally happens in our neighborhood.

[MartinSE]

Sadly, once you put it out, it is legally fair game.

[JerryLBell]

Are you sure this is not being done by an animal, such as a raccoon? Every time we've had our garbage bags ripped open, it's been by critters.

[davem4616]

so sad that you are dealing with this...if it helps,

I never bring my trash out until 7:20 in the morning....as I fear that the animals that prowl during the night might find what I have inside the bags attractive

[Garywt]

so sad that you are dealing with this...if it helps,

I never bring my trash out until 7:20 in the morning....as I fear that the animals that prowl during the night might find what I have inside the bags attractive

Very strange, nothing I have heard about. You seem to be an early riser, I am never awake when the trash gets picked up and I am not setting an alarm to get up to put the trash out. Luckily I have not seen it around our neighborhood.

[Two Bills]

Had that happen some years back when renting in Caroline.
It was Raccoons opening bags.
Just stopped leaving bags out overnight.

[Madelaine Amee]

This is a person, not a sharp clawed animal. The bag in question was slashed with a sharp knife and the contents tipped onto the ground. We used to call these people Pickers, but this is the first time I have encountered this in TV.

Yes, I am up with the birds and my trash is usually picked up by 6:30am so I will have to start putting it out in the morning.

[ThirdOfFive]

This is a person, not a sharp clawed animal. The bag in question was slashed with a sharp knife and the contents tipped onto the ground. We used to call these people Pickers, but this is the first time I have encountered this in TV.

Yes, I am up with the birds and my trash is usually picked up by 6:30am so I will have to start putting it out in the morning.
TV's equivalent of dumpster diving, maybe?

[JerryP]

Sadly, once you put it out, it is legally fair game.

It may be fair game but not legal if they leave a mess.

[Chi-Town]

Time for a photo op.

[villagetinker]

I would call community watch and inform them of this activity, then I would get an HD camera I am thinking the type they use in the woods for animals. This would be located to catch the person(s) involved and hopefully a license plate. I suggest these types of cameras as they are battery operated, weather proof and suitable for light and dark conditions. I have seen these advertised at Rural King.

[Topspinmo]

Probably picking through trash bag for personal information. Why else would somebody cut open garbage bag? IMO cutting open bags of trash is illegal, different than putting lawnmower, chair, or old items that age good and not bagged.

[Topspinmo]

Sadly, once you put it out, it is legally fair game.

Fair game If take the whole bag and not dump it in the street. There ordinance for littering. Plus if not in the street it’s on private property.

[Babubhat]

Video cameras are inexpensive and useful. I catch the crows every trash day,

Try putting your trash in a brown leaf bag. No one should want your leaves

[Michael G.]

I suggest these types of cameras as they are battery operated, weather proof and suitable for light and dark conditions. I have seen these advertised at Rural King.

Someone would just get nude pictures of your neighbors crazy wife
going house to house with knife in hand.

Or you could wrap yourself in a black garbage bag holding a 357 and wait for the culprit.

[TrapX]

Sadly, once you put it out, it is legally fair game.

Not exactly.
Random people cannot enter your property to remove anything you may have set out. Someone trespassing to cut your property open is committing a crime of vandalism. Spreading the contents is littering. Allowing things to get into a storm drain could pick up other environmental charges. Taking anything is theft.
Ironically, even police cannot remove your trash from your property, without first getting a warrant.
Putting trash off of your property, in the street, can be considered littering. It's fair game to anyone if put there.

However, trash bags, and related items, that to an untrained eye are are obviously trash intended for collection, are considered surrendered property, but only to the trash removal people. They are allowed to enter your property to remove those items. Once that trash is removed by them, you no longer have an expectation of privacy to their contents, and then scavengers and police (potentially without a warrant) are now free to take whatever they want.

[Stu from NYC]

I would call community watch and inform them of this activity, then I would get an HD camera I am thinking the type they use in the woods for animals. This would be located to catch the person(s) involved and hopefully a license plate. I suggest these types of cameras as they are battery operated, weather proof and suitable for light and dark conditions. I have seen these advertised at Rural King.

Great advise

[dewilson58]

Not exactly.

Ironically, even police cannot remove your trash from your property, without first getting a warrant.


You might be out of date..................
In a case from 1988 entitled California v. Greenwood, the Supreme Court of the United States held that an individual does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their trash. Therefore, the Fourth Amendment does not prohibit law enforcement from a warrantless search and seizure of their garbage.

[Babubhat]

You can post Ring camera videos online

[TrapX]

You might be out of date..................
In a case from 1988 entitled California v. Greenwood, the Supreme Court of the United States held that an individual does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their trash. Therefore, the Fourth Amendment does not prohibit law enforcement from a warrantless search and seizure of their garbage.

