homeless sleeping in coop

[Audsrose]

Not to scare you or anything, but this what happened in our quiet little rural area this past Christmas.


http://www.thespec.com/news/article/484004--man-faces-murder-charge-in-slaying-of-retired-teacher

 

[michickenwrangler]

How awful.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I hate to even suggest this...but could you erect a tent and post "No trespassing" on it? Kind of like a trap? That way none of your stuff is being torn apart.


Nevermind...an awful suggestion.

 

[welsummerchicks]

I would just sit down and talk to them and tell them that you are not comfortable with them being around your place, and you are very sorry but if they don't go away you will cal lthe police.

It is not fair to act like you accept them and then call the cops on them. You gave 100% a message that it was ok for them to be around.

The best thing you can do is to just be honest and straight with people. If they make you uncomfortable TELL them - right from the start, so they aren't mixed up or confused about it. A lot of them can't really remember what someone said to them two minutes ago let alone two days ago. So what you say has to be really clear from the start.

'I feel bad for you but you can't stay here, it scares me, I don't know you man'.

You have to remember a lot of homeless people are mentally impaired and don't understand everything that is said to them. You have to keep everything really simple. Be very direct, don't leave any ambiguity when you talk to them.

It really is not a good idea to give them any food if you really don't want them to stay around. Because if you give them things that is the message you give - you are welcome here, you can stay. They don't hear the 'just this one time'. It just is not that kind of world for them.

Usually they don't hurt anyone but you don't know if it's just a harmless person or not. Junkies and criminals also hide out among the homeless. They're called 'professional homeless' by some. Even after decades around the homeless I know even the homeless people are afraid of them.

A friend of mine's grandfather made a camp on an old deer camp on his property and told them as long as they did not steal or do drugs around there he would let them stay. He told them they had to pick up their trash and not start any fires. There were different homeless staying around there for many years - it wasn't that tidy but I think they did the best they could.

 

[desertdarlene]

On one hand, you don't want to turn away people in need, but on the other hand, they are taking without asking and that's a problem. I would call police, too, because you don't know what they'll do next.

 

[bockbock2008]

Quote:
I disagree. Locked buildings and removed sleeping quarters is not an open invitation in my book.

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

Perhaps you should leave out a note for them (a big note so they will be able to find it) perhaps in the chicken coop telling them that if they would ask and not steal you may help them

 

[GeneJordan]

I am in the business of helping people, and I applaud you wanting to help them. One thing to remember, lines need to be drawn and kept. They need to be made so that you don't feel used or threatened, and so that a person is able to get the help they need.

 

[MyKidLuvsGreenEgz]

Quote:
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I disagree. Yes, she gave them free food but a locked door is NOT an invitation to break in and please stay among my new fabric. If the trespassers have the mental acuity to figure out how to enter a locked building, they can understand the word NO and the phrase NO TRESPASSING.

Giving someone food is not the same as giving food to a stray cat. It's not a welcome mat.

And please don't assume that "a lot of homeless people" are mentally impaired. Yes, some are. But I wasn't. Neither were the people I knew on the street. I didn't lose my morals, I didn't steal, I worked for food, and bartered for a place to stay.

What these people are doing to the OP is NOT okay, and she has every right to watch for them to quietly call the police. And get them gone!

OP: The camera and flood lights are also good ideas. Nobody skulking around likes to be in the spotlight. Don't talk with them unless you have several other people there with you; you don't know how safe these people are.

 

[herfrds]

I agree with most of the responses.

I would NOT approach these people. If they are mentally ill it can be dangerous for you.
Look at getting a game camera and placing it in a security box and chaining that to a tree. You can then see who is coming onto your property and breaking into your buildings.

Now if it was me I would do as you're saying sit on the roof waiting for them, but I would have some loud firecrackers with me and as soon as I saw them I would light up a string of them. Might scare them off.

Just another thought. Look at getting a fence charger and string some hot wire around your garden.
It is one thing to "ask" if you can have some produce and it is another just to take without asking.

DH told me a story his GM told him about living out here in the 30's and how they had a couple of families stop out here asking for a meal, but were willing to work for that meal.
How times have changed.