The only thieves I have caught in the act are the wild cats and coyotes. :popcorn:

If I catch one of them in the act, they can have the trash!

Some cities and towns, where it has become a big problems, are passing ordinances that require trash pickers to buy a yearly permit. The police enforce it.

I use my dog's bagged poop as a deterrent. Always dump the poop can contents on top of my house hold garbage before I tie up the bag. Trust me if someone opened it they would be bowled over by the scent!

Hope they like kitty poo, too!:icon_wink:

Are they going through the "trash" trash or the recycle stuff, which usually has lots of paper stuff? I tear our names off of envelopes and shred that part, too. Don't forget about medical stuff...especially the information about the prescription drugs you might be taking.

I also shred listings of club members, church members, team members, etc. Sometimes, there's lots of information there including your Villages ID number.

Question: If the trash is on the edge of your yard, is it still considered fair game? That's where I put mine much of the time after forgetting it was there and backing over it....MAJOR mess.:yuck:

Ok, maybe it's not a crime. However, I think I'd still consider it "suspicious." I believe law enforcement asks citizens to report anything suspicious. Maybe I'm wrong?

Maybe a moot point, but isn't it trespassing to come on to one's property uninvited??

The one's I have seen stand in the street and just reach in. Don't know if they know about trespassing or just too lazy to go any further.

Or it could be you're not trespassing if you're in the easement? I don't know... ask the people who let their dogs... NO WAIT. Don't do that.

It isn't trespassing. Do you have a fence with a locked gate? Do you have "No Trespassing" signage? Have you specifically told the person(s) not to come on your property?

Who is a licensee?
Licensees are individuals who enter upon the property of another for their own convenience, pleasure, or benefit (Stewart v. Texas Co., 67 So.2d 653 [Fla. 1953]; 41 Florida Jurisprudence 2d Premises Liability section 53). This includes uninvited licensees whose presence is tolerated or permitted by the owner of the property (Boca Raton v. Mattee, 91 So.2d 644 [Fla. 1956]). This category also includes discovered trespassers and trespassers who have done so for a substantial period of time with the owner's knowledge (41 Florida Jurisprudence 2d Premises Liability section 53).

To what extent am I, the property owner, responsible for licensees?
For visitors classified as licensees, the property owner is responsible in cases where the owner willfully injures that person or that person is injured due to the owner's wanton negligence. Additionally, the property owner has a responsibility to warn the licensee of any known dangers thata someone would not readily notice (Emerine v. Scaglione, 751 So.2d 73 [Fla. 2d DCA 1999]; 41 Florida Jurisprudence 2d Premises Liability section 55). An example of a licensee is the case where P entered a store to get change and was injured after slipping on a greasy floor. P sued the owners, claiming they failed to warn him of the greasy floor. Because P only entered the store to get change and not to shop, the court found P to be a licensee rather than an invitee. The court said that licensees, upon entering property, assume whatever risk of injury that might exist due to conditions of the property unless those conditions are hidden (Stewart v. Texas Co., 67 So.2d 653 [Fla. 1953]). It is important to remember, however, that where conditions show a willful or gross disregard for safety, the property owner will be held responsible to injuries caused to licensees from such conditions.

Ok, guess it is not trespassing. Thanks for the info

It is trespassing. The property around your home is "unenclosed curtilage"...

810.09 Trespass on property other than structure or conveyance.—

(1)(a) A person who, without being authorized, licensed, or invited, willfully enters upon or remains in any property other than a structure or conveyance:
1. As to which notice against entering or remaining is given, either by actual communication to the offender or by posting, fencing, or cultivation as described in s. 810.011; or

2. If the property is the unenclosed curtilage of a dwelling and the offender enters or remains with the intent to commit an offense thereon, other than the offense of trespass,commits the offense of trespass on property other than a structure or conveyance.

Also...did you know that if your dog bites someone you are liable UNLESS you have a sign saying "BAD DOG"...so with all the construction and strangers milling around my street, I do have a sign in the window saying private property no trespassing BAD DOG.
I'm sure there are rules against posting signs, however, this one is required by law for the protection of the public and the homeowner.

No matter what you call it, how you slice it, dice it dissect it, present it, or identify it,what the bottom line is that people can steal information that could lead to identity theft or other privacy invasion. Trespassing or not. What it is deemed legally is NOT pertinent in this discussion.


Burn or shred your valuable information and don't put it in a trash bag that some danged lazy ass person who does not want to work can take and steal your hard earned money.


Or burglarize or rob it. Semantics Shlamantics.

Kitty, I hope that NON bad Dog Emma can't read!