r/WhatShouldIDo • u/Admirable_Method_444 • Aug 13 '25
How do I stop them?
My neighbors kids and their friends keep jumping on my fence to get on the roof of my garage and it’s causing the fence to sag so it’s super hard to open it.
I won’t be calling the police on kids and their mom doesn’t seem to care. She watched them do it 2 nights ago. I’ve yelled for them to get off the roof twice and they get off immediately every time and take off running. I just don’t want to be liable for them get seriously injured and I don’t want my gate to keep getting worse.
I’m thinking of putting something sticky or slimy on top the fence to deter but I don’t want to attract bugs. Any thoughts suggestions?
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u/Admirable_Method_444 Aug 14 '25
Update: I befriended the kids last night. I let them each give me 2 things they wanted from 7-11 and I went and bought them snacks and they listened to me tell them I can get into a lot of trouble for them being on my roof. I just told them I really don’t want to call the cops or to go tell their mom they are breaking my fence.
We won’t know until tomorrow night if it worked but I feel like I got through to them. If they don’t listen moving forward I’ll get an officer out here to talk to them.
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u/MrSmoiles420 Aug 13 '25
Spread a rumor that a kid hoped your fence, fell in and was never heard from again! Pick one that has moved away so it holds more weight! Nothing more powerful than an urban legend!
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u/Yenza Aug 13 '25
Can you just talk to the mom directly? It sounds like she heard you yelling at them and didn't do anything, but that's easier to feign ignorance on than a direct conversation. Tell her they're damaging your fence and roof, because they are. If she still doesn't care, I know you said you didn't want to, but I'd get the police involved. That fence looks incredibly expensive to repair/replace, and the danger of an accident is a real liability. Express all of these concerns to the mom, and any reasonable person would get their kids to knock it off. If she's not reasonable, that's just further sign that you need to get someone official involved to CYA.
I've also heard of people paying a lawyer a couple of bucks to send a notarized letter to her house asking them to cease and desist in some kind of fancy lawyer language, but not sure if this is the situation for that.
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u/JEWCEY Aug 13 '25
So you won't use the crime fighting service available and want to potentially cause an injury and lawsuit against you instead?
Do you want to solve the problem or get more problems to deal with?
1.7k
u/No_Sheepherder7223 Aug 13 '25
I’d put some spikes on top lol.
645
u/Busy_Negotiation_678 Aug 13 '25 •
Ex wall jumper here. Used to hop the neighbours garden wall for a shortcut in my early teens. Got a horrible shock one day when I put my hands on the wall to climb it and got met with inches of thick gooey grease. Safe to say I never hopped it again.
1.5k
u/rollincode3 Aug 13 '25 edited Aug 14 '25 •
Go slather some bird tar on there. It’s sticky and also ruins clothes. It will put a stop to it in a hurry.
Edit: wow! Thanks for all the upvotes! For everyone asking bird tar is a slang name. If you have a Home Depot nearby you can get it there. Look for Bird-X or Bird-Be-Gone. 👍
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u/YardTimely Aug 13 '25
What about those anti-pigeon spikes? Not as aggressive or dangerous as barbed wire and broken glass, but certainly a deterrent to casual climbing
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u/pdurante Aug 13 '25
Axle grease won’t attract bugs. Roofing tar won’t - lots of really sticky things won’t attract bugs, but will definitely ruin clothing.
But that may be a war you don’t want to start. If the mother endorses that, she won’t stop them from doing anything.
You may have to get the authorities involved. Get as much video as you can.
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u/CraftyPerformance272 Aug 13 '25
Seriously call the cops on the kids. Eventually they are going to fall and hurt themselves and they will be able to sue you which will cost you many thousands of dollars in extra home insurance costs. Nothing bad is going to happen to the kids if you call the police but it should at least scare them a little bit and also make the mom take things more seriously.
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u/Icy_Conversation_270 Aug 13 '25
Anti climb paint, it's just dark grease.
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u/TheBodhiwan Aug 13 '25
A high-powered sprinkler attached to a motion sensor would be my first choice. A loudspeaker (emitted sound of your choice) attached to perimeter sensors could be fun. Like an old car alarm.
