Yard Theft Prevention without a Fence (Due to Council)

So over the past year or so we've been having people wander into the garden - all around the house, not just from the mail box to door (no it's not the mail man, he's a drop and dash kinda guy) and take our stuff, plants, tools, etc. Just installing cameras today, though we have caught the people red handed and they don't give a damn, often they're walkers but the other day one aunty drove up and when spotted said she was here to collect, and had to have the plant taken from her. We can't have a fence/gate due to the property location and council. Any tips? There have been multiple offenders all aunties/uncles, ballsy they come to collect or take what they want even after been confronted, one said he'll send his people to collect the plants. Which he indeed did, as the plants he said he was interested in were snatched.

Has this happened to anyone else?

We do have a dog often in the yard, alas he's friendly and probably will be snatched too at some point. Have consulted a friend, she laughed and said this is why you live compound or have security on site. She says they'll just take the camera as well as plants next time… and she wasn't joking.

As Halloween is coming up we're going to have creative deco, skeletons hanging from the old oak with a noose, warning signs all that. Tips for waterproofing it very appreciated, as hardware stores are closed, and that stuff been flammable can't be posted it seems, also none within 5km.

TLDR; 1. Plant theft by aunty/uncle, council says no to having a fence/gates, what to do?
2. Tips on waterproofing Halloween deco to be used year round outdoors appreciated.

Comments

  • +73

    Mines

    • +5

      Yep bikies arnt a suitable solution here, mines are the only answer.

      • +6

        Bikies sitting on mines. Parked next to a roof rack-less RAV4.

    • +51

      As a safer deterrent, motion activated sprinklers

      • +8

        9th green at 9 haha

      • +1

        Directly attached to the hot water tank!

      • Great idea, it stopped cats sh!ting on my back lawn, should deter humans too. Cost about $15 off ebay.

    • +1

      LOL that was my first thought - but only because I have just finished rewatching CLOY.

      Wonder if the Halloween shop sells fake ones that click when you step on them?

    • +3

      Mines are too noisy, will wake you up. Google "viet cong booby traps" :)

    • Why not mine the place with dye-packs like they use for theft at really expensive stores?
      Or is that only in the US?

      "Aunty, why are you purple today? You look like that kid from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!"

    • or mimes!

      • Marcel Marceau?

        • Yep, he can mime holding a gun and calling the police.

  • +27

    Develop a neurotic obsession, stalking the perimeter at night, leering through the curtains, responding manically to the slightest noise.

    • +7

      I can vouch for this. I have also had success with on command explosive defacation. With practice, you can keep it going for sub 2 minutes while maintaining eye contact. Removing pants is optional.

      • +10

        Username almost checks out…

    • Already checked. I wish they were like normal people and came at night, because we're going to have fun.

      • +26

        Three step process:
        1 - Install those cheap yet effective motion activated flood lights
        2 - Spread out the garden hose and sprinkler system. The tap turned on, and with a relay to the flood lights.
        3 - Upload the footage to YouTube, monetize, and profit !!

        (PS: If you google/youtube a how to should be easy to find)

        edit: …after you upload the footage, make sure you post the links here for us to watch. It would be quite hilarious to see the aunties/uncles coming close enough to trigger the flood lights, getting spooked, and being trapped between the house and the garden sprinklers. I reckon many would do the fast "scuttle of shame" and hopefully the water to their face and clothes might wake them up to their misbehavior.

        • Let’s improve on that.*

          1. Flood light
          2. Loud Siren with voice “You’re Dead Now!”
          3. Shotgun sounds
          4. Release the hounds

          *no more big water bill

          • @MuddyClear: This seems like it was inspired by Home Alone 2 in the Trump Hotel, mixed in with some Mr Burns.

      • +3

        Are you allowed to have a gate between the side of your property and fence?
        Obviously not at the front boundary line, but after 5-10mt.

        Usually that should be ok with estates, we have had that with a newer estate but due to tenants privacy we put one one up. Less than 1k.

        If they ask you to take it out give them your reasoning or worst case- sell the gate.

