I spoke with a Sumter County Sheriff regarding this issue last summer, We put a computer desk out on the curb and 30 minutes later it was gone. I contacted the Sheriff and he said when it's on the curb along with the other trash it's considered trash.

I don't mind, if i can help someone who might be in need, they can have what I don't need.

Exactly! We just had a neighborhood garage sale. Many items that were left and good to donate everyone did that other items went to trash. We have one truck that comes every weekend looking for "stuff people don't use or can't use and have thrown out. More power to people that are trying to make ends meet making use of our discarded items. We put stuff our last night and actually had a young man come to our door and ask if he could take something (we put out an old but still working shop vac. We said of course! I don't care about stuff I put out at the curb, it's fair game and if it helps someone else that's great! Paper stuff is shredded in a cross cut shredder.

I shred all my personal stuff. If people want to take my garbage after I put it out for removal, have at it guys -- As long as you take it and not rip it apart and make a mess in my driveway for the wind to distribute it to all my neighbors.

Old saying! One Man's Trash is another Man's Treasure!. IMO I don't like people riffling through Plastic bags. But I was born in the night, just not last night" so I try to destroy any personnel information. I was Poor boy, but wasn't that poor and understand some may have to resort to that.

You were throwing it out, it got picked up by someone who wanted it, it is off your hands, and you call the Sheriff?

You said in your post you didn't mind. Why call the Sheriff?

Seriously, there are people worried about having their garbage stolen?
Everyone realizes that personal/financial information needs to be shredded.
If you leave furniture on the curb for pick-up, just be grateful that it can be of use to somewhat who needs it.
Think about it: If someone needs money that badly to rifle through your garbage or recycling, just feel blessed that you don't need to.

:agree:
I would go out and challenge.

This ruling was garbage left "on the street" and specifically excluded garbage left on the curtilage of a home. Nobody in the villages leaves their garbage on the street, we leave it on the curtilage of our homes, which means anyone coming there without a specific contracted reason is trespassing.

Absolutely agree! :BigApplause: I was very glad items were going to someone that could use it rather than a landfill. There are much more important things to be concerned about ,,,,,,

It would be such an outpouring of love to have swarms of trash people coming every trash day to every neighborhood in the wee hours of trash day. We can put cookies and milk on little trays like for Santa Claus, or just invite them in for breakfast.

We would put a special color light in the lamppost, maybe blue, to signal trash people that We love them, so they would come knock on the door and We could give them food and money and have stay overnight if they were homeless...

PM if you want to help start a homeless trash people support group.
HTPSG!

I've always understood that stuff put out for pickup is fair game for scroungers. I'm glad the sheriff supported that. I don't believe anyone is looking for personal info - just "good" stuff discarded. Oh, all the talk about coming on your property to do this is probably not correct. I believe that most, if not all, of our property lines are about 8-10 feet back from the curb.

You would be wrong for purposes of determining trespass. There is an easement for specific purposes. Otherwise, anyone there without specific contractual service agreement is trespassing.
Suppose homeless Uncle Joe wants to stay in a tent on your 10' to be near his estranged relative, who is your neighbor.

Nobody? This is not true. I have seen alot of trash bags sitting in the street, expecially those with paved driveways.

It is happening now.......without cookies,milk or colored lights on lampposts,food or overnight accomodations.
Come on.....................

Hmmm, then that garbage is public property, but most of us leave it on our own driveway and not out on the street. Thanks for the correction.