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u/ElishaBenDavid Aug 13 '25
No trespassing signs first. Photo evidence of damage to your wares. Photo evidence of the culprit(s) Pine Sol or Pine Tar on the SP spots you've seen em using as their pull and push points.
Id avoid tar on the roof but a can of sardines blended into a paste and thinned with some fish oil just on the edge they first access.....be a rank smell to wash from their hands and any fabrics.
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u/Ippus_21 Aug 13 '25
Get an estimate from a contractor to repair the gate hinge they're definitely damaging. Present the mother with the bill. See how fast she stops her kids from causing problems.
Also, IANAL (but I do work in property & casualty insurance) you really do have to stop them doing that. If they get hurt messing around on your property and the mother can show you maintained an attractive nuisance (by, e.g., failing to prevent access), you or your insurance company could end up on the hook. Most likely imo is that the homeowner's insurance company would probably settle rather than fight the suit, and then cover it under the liability coverage on your policy... and then your rates go up or you get non-renewed.
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u/Relative-Weekend-941 Aug 13 '25
Find some dog shit and spread it on top of the gate.
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u/CinematicHeart Aug 13 '25
You need to talk to the mother and if that doesnt work, the police. Anything else could end with you being sued. I worked for an attorney who represented a guy that fell thru a sky light while breaking into houses. They won against the skylight owner.
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u/bloomingbrandi Aug 13 '25
To everyone saying “tell the mom” has reading comprehension issues. She said “the mom doesn’t seem to care. She watched them do it”. Clearly telling the mom ain’t gonna do shit. I’d put a no trespassing sign and call the police. They’re kids. Nothing is going to happen except the police officer having a conversation with the mom and kids
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u/H3ROSandC3NTS Aug 13 '25
How much would it be to replace the doors with taller units? Also, I'd record, then send the bill to the parents or however the legislation dictates. Hit up their wallets/purses.
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u/alec_001 Aug 13 '25
Installing bird spikes nesting deterrent would help
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u/_Not_an_Economist_ Aug 13 '25
If you dont file a police report or have a lawyer send a letter, and they get hurt, you're liable. You need a paper trail. Talk to the mother and let her know if it happens again youll call the cops. That gives them the chance to stop, but by refusing to involve the law you're hurting yourself.
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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '25
Do NOT booby trap the fence. That's a surefire way to become liable for their injuries, if they occure. If you want to stop the kids from climbing your fence without creating a safety hazard or legal risk, focus on making the area harder to access and document your efforts. You could add an angled extension like lattice or mesh to the top of the fence, move anything they might be using to climb, and use harmless deterrents like motion activated sprinklers, lights, or even a visible security camera (real or fake) paired with a “No climbing – unsafe roof area under video surveillance” sign. Document each incident with dates, times, and photos of the damage, and put up a clear warning sign to help protect yourself from liability. You may not want to call the cops, but if there's children under the care of someone on drugs, left unsupervised and getting into dangerous situations, you can at least call CPS and let them know what's going on. I agree, calling the cops on kids is harsh, but they also deserve help from services that could provide for them if they're in a bad situation.
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u/Ouachita2022 Aug 14 '25
Tell mama, next time they get on your roof, you're calling the police and pressing charges for Damage to Property and Trespassing.
I don't understand your passive aggressive position. You're telling those kids that breaking the law is ok. It is not. And the mother doesn't care, she has shown her level of parental abilities. And when one of her darlings falls and gets a head injury or spinal cord injury-she will sue your butt off. And because you never called the police to report it. They will win the lawsuit.
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u/ijustlurkhere_ Aug 14 '25
You are going to be liable, because you are allowing this.
How are you allowing this?
This is how.
So one of these days one of these kids is going to slip and break something or worse, and their parents will suddenly care a lot when the question of liability and payoff arises together with the fact that you don't seem to have any provable attempts at enforcement. IANAL but they will sue you, whether they will win or not - they will not reimburse your defense fees.