        How old is your estate's plan. Some of these societies and co-op don't exists anymore and are burden on councils and judiciary.

        For me security will come first considering the times

  • +32

    Wait… are they your aunt/uncle? I'm confused.

    • +19

      We do have family drama too, but I save that for therapy.

      Aunty/uncle refers to older person who's your parents age but younger than grandma/pa.

      In case anyone is curious I'm half white, half Japanese for context.

      • +1

        Does an aunti/uncle have to be the same race as you or is it used solely based on age?

      • How old are your parents?

    • +14

      Very Indian/Asian thing to say for an older person of your parent's age as of respect

      • +14

        It's Australian too. It is just the first century or so of boat people that don't use it.

        • +6

          I have never heard anyone refer to a random person as an aunt or uncle.

          • +1

            @O15: Yes. They are usually of the same heritage or community. And it is usually a sign of respect.

            But I have no idea how Japanese migrants and their off spring use it.

      • +1

        Very a lot of cultural thing to say. Don't see it in Western culture much though. Infact, I would argue that people would find it offensive. "How dare you call me an Auntie?"

        • +1

          Only those that are 20+ years older then you but wants to pretend to be your age

  • +5

    What is Halloween?

    • +2

      OP must live in the USA

      • +2

        Is that what we're calling Victoria now? Harsh

        Actually, shouldn't lock down be helping the OP right now?

    • +6

      As an adult; the best party of the year!

    • A reason to party harder than last weekend ;)

      Normally work (I am/was? an events planner) will host a party or we'll be invited to one.

      • -2

        What is the reason?

    • +1

      What is Christmas?

  • +10

    There have been multiple offenders all aunties/uncles

    What does this mean? How have you been able to ascertain their family relations in the scenarios you have described? What difference does it make if their siblings have children?

      • +4

        Could refer to first peoples

        • +8

          At least I have a fence

          • +10

            @Blitzfx: Come on mate, you're quoting an 11 year old article and a 15 year old event.

            Be real - you WANT us to be racist so you've got something to complain about.

            You know what they say? If you don't like it, you're free to leave.

            What are you doing to solve the problem?

            • -4

              @picklewizard:

              Come on mate, you're quoting an 11 year old article and a 15 year old event.

              So? Does racist ideas magically disappear only 11 years? or 15 years?

              What are you doing to solve the problem?

              Calling this shit out. Spreading awareness? What are you doing? Being a racism apologist/denier by the sounds of it. Suggesting 15 years is enough for it to go away lol. Just look at other progressive countries as more examples.
              What about the reemerging racism from Covid 19?

              Be real - you WANT us to be racist so you've got something to complain about.

              You sure are one yourself, implying it isn't rampant after 15 years.
              I don't need to fabric some kind of conspiracy when it's actually fact and have seen it recently.

              • +7

                @Blitzfx:

                So? Does racist ideas magically disappear only 11 years? or 15 years?

                Not magically, no, but over time, attitudes change, which is why women can vote, gays can marry and slave ownership is generally frowned upon.

                Calling this shit out.

                No you're not, you're making a generalisation of an entire country based on a minority of the way its inhabitant behave. Sounds pretty racist to me…

                Implying it isn't rampant after 15 years.

                It literally isn't though. Since you're the one making the claims, the onus is on you to provide evidence to back it up.

                • -8

                  @picklewizard: I literally provided evidence, and you can see it on the news. And voted a racist as a representative.

                  Not magically, no, but over time, attitudes change, which is why women

                  Yeah ok. Your constant denial is exactly why you're facilitating the idea that if it's not being talked about, it must not exist. Stop denying it?

                  No you're not, you're making a gene

                  Calling out the, strangely, large minority. I'm not calling everyone ignorant and racist. Where did I even insinuate a MAJORITY of Australians / generalise most Australians are such?

                  It literally isn't though.

                  Ok. Provided evidence and facts and historical events and you deny it. 15 years is absolutely nothing. Guess which country abolished slavery over 150 years ago? Guess what they're still experiencing today? People and culture don't change for multiple generations.

