When does a fun prank cross the line to harassment?

Question

Off topic, I know, but I value the opinions of the regulars here. Please continue reading:

My house has been TPed - AGAIN!

The first time was a fun prank. The second time was still amusing. This third time it is no longer funny - there is broken glass in addition to the TP. I have dogs and they could step on it!

Is this just a prank taken too far or is it harassment?

Answer 1

It sounds annoying and I don't blame you if you want to take steps to stop it, but I don't know that you need to be "concerned." It sounds like your house is the house (or one of them) that has evolved into the center of some sort of ritualistic teen prank. Things like that become tradition and then it's part of the game. When I was in high school, there was one kid's house that for whatever reason ended up being the one we put all the Real Estate signs in front of after we spent an hour or two stealing them from around town. It wasn't any sort of personal attack--he was a well liked enough boy, actually pretty popular. I think their yard just happened to be the one the crew was driving by one night just as they were ready to drop off the signs somewhere. Then it became a tradition from there--we would start making it a point to end up in that part of town. I wasn't really the ring leader for this particular mayhem, but a not infrequent participant. There was definitely no mean spiritedness involved. It was just the house where we put up real estate signs once in awhile when it was a boring Saturday night. The guy who was probably the primary ring leader was actually a pretty good buddy with the guy. I would imagine your daughter has some admirers.  

Answer 2

I personally don't think this is acceptable at all. Your property is being harmed and as you say broken glass around could harm you or your pets.  

Answer 3

It sounds like you are getting targeted.  If you live in a smaller town, you might get the police to start driving by your house on their rounds.  Sometime the police can be cooperative in these kinds of matters.  But they might say they have more serious things to do.  

Answer 4

With the broken glass, it has crossed the line. File a police report.

Also, 3rd time is a charm...It became harassment.

When we were in school, we would only "hit" the people we were friends with, but I am sure that other schools or "cliques" would be otherwise. Talk to you daughter in a matter of fact manner, and ask her if she knows who is doing it and why.  Explain the broken glass issues

Figure out where she stands in the social hierarchy, and that will determine A LOT.

Use a hand held torch to get rid of the stuff.

Answer 5

That's harassment.  Call the police before it happens again.

Answer 6

This is harassment when your glass is broken or property damaged it is not called harassment but destruction of property. If it continues you should do something about it. If you know who is doing tell them to stop or you will take farther action. Harassment is like bugging you but a shattered window is destruction of property.

Answer 7

If it feels like then it is. You must step up and say ok enough is enough. And repeat what you just said here. I'm guessing that they simply found something they think works and is now beating the horse they obviously have no clue so you must tell them to knock it off it's no longer funny. and your getting angry about it. Chances are they won't get it.

Answer 8

Erm... that's harassment no matter how you look at it.

Answer 9

Call the cops...they might not be able to help much...but there is a chance. Plus if they know it's going on, they can keep an eye on your home.

I know of a teacher, who hooked his watering system up to motion detectors...so if anyone walked in his yard they would get soaked. : )

Why are they doing this anyway? any idea?

I'd say it's borderline harassment, needs to stop either way.

Answer 10

TPed? what the h**l is that?

toilet papering??! is this an american thing? i would have called the police the first time. it is definitely harassment