Crimes, unpunished, become trends. Successful trends become industry. The illegal invaders will learn how to work the system and every vacant property will be at risk. There is little downside to the property squatter because even if eventually kicked out, they have benefitted from free housing during their occupation. I would love to franchise an anti squatter business, but the downside is murder, manslaughter, or injury to the contractor or perp. Regardless, the owners have power to successfully fight but must keep the situation off the radar of the police and media. Stalk the property until the squatter leaves. Break in and change locks. Camp at the widow. Have 911 ready to dial. Call and scream bloody murder and “home invasion” on the phone at first sight of the squatter’s return. Then, invest in ADT! I went through a very similar thing in June of 2020 during Covid. The guy I had to evict (former owner’s crackhead boyfriend), kept breaking back in at 3am. ADT was great but the Aurora (CO) police were less than helpful. The dude never stayed long enough to get caught. One day, on my way to the property, ADT called with another alert. I called the Aurora police again and they circled the house. The Lt said this it was an “eviction issue” and that Covid tied their hands. He then asked, “how do you really know he’s in there? Did you see him?” I said no. So, with about 6 Aurora pd on scene, he let ME “clear the house”. I pulled out my handgun and did exactly that as they waited. Luckily, the psycho wasn’t there. However, the whole thing was very surreal. I’m still looking for the sonofabitch. I had him served for $23k in damages for repeated break-ins and related costs - judgement awarded by default.
Geez! Is private property private anymore? Not long ago, a Los Angeles politician (Karen Bass, I think) stated that the plan is to force homeowners to share their homes with “others”. Just Russia post-Communist Revolution.
The illegal invaders will learn how to work the system and every vacant property will be at risk.
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Was thinking about that statement. It is actually rare that my house is ‘empty’ but then it made me think.....what if the front door was unlocked while I was chatting with a next door neighbor or I was cutting the grass in the backyard. If someone went in (locked or unlocked door) and set their bag down in one of the unused bedrooms, what would stop them from claiming ‘squatter’s rights’ and saying that they had been there for a month when you call the police?
One thing about this that does give me concern... As the owner of a ‘recreational property’, it could be half a year before I’d even know someone was there....