                  • +5

                    @Blitzfx:

                    Where did I even insinuate a MAJORITY of Australians

                    lol literally in your first post d-ckhead:

                    Majority of people

                    • -2

                      @picklewizard: LOL Majority of people not caring to go out of their way and learn another culture does not mean they are a racist . Did you even read?

                      Since you're the one making the claims, th

                      At this point in time, you're just willfully ignorant, the worst kind. You could have spent less than a minute to google to see it for yourself

                      https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/27/racis…
                      https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/students-face-confronti…

                      You can keep denying it. You couldn't explain the recent events that have happened.

                      • +4

                        @Blitzfx: You're citing schoolyard bullying as evidence. Children are a-holes. This is not evidence of how adult society behaves.

                        Mate, you're so far out of touch. Check your negs bro, you're not passing the pub test.

                        Why are you so hell-bent on being a victim here?

                        • -2

                          @picklewizard: Imagine being a racism-apologist and attempting to downplay hard research numbers. Where do you think the kids pick up the habits? Did you even read it?

                          and close to one-third have experienced racial discrimination from wider society

                          from wider society

                          Not only are you incapable of reading, you're incapable of understanding the difference when trying to conflate my first sentence with being ignorant = a racist.

                          I couldn't give a shit about negs or whatever pubtest bullshit you made up. People believed in witches and the world being flat.

                          Why are you so hell-bent on being a victim here?

                          Not being hell bent. Just calling our your racism-denial. Where's YOUR evidence that racism is NOT wide spread? Oh that's right. There isn't any.

                          Just admit you're a racist.

                          d-ckhead:

                      • +3

                        @Blitzfx: Agree, racism exists in Australia but modern Australia is not systematically racist.
                        Luckily, Australia doesn't rank too high when it comes to being racist, and the concept of "fair go" is quite prevalent.

                        But, racism in many forms still exists.
                        People who have not experienced it would never understand it's insidious consequences.

                        They may not be the perpetrators, but they are equally culpable for not acknowledging it, or at least listening to the grievances without getting all defensive.

                        • +1

                          @darkmattersunB6c0MV:

                          but modern Australia is not systematically racist.
                          Yes I agree 100%. I haven't seen it present itself in an forms in the system. However, it is still so prevalent in the people (from what I have searched and seen).

                          I don't know what your experience is but the insight that's reflected in the rest of your comment is VERY rare and accurate. First person here I can agree with and respect.

          • +6

            @Blitzfx: haha, When people complain australians are racist, I just laugh. Having lived in many countries before Australia (Being dark Skin and a migrant). Australians are far less racist than a lot of the other countries out there especially countries in the Asian continent. Thats where i copped the most racism by a country mile and it was perfectly acceptable in that society to be racist to darker skins or non-asians.

            • @lonewolf: You'll laugh because it's not AS bad as other countries? Using whataboutism isn't valid. That's like saying we shouldn't complain about anything in life and make zero effort in improvement because there exists 3rd world countries who's living standards are inhumane.

              • +2

                @Blitzfx: Because it’s already light years ahead in improvements related to racism and it’s usually people who are already racist themselves who them come to Australia and complain about some being racist back to them.

                The most racist people Australia these days are people who have come from far more racist countries themselves than Anglo Saxon Australians. I say this being a migrant myself I get Far more racism from other migrants than from white Australians.

          • +2

            @Blitzfx: I dunno, man. I would say that racism is fairly prevalent in society, but when one suggests that Australia is racist, it kind of implies that white Australia, exclusively, is racist. I think that is what has catalysed the flavour of responses you have received. Especially because most of us are of mixed heritage. For example, those of us who are of European descent. Our relatives received racism when they arrived in this country, and are now being labelled as racist because they share the same skin tone as the people who victimised them.

            I have witnessed disgusting acts of racism being perpetrated by everyone, regardless of colour or creed. It's almost like it is a consequence of in group/out group social dynamics. I think it's kind of a gross part of our neurophysiology.

            I don't think the Cronulla riots are a good measure of societal attitudes either. That event was a (profanity) disgrace to our whole nation, and one where everyone involved ought to be ashamed of themselves.

