This true story is from 2018, but it’s important to share because it shows a different side of society. Some people are highly protective of their lawns and gardens and cannot tolerate even a minor inconvenience that could ruin their property.
A man in Virginia took this to a whole new level by installing an electric fence around his yard to keep the kids off.
As the school year began, residents of a Henrico neighborhood learned that a man living next to the school bus stop had put up an electric fence around his yard to keep the students at the bus stop off his property, according to WRIC.
The Sandston man, named Bryan, said he was sick of the high school students. He said the boys curse each other, start fights, and throw litter at the bus stop and in his yard.
“They don’t respect other peoples’ land,” Bryan said. “I pick up trash every day.”
He told WRIC that he was not in charge of other people’s children. “I can’t direct them what do. All I could do was protect myself, and that’s why I’ve got the fence up.”
People living in the neighborhood weren’t pleased with this act, and they were not convinced of his logic. They said it was selfish of him to do such a thing, and it was dangerous as he didn’t even put up any warning sign.
According to WRIC, the electrified fence stood only inches away from where the kids used to wait for the bus, and it was highly likely that they could unknowingly touch the fence or even fall on it.
“It was perilous. People could have died.” Said one angry resident.
So, the neighbors called the police due to the outrage and informed them of the entire situation. The police arrived and checked with Henrico’s public works department to determine if the fence extended to a public easement.
The county looked into the matter and found out that it was encroaching on the easement, which was illegal. So, it needed to be taken down.
However, they said he’s allowed to put it back up if it only stayed within his property limits.
So, Bryan had to take down the fence, not because it was unsafe for the students and passersby, but because it was not within his property limits.
“I went ahead and moved it today because it was not in the right place,” he said.
He said he put up a few signs earlier for the kids to stop trespassing his property, but they were of no use.
“Nothing stops people,” he said.
The whole fence thing also caused an uproar on social media, and people criticized Bryan for being so insensitive towards other people, especially children.
“I touched it, and I got a slight shock. It wasn’t that great,” James Mehfoud, who also lives in the same neighborhood, said. “I understand his concern. I just don’t think he understood the neighbors’ concern about their kids. One could touch it, fall into it, and get shocked.”
Bryan said he would consider putting up another fence if needed, but he hoped he would not have to do so.
“The message has gotten across,” he said. “Parents are posting and talking about it.”
What are your thoughts on this story? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Keep off other people’s property and there will be no problems. PROBLEM SOLVED!
I agree! Teach your children boundaries and respect for others things! They had no business In his yard.
Parents need to be telling their kids to respect his property & privacy! The fence was erected to protect what he owns. How would people like it if other kids were sitting in their car at the bus stop ??? It’s his property, teach your kids about boundaries!
I feel that’s his right . It’s HIS prop and now that he’s not breaking any laws. He can do what he wants. Parents can and should teach their children morals, right and wrong, respect. Etc. Put a cop on that corner and ticket those disrespecting brats not to litter.
And move the bus stop down one or two houses and see how they like it
Well Let’s think about it, if it was your yard you would be mad Too!!!! Parents these days have Failed to show and TEACH there children RESPECT!!
He has every right. An electric fence wilk give a slight shock but does not “hurt”. NOBONE WILL DIE from this type of fence.
More often than not these days, if a kid got hurt and was on his property waiting for the bus, the larents would file a lawsuit AND WOULD WIN….even though they were in the wrong!!
Maybe if respect of other people’s property was a priority of parents, this would not be necessary.
That’s what’s wrong with children today. Parents don’t teach them to respect other people or their property. When these children grow up most of them feel entitled to continue what they were allowed to do by their PARENTS as children.
Why do parents not take control of the language kids use today? That’s a parental problem. Kids learn from examples they have at home.
I see both sides, but the very parents that are outraged are the very parents who failed to instill manners and a respect for private property. It’s his property, he should be able to put up an electric fence. However, he should put up a warning also.
I think this story has made enough publicity that anyone living near this person is probably aware by now.
Good for him! Parents need to stop complaining about him and his fence and teach their children to respect others and their property.
Parents need to teach their kids manners and respect for other people’s property and belongings and this man would not have had to go to this extreme. I actually understand where he’s coming from. If it’s a low voltage shock, by all means go for it! They may do it once but not twice. If it’s hi ampage. Then no that’s more than a warning to people to stay off.
Set up the shock to feel like a tongue on a 9 volt battery. That should stop them, will not kill anyone. As kids, we all or most have done the 9volt battery test.
I agree with Bryan. If he works hard to maintain his home and lawn etc. why shouldn’t he be able to protect his investment. Maybe more parents and adults should teach kids, and model, respect for the property of others.
With the amount of disrespect from children and people these days I find I would do that too. Everybody is so offended about everything. Everybody is so entitled to do or think or feel whatever the hell they want nowadays it’s outrageous. Thankfully I don’t live in an area where I’d have to do this however I commend this man. Good for you. People should learn to start respecting peoples places stuff homes land persons etc.
If I lived in this neighborhood and he did that I would understand. I would also make sure my children were not the kids disrespecting him and his property. He has every right and if your kid got shocked then you would know your child is being disrespectful.
My blood boiled as I read this story. Why are the kids not held accountable any more? Parents aren’t allowed to discipline them and neither is anyone else. Everyone places blame everywhere except where it needs to be addressed. Kids aren’t stupid… doesn’t anyone understand that they are very much aware that no one has control? I thank God I never had kids.
I think school stops and city bus stop should try to be the same because having kids in front of people houses disrespecting people I mean what if he won’t of been so nice and just used his second amendment right off hand. Teenagers need to learn boundaries because it seems like they don’t understand