The slippery slope is that if one has to trespass on private property to reach the trash, then committing that crime invalidates anything collected after.

[Spectreron]

I put my dog’s waste bags in the trash bag. No animals have messed with it, quite ripe!

[Nucky]

It would be great if you could hire the garbage watcher from the Church Garbage Thread a few days ago. They could stalk your garbage for you. What a shame, problems like this shouldn't be happening.

We shred our paperwork into pieces that would have to be sent to Quantico to reassemble. You never know the person's reason for the search. Time to call Raymond Reddington. :1rotfl:

[Stu from NYC]

It would be great if you could hire the garbage watcher from the Church Garbage Thread a few days ago. They could stalk your garbage for you. What a shame, problems like this shouldn't be happening.

We shred our paperwork into pieces that would have to be sent to Quantico to reassemble. You never know the person's reason for the search. Time to call Raymond Reddington. :1rotfl:

Kind of out of his core competency. I would see if Dudley DoRight is available.

[coffeebean]

It may be fair game but not legal if they leave a mess.

Especially if that mess stains the driveway.

[dewilson58]

The slippery slope is that if one has to trespass on private property to reach the trash, then committing that crime invalidates anything collected after.

You may want to check county records..............you don't own the property touching the street.

[Nucky]

Kind of out of his core competency. I would see if Dudley DoRight is available.

Do you think maybe he knows a guy who knows a guy? I'll stick with Raymond :clap2:

Using Reddington gets you Elizabeth Keen's family! Don't Googlize and cheat! Do you know who they are?

I'm still sticking with Ray Monde.

[tophcfa]

See what happens when someone feeds the gremlins after midnight.

[Topspinmo]

You may want to check county records..............you don't own the property touching the street.

Easement rights to utilities that’s it. In my case it’s 5 foot from street, two foot cement and 3 foot into my yard. I own it, have to mow and weed it, but utilities has right to under ground access.

[Stu from NYC]

Do you think maybe he knows a guy who knows a guy? I'll stick with Raymond :clap2:

But Dudley gets you Natasha for no extra charge

[Worldseries27]

we are having a problem in our village. I live north of 466 and every trash pick up day bags are being slashed open and, i assume, items are taken out. Today, our personal trash bag slasher came around early during the storm, he thankfully ignored my household trash and slashed open a black heavy duty bag and spilled the contents on my driveway. So i assume i will have to wake early and get my trash out first thing in the morning.

This is a new happening, maybe less than a month, is this happening in other neighborhoods?
i would park in my driveway and wait. He obviously has a vehicle with plates. I would take as many pictures as possible and also call a neighbor at the same time. You'll have the evidence you need for the police to follow up on
be careful

[DrBrutyle109]

We are having a problem in our village. I live north of 466 and every trash pick up day bags are being slashed open and, I assume, items are taken out. Today, our personal trash bag slasher came around early during the storm, he thankfully ignored my household trash and slashed open a black heavy duty bag and spilled the contents on my driveway. So I assume I will have to wake early and get my trash out first thing in the morning.

This is a new happening, maybe less than a month, is this happening in other neighborhoods?
Get a garbage can.
Wow…..that was tough to figure out

[thevillages2013]

Get a garbage can.
Wow…..that was tough to figure out

Um except that the garbage can would leave with the garbage. Ever been in TV and seen a trash can at the curb?

[Stu from NYC]

Get a garbage can.
Wow…..that was tough to figure out

If you lived here you would know that is not an answer.

[dewilson58]

Easement rights to utilities that’s it. In my case it’s 5 foot from street, two foot cement and 3 foot into my yard. I own it, have to mow and weed it, but utilities has right to under ground access.

Nope.
I'm not talking about an easement.
Property lines are XX feet from the center of the rode.
Not sure about villas, most sprinklers next to the road are not on the homeowner property.
(jus looked at county records, saw the same with villas.........don't know your address)

[skizicsdcx]

Beside the slasher be aware of small wild hungry animals with sharp claws

[rockyhyder]

This is a person, not a sharp clawed animal. The bag in question was slashed with a sharp knife and the contents tipped onto the ground. We used to call these people Pickers, but this is the first time I have encountered this in TV.

Yes, I am up with the birds and my trash is usually picked up by 6:30am so I will have to start putting it out in the morning.

IF you want to identify the person(s) purchase a game camera from Sportsman’s Warehouse on 441. Easily concealed in a tree or shrub and you can take video or still photo.

[lestrom]

Crows

[DrHitch]

Here's a "workaround"..

Make a colored sticker that says "this trash bag is under video surveillance"

I bet the problem will resolve itself!!

[Keefelane66]

I don't believe any of this.

[Redsmom]

I have witnessed two possibilities: got up early one day and saw a woman hop out of a vehicle and slice open my white trash bag and start to pick through it. Came out and confronted her, and she got in her car and left.

