How to Prevent Trespassing

Trespassing can be dangerous.

Trespassers not only violate the right of an owner to exclude certain parties from his property; they also risk their own safety and that of others, depending on the facility in question. A pool, for example, should be protected from trespass to prevent tragic accidents, not just invasive pool parties. The inmates of a prison or zoo are best kept behind their respective gates and fences: Trespass into these facilities can lead to as much danger for the trespasser as for those inside the barriers. How to enforce boundaries poses a challenge for farmers, homeowners and facility administrators seeking to balance effective and safe measures with a budget.

Things You'll Need

• Fencing: barbed wire, electric, wood or chain link
• Paint
• Signage

Instructions

1. Establish boundaries, such as the outer limits of a property line. Also make note of any laws permitting access to ramblers, for example, who enjoy a right of access through rural property along certain assigned pathways.

2. Select an appropriate form of boundary marker. Consider the importance of what you aim to protect as well as your obligations of protection to the public. In the case of a zoo or prison, electrifying a fence may not seem unduly severe. For boundaries laid out as courteous clarification, where little concern about illegal entry exists, basic wooden fencing may suffice. To keep costs down, merely paint boundary lines according to a state-selected color coding system. For example, in some places, purple paint marks rocks, trees, grass and structural landmarks in such a way that those passing by will definitely see these indicators.

3. Add signage, or choose signage in place of fencing or paint. This option works best for small areas, such as houses on very little land. The addition of signs will augment any other measures to indicate the wishes of property owners or institutional administrators to keep the public out of certain areas, whether permanently or temporarily, as in the case of wild animal alerts or nesting times in national parks.

Tips & Warnings

• Other ways to prevent trespassing include joining organizations which help each other to enforce laws. Also, make sure you lease property to reliable individuals who will not encourage inappropriate use of your land such as poaching. Also, if tourists who speak and read foreign languages concern you, such as at a zoo or public park, ensure that signage depicts universal images that overcome these challenges.

• For landowners who fail to maintain property or check up on it, trespassing can become a big problem. It is up to individuals to make their farms, estates and other lands look as though someone lives there and could wander through at any time to catch illegal entry.

References

• ENotes.com: Trespassing
• Tradekey: Uses & Types of Wire Mesh Fences
• Homesteading with Ozarkguy: No Trespassing Means Keep Out