            • @thanatos350: Thanks for explaining/sharing your perspective. That makes sense.
              Maybe I should have clarified and made extra distinctions in my first comment.

      • +22

        I genuinely have no idea what this means. Perhaps you can enlighten us all? I assume it is some reference to one racial group or another, but I genuinely don't know.

        Unfortunately I'm not au fait with the idioms of all cultures on this planet, or indeed all those that exist in Australia. If this is supposed to be a reference to "older people of Asian decent" as has been implied by you and others here (I don't know if that's the reference or not), why not simply say that? Or, just leave out the references to racial groups altogether?

        • +8

          Where I live (near Redfern), Aunty / Uncle is used by first nations folk for anyone older than them. I wasn't aware that other cultures used it too.

          Usually it's a sign of respect but sometimes I feel that when they use the term on me it means "old bastard".

        • The majority of Ozbargains that attend meet ups are Asians. It would be safe to assume that OP is from that part of the world because they use the word auntie.

          • +1

            @whooah1979: Don't know why this got downvoted, it was a statement of facts, nothing racially motivated. Ozbargain forums are getting hostile

        • +4

          When talking to my kids I refer to family friends as "Auntie X" or "Uncle Y", but I don't refer to strangers as aunties and uncles. To me it's a person who is close enough to be like family (but might not be). That still doesn't explain the OP's usage.

      • +10

        Are people actually this ignorant that they think Asian cultures are the only ones that use the term auntie/uncle? Embarrassing.

        • -1

          Clearly they are but don't call them out on it lest you get down voted on ozb

        • Which other ones?

          • +2

            @Blitzfx: Indian
            Hawaiian
            Maori
            Australian Aboriginal
            Probably plenty more.

            • @brendanm: I knew of india, but that's part of asia.
              Didnt know about the other ones, but thanks for updating!

          • +1

            @Blitzfx:

            Which other ones?

            Literally half of Europe as well as much of the Middle East and North Africa also use the word "auntie" as a respectful title/honorific for any middle-aged woman rather than their first name (which is considered impolite), especially when children address such women.

            Ignorance pervades all races.

        • Yes. Yes they are.

      • +10

        One could also easily argue that the person who is using words in a way that is not common to Australia, in an Australian forum, is ignorant themselves and should probably learn to explain themselves better straight up.

        I am an educated, avid reader of novels and I was confused as heck at what thhe person was saying in regards to Aunties and Uncles. I was vaguely able to infer from context that these people were not relatives but still wanted to read the comments to see if there was a clarification.

        CLARIFICATION: Im not saying the person who wrote this is ignorant. I'm saying that the world would be a better place without self important virtue signallers like yourself running around being "embarrassed" on behalf of other cultures that you probably arent even a member of.

        • -7

          wow, because you are ignorant I'm a self important virtue signaller? Now thats really an embarrassing claim.

          • +4

            @dtc: Surprise surprise… You're embarrassed again!

            Don't worry about all the downvotes… You're view on everything is perfection. It's everyone else in the world that is wrong.

            Apologies but I am not embarrassed for you. You are going to have to be embarrassed for yourself for once. But from your comments I imagine that is something you never do.

        • -1

          How is your first statement and clarification not a direct contradiction?

          I would argue you're actually not as educated as you think you are, but weirdly project this out as a fault of others. For clarity though, not saying you're not as educated as you think you are, just unrelated comment about virtue signalling.

          • @DingoBilly:

            How is your first statement and clarification not a direct contradiction?

            My first statement is that if you were a negative person who was looking to call people ignorant, you COULD just as easily argue that the OP is ignorant. My clarification at the end was pointing out that just because you COULD doesn't mean you SHOULD.

            My comment about being an educated, avid reader of novels was to add context to my position of not understanding the references. Due to the original comment being that people are ignorant.

            ignorant: lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated.

            You obviously misinterpreted this as some sort of brag about my intelligence. Which would lead me to believe that you are not as good at reading comprehension as you think you are.

