Stolen American flag

[striker55]

Within 5 days I had two American flags taken off of my house. I have a camera and didn't get the criminal. He stole the first one around 2 am using a metal chair from my neighbors yard to reach it. He was able to break the plastic holder by pulling down the flag and then the pole. Second one he was able to reach the flag and pull the pole and holder from the house. I thought sure my camera would get pictures but now that I look it's dark between my house and bushes. About a year ago another neighbor had his flag pulled down and thrown in the road. I hope karma gets this guy.

[der Teufel]

Fence Charger

[oljames3]

Fence Charger

While potentially emotionally satisfying, this is probably not be legal under Texas law. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/SOTW ... m/PE.9.htm

Sec. 9.44. USE OF DEVICE TO PROTECT PROPERTY. The justification afforded by Sections 9.41 and 9.43 applies to the use of a device to protect land or tangible, movable property if:

(1) the device is not designed to cause, or known by the actor to create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious bodily injury; and

(2) use of the device is reasonable under all the circumstances as the actor reasonably believes them to be when he installs the device.

[jason812]

Fence Charger

Yep a plug in model should keep squirrels from messing with your flag. You can use them for pest or livestock control

[Soccerdad1995]

Fence Charger

While potentially emotionally satisfying, this is probably not be legal under Texas law. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/SOTW ... m/PE.9.htm

Sec. 9.44. USE OF DEVICE TO PROTECT PROPERTY. The justification afforded by Sections 9.41 and 9.43 applies to the use of a device to protect land or tangible, movable property if:

(1) the device is not designed to cause, or known by the actor to create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious bodily injury; and

(2) use of the device is reasonable under all the circumstances as the actor reasonably believes them to be when he installs the device.

IANAL, but if the device is designed to ward off squirrels, then I think the first requirement would be met (not designed to cause death / serious bodily injury). As far as reasonableness, considering that it would be legal in Texas to kill the criminal the moment he has your flag in his hands and has started to flee, I think a slight shock is reasonable. But then again, IANAL. It probably depends on how many liberals you get on your jury (Katy is a bit of a crapshoot in that regard).

This is a good example of how Texas laws are a bit backwards w/r/t self defense, IMHO. It is legal to use deadly force to prevent a criminal from escaping with stolen property at night (assuming you can't chase him down, etc), but it might not be legal to give the same criminal a small shock to prevent him from stealing the property in the first place?

[Chemist45]

Infrared game camera.
Can be had for around 100 bucks.
Pictures or video.

[crazy2medic]

Cattle hot wire won't kill you, it'll certainly give a very uncomfortable jolt, I know form personal experience
, back in my youth I was duped into touching one!

[The Annoyed Man]

Cattle hot wire won't kill you, it'll certainly give a very uncomfortable jolt, I know form personal experience
, back in my youth I was duped into touching one!

A. Don’t pee on one.
B. Don’t ask me now I know.

[crazy2medic]

Cattle hot wire won't kill you, it'll certainly give a very uncomfortable jolt, I know form personal experience
, back in my youth I was duped into touching one!

A. Don’t pee on one.
B. Don’t ask me now I know.

And don't fall for the "it's not even on" ruse, the thing fires in pulses and just touching it real fast won't get you shocked but you grab it and you won't do it again!

[KC5AV]

Cattle hot wire won't kill you, it'll certainly give a very uncomfortable jolt, I know form personal experience
, back in my youth I was duped into touching one!

Back in my youth, we grabbed them to cure boredom.

[der Teufel]

This is clearly an important issue:

(1) the device is not designed to cause, or known by the actor to create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious bodily injury

But I would claim, and I think this is a reasonable assumption, that electric fence chargers are "not designed to cause, or known by the actor to create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious bodily injury".

They are apparatus that the manufacturer knows will come into contact with people, usually by accident of course, and so they're designed to inflict some pain but not permanent damage nor death.

If my flag had twice been stolen, I'd put one on it in a heartbeat and wait for the screaming.

[clarionite]

Cattle hot wire won't kill you, it'll certainly give a very uncomfortable jolt, I know form personal experience
, back in my youth I was duped into touching one!

A. Don’t pee on one.
B. Don’t ask me now I know.

You must have had a big brother.

You can ask my little brother about peeing on them too.

[RSX11]

A. Don’t pee on one.
B. Don’t ask me now I know.

That reminds me of what WiIl Rogers once said...

There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.

[striker55]

Okay putting up flag number 3. I'm thinking sew in the edge some razor blades, when I see the suspect with a bandaged hand, bingo! Wife is going to sew in a tracker but I think razor blades is better, maybe both.

[flechero]

I'd put up a game cam - maybe hide it on a gutter downspout of your neighbors, pointing your way. I think razorblades would certainly cross the above cited statutory line.