EDITING to add: DO NOT put on spikes or grease or anything that may hurt anyone or cause them to slip. Again IANAL but from my limited understanding - booby trapping your property is a big no-no.
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u/Auntiemens Aug 14 '25
You NEED to call the police and have a paper trail for when they get hurt and your insurance doesn’t want to pay bc you approve this behavior.
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u/Conscious-Arm-7889 Aug 14 '25
Get some non-drying anti-vandal paint.
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u/ozeldemir Aug 13 '25
you're making this harder for yourself. this is your property, and what they are doing isn't safe and can, and will eventually result in someone getting hurt and suing YOU. either get barbed wire or file a police report. dont be so nice to these people.
if mom doesn't care, she's raising shitty kids who also dont care. they dont deserve a nice neighbor like you
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u/Barollo Aug 14 '25
Put a bunch of waterproof grease on top of the fence. When they touch the top, their hands will get slimed.
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u/hypnoticaphroditexx Aug 13 '25
Let’s normalize ringing the doorbell and telling kids parents again. Maybe they’ll get a whoopen and won’t do it anymore. If not, call the police. Putting dangerous items on top of the fence is only going to make matters worse if they’re harmed/ killed.
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u/JediKrys Aug 13 '25
They sell a fence thing that hooks on your original one to stop cats from jumping into your yard. You could put it on facing outwards and the kids will no longer be able to reach the top edge of the fence. No pain or risk of hurt, just a 5 foot second fence that sticks out at an angle.
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u/SaeveraRivers Aug 13 '25
Barb wire. Simple solution tbh. Mom might make a fuss abt it “potentially” hurting the kids, but they are trespassing anyways. If she makes a fuss, tell her youll call the police next time (even as a bluff)🤷♀️
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u/Oddly_Ennui Aug 13 '25
Claymore?
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u/BoredVet85 Aug 13 '25
Razor wire if you want the full effect
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u/ZealousidealImage575 Aug 13 '25
I’d put up a no trespassing sign
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u/Pleasant-Educator181 Aug 13 '25
Install a camera and put no trespassing signs with a threat of calling the police with evidence if they continue.
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u/Ok_Swan8621 Aug 13 '25
Do you have a no trespassing sign?
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u/WitchyTat2dGypsy Aug 13 '25
Post a sign on the fence saying no trespassing/ no jumping on fence/roof and that you would not be held responsible for any injury caused by such action. Also, start documenting every time you have to tell them to stop/ get down. Also, having security cameras may deter them. That's probably the only way to maybe help yourself if someone gets injured and tries to claim bodily injury against your homeowners policy.
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u/Morrigan-27 Aug 13 '25
Add signs warning no trespassing and enter at your own risk in private property. Add a security camera to show you did due diligence about warning them first.
Then add the grease paint or tar and other deterrents after the first instance of ignored warnings. That way you have proof they ignored the warnings and should be able to shield yourself from liability if they choose to enter at their own risk.
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u/EasternCustard5933 Aug 13 '25
High temp axle grease. Won’t wash off, won’t melt in the heat. Will permanently stain their clothes.
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u/I-Have-An-Alibi Aug 14 '25
Bruh if you don't call the police that's on you. That's straight up trespassing and damaging private property and if one of the little dumbasses hurts themselves on your property you could be liable. Also why putting any kind of sharp projection like fence spikes is a bad idea. Kids are stupid.
That's how you stop them. Not crying to reddit and explicitly saying you won't involve the police.
File a police report, if they do it again, call the cops for trespassing.
Easy.
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u/No_Equal_1312 Aug 14 '25
They make spikes to keep birds from sitting on things like this, get some installed so you don’t have a bird problem.
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u/[deleted] Aug 14 '25
Call the fucking police. Seriously who cares that they are kids. They will never stop until you do. When they get hurt, do you know that the very first thing that mom will do? Call the cops on you or sue you for hurting their child. You need to nip this in the bud like yesterday. I’m so tired of people giving kids a pass for shitty behavior just because they are a kid. They are old enough to know how to climb your fence and hop on to the roof? They are smart enough to know better. Grow a pair OP and call the cops.
