So I leave a basement light on all the time (its a flourescent type, btw) which lights the driveway a smidge and obviously lights up the basement. There are no switches from the upstairs.
Well recently 3 light bulbs have been stolen from that spot. I usually don’t leave the doors locked because it’s a low traffic area and I don’t have anything of value really. This is not a ‘lock your doors and be safe’ thread.
I decided to booby trap the basement door by putting a ratchet strap across the stairwell entering the basement. It’s in keen shin height as you go from the second to third step down. The fucker will probably break an arm or something.
How fucked am I if this happens? I really want to catch who ever it is in the act. I suspect its the neighbor as the light “shines” onto his house, probably into his 90 year old moms window. But it’s through a frosted block window so it can’t be too much light 40 feet away.
Part of me thinks it’s not him as I have built a fairly decent rapport with all the surrounding neighbors, he even has my phone number for whatever reason. But he is kind of creepy and I don’t think it’s any other neighbors.
Cliffs: someone is coming into my house and taking ONLY the lightbulb, has happened 3 times in the past month. I booby trapped his supposed entrance (could be through the front door though), if he gets hurt trying to B&E am I fucked or just protecting my property?
any other options until a camera becomes available?
stop being a dick, get a motion sensor light for your driveway. even if minimal, there’s no need to waste electricity by having a light on all day when the sun is shining and all night. obviously you’re pissing someone off. They deserve your retaliation for overstepping their boundaries, but you should stop being irrational as well.
intentional booby traps can fuck you if the injured party decides to press the issue.
Now if they happen to trip over something that just kinda happens to be there, say for example a small box you dropped while retrieving stuff from the basement, or some clothes you dropped while doing laundry the other day then their fall is nothing more then an unfortunate accident. An accident which is their damn fault due to them being trespassing shitheads.
Agree with your methods, but also agree with hot rod. You cannot injure / kill someone by setting a trap even though their dumb felonious as shouldn’t be there in the first place. Sore subject for me lately.
First off, I’d just replace the light with a motion light and stop being a dick neighbor.
But, since this has already escalated to criminal trespass I’d also feel the need to take this into my own hands. Fill a water balloon with some blue dye and rig some really fine fishing line on a few pulleys so when the line is pulled the balloon is popped, dropping the dye on the person. Then watch your hood for blue man group wannabe’s.
haha, I like that idea. I did remove the ratchet strap and put a box and some used oil jugs on the top steps though. But I think he is actually using the front door because one of the roommates said he locked the basement door yesterday morning.
If I used the outside light on a trigger it would be bright as hell at all hours of the night because guys are all ways coming home at random hours from the shop. I think that would piss more people off. The bulb I have been using is one CFL bulb that shines through frosted glass blocks so it’s not that bright, plus we park right in front of it anyways.
---------- Post added at 08:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:42 AM ----------
WHY DONT YOU USE ALL CAPS LIKE A FUCKING IDIOT.
I’m not acting like a 12 year old, some random person is coming into my house. locked doors aside that’s fucked up
---------- Post added at 08:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:43 AM ----------
Yeah, you’re the dumbass who knows there’s a dude coming in your house, yet continues to leave your shit unlocked. I really hope that you set up your booby trap, and the dude comes in and just steals your TV instead.
There are so many better alternatives to what you’re suggesting. And since you put this out on a forum, I feel it’s only appropriate we tell you…but your idea is pretty insane…
If this dude trips and goes head first down the stairs, and you find him dead with a broken neck, are you really gone feel justified with a, “Gotcha bitch!” look on your face as you see his lifeless body in your basement?
If so, have at it. At least your T12 bulb/s will be safe…