      • All this time, I thought I lived in Australia, not Asia.
        I must be losing it…

    • +19

      Sorry I do that thing where I don't realize there's gaps where things make sense to me but I don't realize that others see gaps and get confused.

      Aunty/uncle refers to older person who's your parents age but younger than grandma/pa. Like even your parents' friends who aren't related. They don't have to have kids/family, it's more about age than anything.

      • +6

        Yeah I'd didn't realise this is what you meant either when it comes to a stranger - I'd only use it for close family friends and relatives of the right age, regardless of whether they are actually aunties or uncles - I certainly wouldn't use it to refer to someone stealing from me because it's a term of endearment and respect - usually something we ask kids to say for any of our friends our age for example.

        macrocephalic above summed it up above - "When talking to my kids I refer to family friends as "Auntie X" or "Uncle Y", but I don't refer to strangers as aunties and uncles. To me it's a person who is close enough to be like family (but might not be)."

        I did know in Indigenous culture it can be used more widely - I assumed, perhaps ignorantly, it referred to just friends / acquaintances of the right age among the same cultural group.
        So, I've learned something new today that it could be anyone of the right relative age group.

        • lol I felt that I'd be negged for describing them straight up that's why and people would racism when I was pointing out what I saw

          • -1

            @anastasiastarz: It’s probably easier to just say ‘people’ as it’s hard to convey context in text.

      • Strange.

        These English words have very specific meanings. It's best to use them to avoid confusion.

        I had no idea what anyone was talking about until I got to this section of the comments.

        Edit: No, I'm not racist because I don't understand the slang words of the 195 different countries.

    • Maybe because they are older, they aren't doing it maliciously or could just be oblivious/dementia etc.

      • haha no, she said she was here to collect and drove up.

        • +2

          Sounds like she had the wrong address?

        • +16

          Check gumtree Facebook for ‘free plant’ ads. Might have your address listed.

  • +3

    Robot Sentries

    On a more serious note, it sucks that your stuff is getting nicked… they even having the audacity in getting caught red handed and just waving it off…. nothing much you can do without fencing or some sort of deterrent. Even with a security system, the cops won't do much. I would secure your tools properly. Don't leave them outside, bring them inside and box them up. Plants on the other hand…. steel ball and chain? lol.

  • +7

    Hedge? You can build a small trellis that looks a lot like a fence and start training your hedge over the trellis (I mean, with many hedges you dont need to do that but it gives you a head start). Or buy bigger hedge plants to start with - waist high, plant them right along your boundary

    Other option is what we used to call the Mediterranean option. Probably shouldnt call it that nowadays but older people will know what I mean - namely, concrete the whole front yard so there is nothing to steal

    Im pretty sure most councils allow fences along the side of your house (ie between your side fence and your house), so you should be able to block off part of the garden.

    Get a meaner dog

    motion activated sprinkler system

    • +1

      Oooh the Mediterranean option, that's a cool term I've never heard of, yes it is becoming a more popular thing here (asian area), so you can park more cars. I think we're a target because all our neighbours have plain yards or plants in ground, whereas we have orchids around the side in pots - but as I said you need to wander in. I now question why we haven't had laundry stolen…

  • +18

    F—k.

    That.

    The council wants to tell you what you can do to keep yourself and your personal belongings safe?

    Honestly, I'd sell and send the council a bag of turd as representation of their value to your former community.

    You need a fence and a deterrent. If someone is brazenly infringing on my rights, I'd follow them home and confront them there.

    • +13

      Easy there, Doc. Have some morning tea.

      • +7

        Government makes me angry.

        The anger is my tea. Mmmm…

    • haha yes that last part is why I seek therapy. Because I ain't afraid.

    • +6

      Send council the bill for replacing all the stolen stuff as they are responsible for not allowing you to secure your property.

  • +11

    set up a motion trigger water sprinkler, so when someone walk near by , it will trigger the sprinkler, may not work at night ? or install or door bell sensor, like the one used in 2 dollars shop, it sound ding dong when customer walk in.

    • My friend uses the motion sensor and it goes red and loud af alarm. It works quite well since your neighbours will also tell you to shut up multiple times

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