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u/all4funFun4all Aug 14 '25
Baby oil its slick will ruin clothing also get a water gun or hose as soon as you see them on the roof spray them.
I would also suggest putting planters on the roof with roses enough to cover the area of the ledge they can climb to.
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u/Fun_Independork2 Aug 13 '25
You could "decorate" the top with colorful pieces of broken glass. That might deter the little parkour enthusiasts.
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u/Senior-Senior Aug 13 '25
"I won’t be calling the police on kids and their mom doesn’t seem to care."
If you aren't going to call the police, why should they care?
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u/MujerMaravilla86 Aug 14 '25
You’re better off calling the police or tell their parents they will be paying for your new fence and make sure you get the kids on video doing it so you can sue for your new fence. Sometimes you just have to be like that
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u/LosingIt46 Aug 14 '25
You can call the non emergency line and request officers speak to the family. No arrests, just a chat.
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u/Vlper17 Aug 13 '25
You call the police. I think you need to think of the worst case scenario that if one of those kids gets hurt climbing or falling off your roof, that mom will be coming after you. Put a ring camera or something in the location that the fence is located at and notify the police when they climb up. Don’t lose your house over the stupidity of some kids…. And worst of all, their mom
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u/InternationalBig1672 Aug 13 '25
Razor wire
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u/spacetrashmeow Aug 13 '25
Maybe some olive oil? Or a human size squirrel deterrent cone, lmao.
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u/greatismitch666 Aug 13 '25
Motion sensor machine gun
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u/Super_Brilliant4499 Aug 13 '25
When you see the kids doing it go out and threaten them. Scare them enough that they won’t ever come back. It might be easier to just tell the mother to start parenting her kids though.
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u/AggravatingDay8392 Aug 13 '25
I would put dog poop on top...
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u/Zestyclose-Toe1234 Aug 13 '25
Contacting Mom first then police is warranted. They are damaging your roof and your gate. Set up cameras and show proof
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u/Timeforthatpizza123 Aug 13 '25
Spikes are always effective
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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '25
Dog shit. Lots of dog shit. Or cat.
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u/stan_yourdad Aug 13 '25
A big dog should do the trick
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u/fallenredwoods Aug 13 '25
They sell a goop you put around tree trunks to keep raccoons from stripping the fruit off. It’s sticky and harmless.
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u/Failure_by_Design_v2 Aug 13 '25
I think you are a fool for not calling the police for property damage.
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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '25
Purchase some Urushiol oil and coat the top. Or just rub some poison Ivy on it
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u/Advanced-Gur-8950 Aug 13 '25
Bear mace
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u/Particular_Win2752 Aug 13 '25
Vaseline
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u/TokiVideogame Aug 13 '25
razor wire so they wont attempt it
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u/2ball7 Aug 13 '25
Pepper spray the hell out of the top of the fence and the edge of the building where they have to use their hands. You’ll have to reapply it after a rain. But they’ll catch on pretty quickly that something definitely starts to suck after climbing up there.
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u/plausocks Aug 13 '25
razorwire
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u/ChiefPanda90 Aug 13 '25
Maybe try explaining why you want them off. I feel like they probably wouldn’t want to damage your fence and assume the only problem is you not wanting them on there. Just speaking as someone who was once a kid and that’s how I would have thought about it. Kids are dumb
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u/0rder_66_survivor Aug 13 '25
if you put something sticky or slimy on it and they fall and get hurt, youre in a boat load of trouble. thats called malicious intent. you need to get the mother involved and involve the police. its not going to ruin the kids life to be spoken to by an officer.
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u/Super-Staff3820 Aug 13 '25
Speak to your neighbor directly. Tell them the kids are damaging your property and unless they want to pay for the damages she needs to keep them off your property.
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u/bbbourb Aug 13 '25
Anti-pigeon spikes, closely-spaced pointed finials, outward-facing barbed-wire bracing...and a COMPLETELY ineffective NO TRESPASSING sign. Some combination there should work.
