Moving into a new neighborhood usually comes with a few adjustments. You get to know the neighbors, figure out where everyone parks, and occasionally deal with kids playing outside. But what happens when those kids repeatedly enter your property and their parents don’t seem particularly concerned?
That’s the situation one homeowner recently shared on Reddit after discovering that several neighborhood children had been coming into their yard without permission. What started as a minor annoyance has turned into a bigger concern, especially after the homeowner noticed what the children were doing around the house.
Now, they’re wondering whether involving the police would be taking things too far, and other homeowners have plenty of opinions.
A homeowner says neighborhood kids keep entering their property
In a post shared on Reddit, a homeowner explained that they recently moved into a neighborhood where none of the houses have fences. Since moving in, three children between the ages of 6 and 12 have repeatedly wandered onto their property, despite not living particularly close by.
At first, the homeowner didn’t think much of it. But after installing security cameras, they noticed the children touching plants, playing with the garden hose, and even messing with outdoor electrical outlets.
The homeowner eventually asked the children to leave and spoke with their parents about the situation. According to the post, the parents said the children were just being kids and promised to speak with them.
Unfortunately, that conversation didn’t seem to change anything. The children continued entering the yard, leaving the homeowner concerned about potential property damage and what might happen if one of them got hurt.
They also contacted their homeowners association but hadn’t received a response. With the problem continuing, the homeowner turned to Reddit to ask whether calling law enforcement would be an overreaction.
Homeowners are divided over how the situation should be handled
Many commenters argued that the parents needed to take responsibility, while others felt involving the police would be going too far.
Several people pointed out that there’s a difference between children occasionally running across someone’s lawn and repeatedly touching things around their house. Some recalled playing in neighbors’ yards growing up but said messing with plants, hoses, and electrical outlets crossed a line.
Others encouraged the homeowner to have another conversation with the parents, this time emphasizing the safety concerns rather than simply asking the children to stay away. One commenter shared how children stopped jumping through their newly planted hedge after they explained to the parents that someone could get hurt.
As for practical solutions, fences were among the most common suggestions, although some questioned whether the HOA would allow one. Others recommended security cameras with audible warnings, locking covers for outdoor outlets and faucets, or motion-activated sprinklers.
Several people also suggested documenting the incidents and following up with the HOA before considering police involvement. Many agreed that children should be able to enjoy playing outside without interfering with someone else’s property.
The bigger concern is what happens if someone gets hurt
Although the homeowner was frustrated about children entering the yard, the possibility of an injury appeared to be the more serious concern.
Several commenters worried about what could happen if a child were injured while playing with electrical outlets or other equipment around the property. Some raised concerns about insurance claims or lawsuits, although whether a homeowner would actually be responsible depends on the circumstances and applicable state law.
For that reason, some commenters felt the homeowner should take reasonable steps to secure potentially dangerous areas, document the ongoing problem, and continue communicating with the parents.
The discussion also highlighted how differently people view neighborhood boundaries. Some believe children should have the freedom to explore and play outside, while others feel homeowners shouldn’t have to repeatedly ask people to stay off their property.
In this case, the homeowner wasn’t complaining about a child retrieving a stray ball or occasionally crossing the lawn. The concern was that the children kept returning after being asked to leave and were touching things around the house.
