Vandalism to Vinyl fence- ongoing

Started by SallyH3 • 8 replies • 155 views

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SallyH3 (Colorado)
Posts: 4

Posted:

We have a vinyl fence around our main park. for the last year or two, there has been regular damage incurred by "?" who kick the pickets out, or failing kicking them out completely, kick them until they break.

We (the Board) have bought and replaced these pickets and tops, to the tune of about $900 bucks. We kind of suspect who it is, since it's a gang of kids, led by one kiddo, who actually tagged his name on the park equipment.

A discussion with the parents went nowhere, their challenge to the Board was, "you can't prove it." When we pointed out the fact that there was an eye witness to the damage ( who wouldn't testify against his neighbor), as well as the kids name on the equipment, of course the parent said, "someone is just trying to get my kid in trouble."

We just replaced yet another 4 pickets, kicked out and busted up. It seems silly to just keep doing this, but we have an otherwise very nice neighborhood, and it looks really ghetto to have broken pickets, so we keep fixing them. They get broken about once a month, maybe once every couple months.

Too many trees and too large a park to mount camera's everywhere, we could replace the entire fence for that cost.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

SJH

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Did anyone call the police to file a report? The witness might be reluctant to say anything because he or she has beef with this kid and his/her crew, and that's something the police need to know. I do hope you took a time-and-date stamped photo of the tag - that's really ballsy to autograph a tag. Keep taking those photos.

We had the same issue with a fence that borders an apartment complex. It's their fence and people would go through it to cut through our community to get to the grocery store across the street. It was a wooden fence and the owner didn't want to spend the money. I haven't been over to that area since Ieaving the board, but I haven't heard anything about it lately. Possibly because they finally took the fence down and the city put in sidewalks and a walk light so the cutting isn't necessary.

Anyway, without witnesses, you'll have a hard time proving who's responsible, so you may need to invest in one ir two cameras. Are there certain areas along that fence that are more vulnerable - that may be the place to start. Are there homes alongside the fence that have security cameras aimed in their yard and the fence? That could be another way of gathering information and protect the owner's identity. The board can also offer a reward for information that leads to criminal charges and legal actions requesting repair expenses. Talk to police for ideas on how to set that up.

And talk to the fence installer - this one doesn't sound very sturdy and that could be an issue with the quality of the work and you need a nw one.

PS - please watch your use of the word ghetto. The context in which you used it is insulting - and I know you know what I'm talking about. Jacked up fences arent just confined to certain areas where certain people live. Fences with missing panels do look a hot mess, so say that and call it a day.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

SallyH3 (Colorado)
Posts: 4

Posted:

@SheliaH Thanks for the reply. I will definitely share your ideas with the Board. I can't seem to figure out how to edit my post to remove that reference, but I see your point. It's an expression I now realize I should remove from my vocabulary! I hadn't even realized the problem with it. Thanks for pointing it out.

ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,338

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SheliaH on 11/24/2025 4:22 AM
please watch your use of the word ghetto. The context in which you used it is insulting -

No, it is not.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Well, we'll agree to disagree on that.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

DeanJ
Posts: 1,786

Posted:

Are you familiar with a product called a trail cam? It is a camara used by deer hunters to document deer movements day or night. Still photo are taken and stored on a digital card with a date and time stamp when motion is detected. Some are 4G LTE, solar and/or camo. The price ~$100.

Buy 2 and place them where you think they will record the suspects.

JackieB4 (California)
Posts: 398

Posted:

wow Dean. Excellent advice and possible solution.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SallyH3 on 11/23/2025 7:36 PM
We have a vinyl fence around our main park. for the last year or two, there has been regular damage incurred by "?" who kick the pickets out, or failing kicking them out completely, kick them until they break.

We (the Board) have bought and replaced these pickets and tops, to the tune of about $900 bucks. We kind of suspect who it is, since it's a gang of kids, led by one kiddo, who actually tagged his name on the park equipment.

A discussion with the parents went nowhere, their challenge to the Board was, "you can't prove it." When we pointed out the fact that there was an eye witness to the damage ( who wouldn't testify against his neighbor), as well as the kids name on the equipment, of course the parent said, "someone is just trying to get my kid in trouble."

We just replaced yet another 4 pickets, kicked out and busted up. It seems silly to just keep doing this, but we have an otherwise very nice neighborhood, and it looks really ghetto to have broken pickets, so we keep fixing them. They get broken about once a month, maybe once every couple months.

Too many trees and too large a park to mount camera's everywhere, we could replace the entire fence for that cost.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

SJH

Our former Mayor Oscar Goodman suggested surgically removing the thumbs of grafitti vandals
which I kinda agree tho if you remove their arms at the shoulders they should have to feed themselves with their feet.

SallyH3 (Colorado)
Posts: 4

Posted:

Thanks Dean, will explore this idea, I like the camera idea a lot.

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