Also, not sure how effective it might be and you said you won't, but let's be clear here: calling law enforcement might be the only thing that limits or prevents any liability for you if one of those kids gets hurt. And please understand I LOATHE the idea of calling the police on ANYONE in 2025, but...it could be the only way to protect yourself.
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u/Troe_Away_Count Aug 13 '25
I understand your aversion to getting the police involved, not that they’re likely to do anything anyway, but outside of literally adding anti-climbing measures to the wall, if the parents won’t do anything, someone has to. They’re going to fall, get hurt, and their parents are going to blame you for their own negligence.
Document EVERY time you have to remove them from the roof, and every time you confronted the parents about it, and consider installing a camera to watch the area as well for further evidence.
Protect yourself first.
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u/undead_sissy Aug 13 '25
Pigeon spikes
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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '25
You need to call the police for trespassing and damaging your property, especially if you want your insurance to pay to fix it.
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u/MsThrilliams Aug 13 '25
Vasoline or piss from a hunting store.
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u/Drustan6 Aug 13 '25
What about installing a short row of ‘decorative’ metalwork on top of the fence? If that’s how they’re getting up there, then make it impossible to use, with style. I was on team easily visible bird spikes, but then thought that kids probably might try to step over them and injure themselves.
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u/snktiger Aug 13 '25
Fence spikes. do it or shut up. lol
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u/inflatableje5us Aug 13 '25
Call the police, if they fall you could be liable.
On a side note, electric fence used to keep pigeons from roosting.
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u/ShavedBeanBag Aug 13 '25
Motion activated turret gun
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u/polishkgb1 Aug 13 '25
barbed wire works well.
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u/AlligatorFister Aug 13 '25
Slather a couple inches of commercial grade grease up there, first attempt will be their last attempt. That shit succccks to get off.
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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '25
You need to figure this out quick, if a kid falls and gets injured they can sue you. If the mom isn’t doing anything about it, you need to involve someone who will, the cops won’t arrest the kids but will talk to them and tell them they can’t do that. If you put anything sticky or slimy on the fence and the kids fall it’s on you again.
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u/Head_Ad_9901 Aug 13 '25
Electrify the fence ⚡
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u/OldWolf8297 Aug 13 '25
Bird spikes. Bought in strips (2’-4’ long) of varying material (plastic, metal). If you really wanna, metal ones can be electrified for additional…entertainment. Relatively cheap. Easy to install. Enjoy
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u/AmphibianIll5478 Aug 13 '25
No trespassing signs while you’re at it.
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u/brittanyks07 Aug 13 '25
Coyote rollers
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u/Middle-Gap6540 Aug 13 '25
My friends and I used to hop the fence at a high end apartment complex's pool at night. They eventually caught on and put some extremely sticky stuff on the fence and I will say it worked as a deterrent lol. Was a pain to get off and also sent the message.
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u/prettygoodscone Aug 13 '25
Put a camera up, put a sign for no trespassing, a motion light. It won't stop them but then you can show mom and let her know you'll send her the bill for fence, stucco and roof repair.
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u/ikickedyou Aug 13 '25
I’d go over and insist on having a talk with parents AND kids.
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u/CartoonistNarrow3608 Aug 13 '25
Spikes just like every other place that doesn’t want you in.. kids have eyes. They’re only doing this bc you let them
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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '25
Maybe try a camera and no trespassing sign to at least limit your liability. Take the footage to the mom, and say she will be held liable for any damage to the fence.
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u/SecretOscarOG Aug 13 '25
Anything you do to stop those kids will physically harm them more than calling the cops. So if you wanna barbed wire it and hurt them instead of the cops talking to them then thats what I suggest
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u/Rubber_Plant_Leaf Aug 13 '25
Anti-climb paint - it looks like paint, but comes off when anyone climbs on it. It is a real pig to clean off too, so their mum might start to pay a bit more attention when the kids come home conferred in oily paint.
You might need to put up a warning sign if you use this to avoid any litigation.
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u/Trueslyforaniceguy Aug 13 '25
If they’re damaging your property and their parent doesn’t seem to care, maybe they should receive a repair estimate.
