Halloween Discussion Forums, Costumes, Horror!

Hi, My friends and I are amatuer yard haunters. Last year, we spend months planning haunting our yard, only to have some middle schoolers come in and destroy most of it while we were taking a break. Any suggustions on how to stop things like this from happening in the future? Any help would be much appreciated

Take breaks in shifts, or pay a neighbor kid to keep a lookout while you rest.

Alright, thanks And the Head on a stick thing is an excellent idea for a prop.

I'm more in favor of Spooky's idea. It's more in line with the season. Granted, you may have to answer some uncomfortable questions the next day, but won't the satisfaction of an undisturbed haunt be worth it?

I put up temporary fence around most of the front yard. It's only held in place with u-posts, and someone could pretty easily get around it or knock it down, but it has helped deter thefts the past two or three years. If someone wants to get in to steal anything, they either have to knock it down, which makes too much noise, or walk straight up the driveway, which is more exposure than a thief normally wants.

If they're just bent on destruction, fill up some super soakers with vinegar, and hide in the bushes waiting for them...

That is sad. I know kids play pranks, but it is still wrong. Punks.

I agree with taking shifts. Did they trash it during the night, or did you just go inside for a little while? If they are bold enough to do it while you are there, I'm not sure anything will stop them.
Hide and try to catch them.
Scare the <deleted> out of them.
Figure out who they are and call their parents or cops if they are taking stuff.

I use a few surveillance cameras hooked into my computer to alert me when someone is near my graveyard. A software program will send me an email and updates a website with images when motion is detected. The most expensive part was the camera from menards. The software was $20. I at least can record a face if they do harm. Plus I use a white flood light on a motion sensor if anyone is in my graveyard.

You can also use a motion sensor with an indoor alarm. It's wireless so the light is outside and the alarm plugs in inside. Found one at Home Depot. About $30.

A small sign in the yard "Under video surveillance" helps as well.

Good luck. I worry about vandalism every year.

My suggestion would be to either only put up decorations you don't mind getting trashed or stolen... or wait to set up 'till "the big day". I do the latter. I set up a "garage haunt" in the garage. In the evening, I just close the garage. The only time I have to worry about theft is when my garage is open-- but I'm usually there with several other people...