Talked with county police today and found that at least in Virginia, trespassers are not viewed with much alarm. If more people knew how lenient the law is, there probably would be a lot more trespassing.
I naively figured that in an established suburb where all the backyards are fenced, anyone climbing a fence into someone else's property would be guilty and punished with at least an official warning and probably a fine.
Nope.
First, if I am concerned, I should post No Trespassing signs. (Right, in an established suburban neighborhood where all the backyards are connected by chain link fences clearly marking property lines.)
Second, I would have to identify any trespassers ("You there, stand still and give me some identification") and have them served with a No Trespassing Order.
Third, if they trespassed again, I could report them and then maybe something would happen in the justice system.
Notice in none of these instances are police present at the scene. Because in most cases the trespassers leave before the police could arrive. If they don't, that's another situation, usually a more serious confrontation.
And of course if a property owner detains a trespasser by threat or force, that could go badly for the property owner for using force beyond what is called for (whatever that is).
The cop I spoke with was responsive and sympathetic, but clearly reflected that trespassing itself is not a major problem compared to all the more serious crimes being committed.
He said he has not seen security cameras being that useful for most homeowners, explaining that the highest quality systems that give pictures good enough for solid evidence are very expensive (i.e., several thousand dollars) for what they return.
So now I'm retreating slightly to installing motion activated floodlights as the quickest and most effective trespassing deterrent for the money.
I'll keep looking into motion activated infra red security cameras feeding into a DVR, but that will be a longer term possibility rather than an immediate implementation.
Another potential longer term solution will be considering a suburbanly acceptable but formidable hedge of some sort; if nothng else it would obscure the inviting open panomara that now exists.
Incidentally, one of the best quick illumination devices I found is a Brinkmann Maxfire LX Lithium/Xenon flashlight that is 12 times brighter than a comparable 2AA flashlight. It's also brighter than a 2C Mag-Lite, although the bigger and heavier Mag-Lite would be a much better last resort club.
The Maxfire is only $20 at Wal-Mart. You can buy three for the $60 similar models start at in gun stores.
