Trespassing signs, etiquette, good & bad neighbors

[greenmojo]

Hello All! It's been a while since I logged in... maybe a couple of years. Sorry!

I've been thinking about these questions for a while and wanted to seek your opinions and thoughts.

The property has a private road that comes off of the country road, and has a couple of turns before it goes through our gate, up a hill and onto the flat where the house, pastures, gardens, etc are at. Our problem is that this morning, a new property owner in the area ends up on his quad, out in front of the house, and eventually walks up onto the front porch while the family is still in their pajamas eating breakfast.

We have no trespassing signs on either side of the gate (the gate was open), yet people still drive right through and when you mention it, they just act as if they didn't see them (or maybe they didn't notice). We are installing an automatic gate opener / closer in the next couple of weeks, but I wanted to know how everyone else deals with this.

I didn't know if I needed a more aggressive no trespassing or keep out signs?

I don't enter a property with no trespassing signs unless I've been invited, and just expect the same courtesy, and I can't think of a way to educate people with signage. When they are standing at your front door or looking through your living room window, it's too late to educate, especially if they are a one-time, uninvited visitor.

Side note, we had a WA State Patrol officer that had questions for me about a rural neighbor, he stopped outside of the open gate and called me on the phone and asked for permission to come onto the property, and mentioned that he respects no trespassing signs because of his particular rural duty.

Any ideas, thoughts or? Just frustrated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bcp]

Signs don't do much good. Everyone thinks they have a valid reason for ignoring them.

Gave up on signs, and just shut the gate all the time, home or not. That way the gate doesn't indicate if we are home or gone.

Bruce

 

[greenmojo]

That's solid wisdom. You are very right, every single person, whether it is a new neighbor, the neighbor we don't like, the county assessor, people that are lost, etc -- they all think they are exempt from the signs. Very good point.

 

[Jim Shooz]

If he had a legitimate reason to come and talk to you why shouldn't he come on to your property. He wasn't trespassing, he wanted to see you on business. Even if it was to introduce himself and say "hi, I'm your new neighbour"

 

[greenmojo]

If he had a legitimate reason to come and talk to you why shouldn't he come on to your property. He wasn't trespassing, he wanted to see you on business. Even if it was to introduce himself and say "hi, I'm your new neighbour"

Like Bruce said, they all *think* they have a legitimate reason. Some people don't mind having neighbors or random people drop-in on them, and that's great, good for them. I don't. I enjoy close friends, and family dropping in, but absolutely despise being surprised by people I don't know.

This guy came by to see if I wanted to buy fence posts, and asked to borrow some equipment. Those are not legitimate reasons to pass signs that clearly say, "No Trespassing, Private Property". Just because someone doesn't have my phone number, and wants to talk to me isn't enough of a reason to start driving down private roads looking for me. Like I said in my original post, even the State Patrol officer knew to call first before driving up my private road, because he was not invited.

I wasn't rude, I gave him my phone number and let him know that if he needs something in the future that he needs to call. But this goes back to my original question, which is how to stop this first step, where everyone believes they are exempt from no trespassing signs because they think they have a good reason.

I think Bruce is right, signs don't work, and I will just have to get the automatic gates installed.

 

[cdb2]

He wasn't trespassing, he wanted to see you on business.

trespass, verb - enter the owner's land or property without permission.

Has nothing to do with whether someone thinks they have legitimate business with the owner.

 

[LD1]

Perhaps you should just talk to your neighbor. Explain how you feel.

I have neighbors around that have no-trespassing signs up. But they are not for me. As I have permission to hunt, tap trees for syrup, cut firewood, etc etc.

If I were to put up signs of my own.....my neighbors would still be welcome. Thats about being a good and friendly neighbor. If your intent with YOUR signs was to keep all your neighbors away, perhaps you should let him know that the signs apply to him and not just outta towners

 

[mikester]

Perspective is a funny thing. Did your neighbor show up at 6:00am or at 10:00am? If he was there at 6am then yah he’s probably not reading social cues. If it was 10am then maybe you are being a little weird. Its not like its the jehova six pack showing up trying to convert you or the tar and chip driveway pavers scammer not reading signs.

If you dont want to be neighbourly then answer the door naked carrying a gun and tell him FU. Put a gate at the end of your driveway and keep it closed and locked at all times. Eventually the rumours float around and the neighbourhood recognizes where all the wackos are and avoid them.

Personally Id rather have good neighbors around instead of the Ted Kaczynskis.

 

[txdon]

Unless you have a physical barrier - A locked gate - you can expect uninvited visitors. That is life in the country. The few times I left the gate open someone unwelcome visitor always managed to dive up, and yes one was the tax assessor, one very religious person , someone looking for a dog, one guy that had some asphalt left over from a job etc etc. . .

I think your signs on your new automatic gate will help a lot. I had no unwelcome guest when my gate was closed.

Get a good gate opener or you will leave it open if it breaks and your problem will resurface quickly.
High Quality Automatic Solar Gate Openers & Accessories

If someone crosses you physical barrier, for your safety, be armed. For some reason people think that people in rural areas are trusting and gullible.

Edit, lou brought up a good point on delivery people, leave your phone number on your gate or a box for packages. We never had a problem with theft of packages from the gate, but I kept track of them with the tracking number and knew the time the UPS/Fedex delivered and the packages would seldom be left out for more than an hour. It was very quiet and I could hear the truck miles away.

 

[LouNY]

I would not expect no trespassing signs to include the driveway.
I take it you do not have any delivery's to your place.
If you expect absolutely no trespassing a closed and locked gate is your only way.
I am surprised a deputy would stop and call.