How to catch the little brats...

[Momo-P]

I have nothing against kids having fun, but this is getting bad.

A month or so ago, our doorbell rang. Rang once and nobody was there...we were a bit concerned at first (it was like...10 at night), but in the end we chalked it up to kids and moved on.

This month however...it's getting ridiculous. A few nights ago they rang once and nobody answered, so they did it a whole bunch more. This time though it was like...at 12 at night or so. Not only is that bad because my parents were sleeping, but the dogs went nuts.

Then a few weeks ago I believe, it happened again...then this morning (at 4 O CLOCK) it happened. They did it once and nobody was there, then when my dad went upstairs to get ready for work they did it again.

Again, the first time it was just kind of like "whatever, who cares", but now it's getting over the top. We could call the police, but it's a bit pointless since we don't know the exact children involved, not to mention we don't know when they'll strike. My dad talked about putting out some fishing wire tonight so the little jerks trip on it, but I'm open to any other ideas.

I don't want to hurt them, but coming at such late/early hours of the day (not to mention doing it so much) is just rude and irritating. They're just asking for it.

[EricTheFred]

A very loud electric horn above the door and a switch inside the house to change the circuit from 'Doorbell' to 'Scare-the-snot-out-of-em horn blast' at night. One good self-initiated 100dB blast outta set 'em straight.

More seriously, I wonder if an alarm-system company could hook you up with motion-sensitive security lighting or such, that would make you a less appealing target. Another (very old-fashioned) idea would be a picket fence around your front-yard. That's probably dependant on your neighboorhood rules.

[ChristianKitsune]

I would put up a sign or something, that says that they are being watched and that police will be called. If the kids are young enough they will probably get scared and stop.


you could also instal a real video camera and see who tries it and then call the parents after you have identified them. (if you know who they are)

I would also suggest a motion-sensitive light...

[USSRGirl]

Rig the door bell up with an electric tazer, train your dogs to kill at the sound of mishcievious little voices, mount shrunken heads on your porch, and hang a bloody battle axe next to the front door.

Otherwise, putting up a sign like CK suggested is probably your best bet.

[AJV]

Before I saw ChristianKitsune's post I thought that you by the door,maybe from a window near the door or someting.
A hidden cammera might be a good idea.

[Sheenar]

You could tape a thumbtack to the doorknob at night (like in Dennis the Menace). That'll stop 'em.

Or maybe put a really creepy statue/lawn decoration in your yard and rig it with motion detectors that, when triggered, play a prerecorded message --"Step away from the gnome! Step away from the gnome!":lol:

In all seriousness, I think the motion-sensor lights are a great idea. They may be less willing to keep doing the ring and ditch if they think they could get caught/be seen.

[ich1990]

Given that they are ringing the door at 4 in the morning, they are probably not young enough for a sign to do the trick. Have your Dad take an unloaded pump shotgun and sit it by the door. As soon as they ring the doorbell, wake him up and have him inform them that they are trespassing on private property and that he has the right to defend his home. Have him pump the shotgun once (it makes an cool/intimidating ka-chink). It should work.

Alternatively, if you don't have a pump action shotgun, you could use a crowbar or baseball bat. Or a bloody battle axe.

It won't hurt them, it will have a longer lasting effect then tripwire (the problem with the tripwire is that it is a challenge, they will rise to the occasion), and it will most likely only take one dose. The only problem would be getting your dad up in time to catch them in the act. Lots of kids like to watch the results of their handywork, so they may be hiding nearby when you check the door. Even if you don't catch them in the act, have your dad yell/make threatening motions with his weapon; they may be near enough to hear him.

[Raiden no Kishi]

You know, you could easily add a killswitch to the doorbell so that it doesn't work when you flip the switch. That'd be an easy fix.

Of course, the evil Rai in my head motions for one of those tripwire-to-net traps that leaves them suspended in midair, but that would be difficult to implement and probably illegal in some respect. Evil Rai totally approves, though.

.rai//

[mechana2015]

Depending on the system you have, couldn't you curtail some of this by just deactivating the bell at night?

[Tsukuyomi]

I think you should at least inform that cops that this is happening o.o When we first moved into this neighborhood, we had little kinds (not too little) who LOVED to throw stones at our window door.. sliding door (yeah, that's what it's called) o.O I told my mom next time it happens to.. yell at them and threaten to call the cops o.o I'm not really sure if they did this to other houses and got the cops called on them, but they stopped o.o

I would go with Kit-chan's idea ^^ Buy a camera and hide it somewhere ^__^ Or the motion detector light works as well ^^ Or, just keep the light in the front porch on all night ^__^ I heard that's a bit safer anyway ^^If they think someone's awake.. they won't do it o.o

Maybe o.o;

[LadyRushia]

I like Temmy's taser idea and I'd also like to suggest pepper spray. Chainsaws might work as well if you don't have a rifle. You could install hidden cameras, have your dad wait for them in the bushes, and rev it up and chase them away when they come. Then you can download the video footage and put it on YouTube.

Deactivating the bell would probably work. If you take away the chance for reaction, they'll be less likely to do it.

[GeneD]

I have no further clever ideas to contribute to the ones already given, but for the record I vote for mounting shrunken heads.

[shade of dae]

You know, you could easily add a killswitch to the doorbell so that it doesn't work when you flip the switch. That'd be an easy fix.

Or you could make it so that the doorbell zaps anyone who touches it with electricity when you flip the switch. That might be a little harder to wire, but much more satisfying

[Prince Asbel]

Rig the door. Then, anyone who touches the doorbell after 12:00 will trigger a turret that will empty a spray of bullets into their annoying little bodies. :eyeroll:

[Song_of_Storms]

Oh, how picturesque! XD

Chiwahwah. Lots of them. They're small, and have a really high pitched bark. Of course, the down side is they keep you up more then the kids would. >.>

OK, Erin Suggestion # 2!
If you have an idea of who is doing it...

1. Put on your best Ninja outfit
2. Go to their/its house
3. Ring their doorbell, wait till someone comes
4. Scream in an annoyed fashion, "GEEZ! I'M TRYING TO SLEEP AROUND HERE! KEEP IT DOWN!
5. Walk away like nothing happened, you could even be complaining about them under your breath as you go.

....OK, that's mine. 8D

[Prince Asbel]

Oh, how picturesque! XD

Chiwahwah. Lots of them. They're small, and have a really high pitched bark. Of course, the down side is they keep you up more then the kids would. >.>

OK, Erin Suggestion # 2!
If you have an idea of who is doing it...

1. Put on your best Ninja outfit
2. Go to their/its house
3. Ring their doorbell, wait till someone comes
4. Scream in an annoyed fashion, "GEEZ! I'M TRYING TO SLEEP AROUND HERE! KEEP IT DOWN!
5. Walk away like nothing happened, you could even be complaining about them under your breath as you go.

....OK, that's mine. 8D

ROTFLOL! That's priceless!

[Song_of_Storms]

Thanks! 8D ...That's what I'd do. n.n;;;

[NuclearPeon]

There are some welcome mats that people use on halloween that when stepped on, emit loud screeching sounds or ghoulish laughter. Try one of those.

On a more serious note, definitely go for motion-sensor lights. Or better yet, put iching powder on the doorbell.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Cheaper than a real camera is a fake camera with a real red light on it. Hook that up (next to a motion sensing driveway light) on your porch. Light turns on, they see the camera, they dash.

[RobinSena]

Cheaper than a real camera is a fake camera with a real red light on it. Hook that up (next to a motion sensing driveway light) on your porch. Light turns on, they see the camera, they dash.

+1 to Etoh's idea