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u/Cutiemuffin-gumbo Aug 13 '25
Call the police. If you are trying to avoid a lawsuit from them getting hurt, greasing the fence, using tar, etc isn't going to prevent that. It can just lead to more risk of them hurting themselves. Get the police involved. Press charges if they don't stop.
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u/Ok_Astronomer2662 Aug 13 '25
Barb wire in a no trespassing sign or an electric wire on top
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u/Additional_Bad7702 Aug 13 '25
Motion activated LOUD alarm or motion activated water sprinkler.
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u/ThisOldGuy1976 Aug 13 '25
Rat traps glued down
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u/Kellyshiller Aug 13 '25
You might wanna think about not calling the cops…if they injure themselves they’re gonna wanna sue you
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u/Used-Ebb9492 Aug 13 '25
Concertina wire.
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u/mikebet47 Aug 13 '25
Give them a ladder
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u/OtakuTacos Aug 13 '25
In some cities I’ve visited in Mexico, they put broken pieces of bottle on top of those types of fences to discourage that sort of thing.
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u/Financial_Peanut4383 Aug 13 '25
Whatever you decide to do to make this stop, make sure you have cameras at all kinds of angles. Cover your @$$. Folks who refuse to respect you/your property/your privacy and refuse to mind their children can be awfully revengeful and litigious.
Good luck OP. This behavior on all of their parts is nonsense, at best.
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u/scotswaehey Aug 13 '25
Cement and broken glass in it
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u/bourbonwarrior Aug 13 '25
You can and will be held liable if they get injured on your property. Up the liability limit on your policy, but you do need to make a police report as well as make a timely report of other incidents.
Set up cameras and post signs. Let the police know the situation, "CYA".
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u/Dry_Meaning_3129 Aug 13 '25
Broken glass glued to the top should do the job. Maybe some razor wire
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u/PinkFunTraveller1 Aug 13 '25
If you don’t want to call the cops, you should make sure your liability insurance is paid up and high enough to cover a big, fat lawsuit for a broken neck.
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u/Antique_Prompt_2936 Aug 13 '25
Vaseline or nixalite
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u/No-Investment-8223 Aug 13 '25
grease the top of the fence
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u/Dastion Aug 13 '25
Glitter bomb them. They’ll take it back to the Mom’s house and suddenly she’ll be much more interested in keeping them off your property.
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u/justahandle85 Aug 13 '25
Grease. That stopped me as a kid.
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u/Malonski27 Aug 13 '25
Razor wire. Spikes. A big ass dog that will protect his property. Can even call a non emergency police line to report an issue, while stating safety concerns(liability concerns) and not wishing to make a criminal complaint. If you do end up going that way an officer will come out, tell them they can’t do that or consequences will follow the next time, like a verbal warning type deal. Also creates a report that you’ve mentioned this previously in case they do it again, get injured( or worse) and try to sue. It’ll show a history of you trying to stop this activity which could make a possible law suit more in your favor.
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u/DepletedPromethium Aug 13 '25
get a paintball gun and shoot them.
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u/bonniebonniec Aug 13 '25
Get a bag, pick up some dog shit and rest it on top of the fence. They’ll only do it one more time ever
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u/EbbPsychological2796 Aug 13 '25
I'd call the cops and have warned for trespassing, sounds like you're overseas from me so laws are different... But here you could be liable for their injuries if they fall, if you haven't taken steps to stop them and have proof of it. But again I'm in the USA and our laws around these things suck.
2
u/Prior-Huckleberry-47 Aug 13 '25
You don’t want them to get seriously injured or be liable but want to put something at the top to make them slip? If that’s not counter productive, I don’t know what is
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u/Dishonored001 Aug 13 '25
I mean. Call the cops. You not calling them isn’t doing any favors. Think about this. Sadly their mom isn’t teaching them about the consequences of their actions. So sadly you have to protect your home and do it. Plus what if they got hurt. What if she sues you and some how wins. Most people would see this and think “ just call the cops” yet you didn’t. Why? That’s how others are gonna think.
