Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Thievery at my pond

Bushnell now makes an infrared digital game camera. A well concealed one, along with a bear safe, may do the trick. Check Bass Pro for details.

If somebody just found a way to get a cheap patio, versus actually having to buy one... It strikes me that you could make them not oh-so-attractive to the thieves by painting them. So if persons were taking them for use in their yard, they may be less appealing if they were streaked with spray paint. Or even get a template made with your name on it and paint identifying marks on the slabs.

Sunil, I feel your pain with access via an old railbed. I suffer the same with the one that runs along my property. Being converted into a walking path did nothing but promote the area and make things worse.

As for your slabs... am I reading correctly that these are not actually on your property? If this is the case I'd say you'd have something of a hard time getting law enforcement to help you in regards to 'slabs' used to dam a stream that isn't on your own property. Going with some manner of deterant (non-harmful) is likely your best choice.

People will steal just about anything... I see people taking plant cuttings, stones, etc. from property along roads all the time. Somehow they think that if they can get to it whilst still being on the public part of the road property that it is fair game.

Sorry that I haven't answered the recent questions/posts.

Haus, I will get some pics posted, however, it will be at least several weeks

Bill C., I just got the slabs from a local supply house; they are about 1.5" to 2" thick; or were you asking something else? :-)

Nick, We had actually put a small spray paint mark on each slab prior to putting them onto the damn. I should be able to identify them if I ever see them again. But after your suggestion, I had my caretaker man spray paint the hell out of the remaining slabs with some vile orange color. Thanks for that idea.

Pottsy, the general concensus (including your input) seems to be that the Rails to Trails thing basically sucks for adjacent land owners. I was really hoping this would improve the morals of the track users if it formally went through; I guess not.

Also Pottsy, you are correct in that the stream is actually not on my property. However, the local state police really seem to want to help for several reasons. Most likely the thieves have other bad acts connected with them, and this theft gives the police more to lump on the perps. The police also want upstanding citizens who will actually testify in court if needed.

I'm certain now that we won't be building a weekend home at this site. In fact, we are starting a more active search for another suitable property.

The only problem is now that I've become a total pond freak, I must have at least a 5+ acre pond with the potential to make it over 10 acres, or something larger.

The other problem is that I've got my fish man coming with a 1,000 jumbo bluegill next week (hope the ice thaws), and (50) 2-3lb. SMB a few weeks later. If I end up getting a new place, I'm going to take every fish I can from the existing pond and move 'em to the new one.

Thanks guys.

It's a hard thing when you have a nice size pond and property and you are afraid to build there for risk of theft/damage... a real shame.

Sunil,
the easy answer to theft proof these pieces of concrete....make them bigger...sl
I do like the antifreeze idea!
you can also fill some gas cans w/water and top off w/gas.
I still like the Anti freeze idea...sl

another thought, is it possibile that these pieces are just sliding into the water, and are just out of view? why not steal a piece that is above the water line and not stand in frezzing water?...sl

has anyone seen the fake security cameras that sell for about 9$ with motion detectors to make them look real? I was wondering if they might deter someone from coming on to your property? I saw them in northern tool and equipment.

Sunil,
I will bet your slabs are at the bottom of your pond!

One thing that thieves seem to have in common is: They're all pretty lazy. I can't imagine anybody stupid enough to steal concete slabs. Wait a minute, thieves are all pretty stupid too. Maybe your local thieves are more stupid than they are lazy?

Any flatwork contractors in your area would be glad to have a place to get rid of slabs thay take out when they pour new patios or sidewalks. Keep hauling them in and see how long the thieves haul them away!

Brad B.

I've spent a lot of my life outdoors and I am sure that with or without snow you could tell from the tracks (not RR tracks) if these were being carried away or not. There is no way that thieves under the influence of anything or not wouldn't drop these or set them down along their path. Even if they didn't they would clearly walk differently. Even if you did pick up a pattern on their activities you would be well advised to wait for them a night.

The way it is in Wisconsin if they hurt their backs stealing them I would be liable. I would rather scare the hell out of them because they wouldn't report it for fear of facing trespass charges.