Then this morning sitting on my front porch I noticed a crow approach my neighbors trash bag and start pecking at it. I shooed it away.

[amexsbow]

If the bags are being cut open, the thief is looking for personal information for the purpose of identity theft. I would NEVER throw away any personal information in the trash. Buy a crosscut micro shredder, no other type will provide you with better protection. Shred all personal information correspondence. Also I would lock my credit records down with all three credit companies.
Then keep an eye on your credit. You can get a free credit report once a year from each company. The three credit bureaus are, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

[Rcolby7]

I and a neighbor in Rio Ponderosa had some animal break open the bags on separate days in same week.

[DAVES]

Get a garbage can.
Wow…..that was tough to figure out

Far as trash, we actually have more than one pick up company operating in The Villages.
I think if you put your trash in a garbage can they would dump it ALL into the truck, can and all.

Personal information in your trash, we shred it all-no big deal, easy to do.

Animals also simple. Mothballs, bleach, ammonia all work
A gun? That is simply STUPID.

[DAVES]

IF you want to identify the person(s) purchase a game camera from Sportsman’s Warehouse on 441. Easily concealed in a tree or shrub and you can take video or still photo.

Sadly, sane posts are rare. First you need to wonder about what you are dealing with to find the solution. Those game cameras are tripped by movement or sound. In the villages I expect you will capture a lot of interesting stuff-snakes, bunnies, cats, dogs, cayotes, agitator's.

[DAVES]

I have witnessed two possibilities: got up early one day and saw a woman hop out of a vehicle and slice open my white trash bag and start to pick through it. Came out and confronted her, and she got in her car and left.

Then this morning sitting on my front porch I noticed a crow approach my neighbors trash bag and start pecking at it. I shooed it away.

Re: confronting some woman.
Frankly that could have ended badly. Sliced open your trash bag-she was armed.
Why she picked your trash? Looking for garage sale left overs-perhaps?

[Yucatan2]

Many people in my neighborhood near Spanish Springs use black garbage cans to hold their bags of garbage. The collectors don’t take the cans.

[dewilson58]

Many people in my neighborhood near Spanish Springs use black garbage cans to hold their bags of garbage. The collectors don’t take the cans.

Depends where you live.

For most:
How do I dispose of household waste, recyclables and yard waste?
• All household waste should be placed in standard dark, sealed 20-30 gallon trash bags.
Each bag should weigh no more than forty (40) pounds.
• Trash bags should be placed together at the end of your driveway.
• No garbage cans/bins are allowed – they will be disposed of with household trash.
• Yard waste should be bundled, tied and placed at the end of your driveway.
• Tree limbs and branches may not exceed four (4) feet in length. Lawn clippings and
similar yard waste should be placed in biodegradable bags.

[Chi-Town]

Switched from white bags to black on suggestion from trash company back in Illinois. Crow problem ended. Seems to work here too.

[dewilson58]

Switched from white bags to black on suggestion from trash company back in Illinois. Crow problem ended. Seems to work here too.

Never heard that...............good to know.

[Madelaine Amee]

I started this thread simply to find out if anyone else was having trouble with their trash, the discussion that followed has been very interesting.

Someone wants me to sit in my car in the driveway and surprise the trash visitor - well that is not going to happen. :)

Trash cans - not allowed in my area of TV. Wish they were though, maybe start a peition. :coolsmiley:

Animals with sharp claws - I did have an animal get into the trash one night and dragged it all around my yard. Now I actually keep everything ithat would attract an animal wrapped in the freezer and it goes out frozen early in the morning.

Animals sharp claws do not make a straight line slash in a heavy duty black plastic bag. Crows peck away at a bag until they get it open enough to scavange.

I will admit to actually washing out fish and shrimp wrappers in the hopes of getting rid of the smell which would attract animals. :shocked:

Maybe I should try putting a set rat trap in the bag which looks most inviting.

I do shred all personal documents, so unless they want to sit for hours to piece everything back together, that should work.

The video camera and the cameras used in the woods sound excellent, but rather too much trouble for me.

So, hey ho, I guess I will get up early to put out my trash. :ohdear:

[thevillages2013]

I don't believe any of this.

Fake news?

[rogerk]

Try sprinkling a heavy dose of pepper. Awhile ago we had a similar problem at our home in Calumet Grove, my late wife sprinkled generous amounts of ground pepper, this appeared to deter the critters. After a a couple of applications the problem ended. It’s worth a try.

[RedBaron]

I put my dog’s waste bags in the trash bag. No animals have messed with it, quite ripe!
We do the same. Keeps people away too. Also triple bag. Never any problems .

[JKELLYNY]

Spray bags with Clorox/water mix, keeps animals away. Keep mixture in spray bottle in garage.