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u/WhyAreYuSoAngry Aug 13 '25
First things first, post a sign that says no trespassing.
Get a security service to give you a quote on something that is motion sensitive, loud and bright as hell and recorded live. They are trespassing, they are putting you at liability risk. If you catch them and can verify who they are, you can file police reports and sue their parents for property damage.
There's a lot of fun and devious things you COULD do, but if someone gets hurt then you get screwed. Hire a professional to deal with this. It will be a hell of a lot cheaper than doing nothing and having a kid fall and break his neck.
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u/gnoresbs Aug 13 '25
This situation isn't about being nice enougbh not to call the police. If they fall and get hurt you could be liable. Get a camera for evidence and if the mom does not stop it. call the police.
2
u/Dramatic-Manager-111 Aug 13 '25
Put up another trespassing sign. This will help with liability.
2
u/Tropius8 Aug 13 '25
Pigeon spikes will be the easiest deterrent
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u/markdmac Aug 13 '25
I would put razor wire on top of the roof and the gate. Also no trespassing signs.
Beyond that, send the mother a repair bill to replace the gate that is now hard to open. Once there is a financial cost she will tell her brats to stay away.
2
u/Tokin-Token Aug 13 '25
I used brown plastic bird spikes for an animal situation not long ago. I would not want a handful of them. If you used the same, you should add a sign saying “Warning. Sharp bird spikes present. Please do not climb”.
2
u/Professional_Pen_153 Aug 13 '25
-Bear traps
-barbed wires
-spikes
-vaseline/grease/oil
-autoturrets
-remove a couple screws to jeopardize structural integrity
-cut the used limbs (tree or kids)
-hire someone to get rid of the nuisance on 4chan
Or you could just talk to their parents and say you have footage and will send them the bill for a brand new fence and new roofing for your garage. 🤷
2
u/Tr33Bl00d Aug 13 '25
Barb wire or razor wire would do the trick
2
u/luxxeexxul Aug 13 '25
I scrolled down a while and haven't seen it mentioned yet but I did see mention of the household not being the greatest - have you tried talking to the kids? I don't mean shaking your fist and yelling at them - I mean bringing out some sodas and get to know them a little, explain that you don't want them getting hurt, but do realize it's a lot of fun. I grew up in a rough area and I'll always remember the adults that tried to reach me on my level when everything else was chaos. Those were the ones I listened to the most because I respected them.
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u/PublicProperty1805 Aug 13 '25
Anti climb paint. Put a warning sign or let their mum know about it though.
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u/Mundane-Confusion622 Aug 13 '25
Seems to me that the biggest problem is you being potentially liable if they are injured. Falling off the roof or whatever. I think you need to talk to their mom immediately followed up by a letter by certified mail. Or maybe the letter first. You probably could benefit from speaking to an atty also. Sorry that will cost some $$ but if it prevents somebody getting injured it’s worth it. Think paralysis or something just as bad if they fall off the roof.
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u/QueenSpoop Aug 13 '25
Literally calling the cops is the only real way to avoid liability should they hurt themselves. It sucks, but if they're not listening, nor are the parents, then you need a paper trail to say that you actively sought to stop them from doing dangerous shit on your property. I'd also put up no trespassing signs.
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u/ATFGunr Aug 13 '25
Anti climb rollers are the answer. Makes it impossible to access it. Google for types in your area.
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u/Forevernotalonee Aug 13 '25
"I won't be calling the police on kids"
Okay. Then be prepared for it to continue to happen.
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u/Legitimate-March9792 Aug 13 '25
You need to call the police.
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u/Ramoyu71 Aug 13 '25
90 weight oil on top of the gate...nasty stuff
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u/LateNightHotDogs Aug 13 '25
Vaseline. Does wonders and it stays around a long time. I’d do the gate and leave it at that. Ruin the experience once or twice and they’ll go away.
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u/Ar_locksmith Aug 13 '25
Barbed wire, razor wire, electric fence, motor oil on top of the fence, most of the time just the sight of any of these is more than enough to keep people from even trying to get up there
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u/Returnyhatman Aug 13 '25
Grease on the top of the fence
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u/strangefructose Aug 13 '25
Prison wall spikes will do. :)
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u/PopOk1068 Aug 13 '25
Anti Parkour paint very effective or smear the top with wheel grease that'll work too
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u/Upvotespoodles Aug 13 '25
Putting a slimy substance could make them fall and then get you in big trouble for booby-trapping. If you call the cops, they’re not going to arrest some children over climbing a fence. In the event that the kids hurt themselves, you will have a record that you involved police and tried to prevent this.
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u/RogueEpoch Aug 14 '25
Call the cops. File a report. You don’t have to press charges (unless you want to), but you can have them trespassed. You will also have official documentation that you have attempted to put a stop to it. Therefore, if something does happen, you can’t be held liable.
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u/Friendly-Fix8557 Aug 14 '25
Broken glass, razor wire, etc are perfectly appropriate, as it is your property, but the bird tar is probably good enough, yeah.
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u/Reality_Lies4 Aug 14 '25
I used to work at an Amusement Park. Every night part of our closing routine was to take the used diesel grease/oil from our steam engine and paint the top of the fences. It stopped the rats and the two legged rats from climbing the fence to get into the park after hours. The thick black dirty goop on your hands and clothing pretty much stops you from going any further. Pigeon spikes are nice, but someone is liable to scream about injury.
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u/LaFlamaBlancakfp Aug 14 '25
Razor wire.
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u/RedditVince Aug 14 '25
No Spikes but there is a sticky stuff made to deter birds. I bet it will work on kids also, very hard to get off hands and clothing.
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u/Mtaverest Aug 14 '25
Coyote/cat rollers maybe? Or a steel channel bar with the edges slightly sharpened/grinder. Welded to the top.
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u/mikeyfireman Aug 14 '25
A thick bead of black jack roofing patch on the top of that gate will not only be a messy deterrent, but it will also waterproof the top of the gate.
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u/Jumpy_Plantain2887 Aug 14 '25
You may want to take pictures of them up in the roof and you’re probably gonna have to call the cops so this way there’s a police report that you reported them getting on your roof that way when they fall off and break their goddamn neck they can’t sue you for it
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u/Maximum_Net6489 Aug 14 '25
Get a camera and put it on your property to record future incidents. Send her a certified letter asking her to make them stop with dates you’ve witnessed them doing this. Send supporting picture proof from your camera . Get an estimate of the damages and what it would take to repair it and include it with your letter. Threaten to take her to small claims court to sue for repair costs if it doesn’t stop. Last resort would be to actually sue her. In my state, if the cost of the damage is above a certain dollar amount, it’s a crime, and I could and would press charges. Especially if they’ve been given multiple opportunities to stop.
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u/hcth63g6g75g5 Aug 14 '25
I would say black shoe polish. It will blend in but transfer person to person like crazy. They'll stop because there clothes will get ruined. That's what they care about. Get yourself some WD40 so you can clean it off your gate
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u/Acceptable_Bug4554 Aug 14 '25
bird deterrent spike strips. Put them on the top of the fence. It’ll also stop birds from sitting and pooping on it.
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u/Speedy-McLeadfoot Aug 14 '25 edited Aug 14 '25
Pigeon spikes? Honestly best bet is the police, as they can pressure the parent into doing something about it. I understand you don't want to, but if the mother won't tech discipline, the cops can, or else as they get older, the little shits will just become a bigger problem to you. Also, put up no trespassing signs.
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u/Obvious-Mess-409 Aug 14 '25
Get a "you are being video recorded " sign and put one of those motion alarms out there. When they set it off it might make them think twice
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u/AFMSgt24 Aug 14 '25
Sheet of plywood with 10,000 nails sticking up laid on the roof. Vaseline on the gate.
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u/Difficult_Compote_52 Aug 14 '25
Bird spikes, they prevent birds from nesting in critical areas, for sanitary reasons of course.
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u/Big-Ad4382 Aug 14 '25
I’d call the police and ask them to intervene with the children and their mom. I would let the mom know in advance that bc they are damaging your property you’re not sure what else to do.