# My first sting operation **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 13, 2010, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028 "2010-10-13T18:43:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/41 "2010-10-14T23:32:06Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Would you say that about Christmas, though? It also lasts a day and people go even more out for that holiday. Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/42 "2010-10-14T23:55:17Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Why not just make a recording that sounds every few minutes, “Hey you kids, get off my lawn!” I think you may have miscalculated who is playing the role of the the cranky, humorless old person in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/43 "2010-10-15T00:30:45Z")
Perhaps, but I’d wager in every neighbourhood there are people who hate to see plastic halloween crap get dragged out into yards all over the town. And they don’t say anything, just tolerate it, whatever. I just don’t think they should have to look at your hokey crap for weeks ahead of time. But if you want to put it out weeks ahead of time, you take your chances. It’s a pranking holiday, get your head out of the pumpkin patch already. If you care, don’t put it out so early. If you don’t have at it. But if you strew your lawn with junk, be prepared to have some people identify it as such, whatever the season. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/44 "2010-10-15T00:35:53Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I just don’t think they should have to Entitlement much? It doesn’t matter whether you like what’s in the guy’s yard. Your opinion, as august and sophisticated as it is, isn’t justification to go onto their lawn and fuck with their shit. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/45 "2010-10-15T00:40:00Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > It doesn’t matter whether you like what’s in the guy’s yard. Your opinion, as august and sophisticated as it is, isn’t justification to go onto their lawn and fuck with their shit. True, although I have a slight desire to shoot the inflatable ghosts, Santa and Penguins with a pellet gun. (Penguins? WTH? Penguins live in the Southern hemisphere!) I just hate all Holidays since my Father died when I was 16 and things like that went to hell, so Don’t Mind Me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/46 "2010-10-15T03:57:38Z")
Hey, I didn’t say they had a right, they don’t, sorry for the confusion there. But most pranks, Halloween or otherwise, involve rule infractions of some sort. That’s the nature of pranking, isn’t it? They didn’t destroy his stuff, or steal it, just messed with it. Prank more than crime really. It just seems to me that Halloween decorations, by their very nature, cheap plastic junk, located on the ground, no snow as deterrent, unless electrified, pretty portable, throw in hokey and they are pretty much being teed up for pranks. Combine that with the pranking nature in evidence so widely at Halloween, traditional and, somewhat, to be expected. These are just the facts of how it is, regardless of how anyone feels about their neighbours decor, let’s be clear. Now, put them out weeks in advance. Really? And then move to surveillance because someone moves them around. Really? Not destroyed or removed, just shuffled about. Really? I hate to see all that plastic crap come out, but recognize that I am in the minority so I just grin and bear it. I especially hate people who leave it up, for weeks afterward and pity the neighbours that live next door, but it’s not like I say anything to them or hold rallies or call city hall. I just don’t care for it, is all. I think it looks like shite. And I’m happy a place exists where I can finally be honest about it too. It looks like cheap plastic shite and everyone who walks by your house thinks so. Oh, and no, no one wants to look at it for weeks. It’s fun for a day. Before or after that, it’s just lame. So there. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/47 "2010-10-15T04:04:12Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > It’s about people putting lots of cheap plastic crap out on their yards, not for one night, no, no, that will never do, for freaking weeks ahead of time. > > Keep that crap in your garage until the night before and then remove it the next day. It’s not a freaking season people, it’s one night. > > Your neighbours don’t like it and it looks like crap. > > This person is begging to be pranked, crap it’s not even October 15th yet! > > And the Great Pumpkin weeps at your lameness, by the way. What a joyless, bleak life you must lead! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/48 "2010-10-15T04:05:49Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > But most pranks, Halloween or otherwise, involve rule infractions of some sort. That’s the nature of pranking, isn’t it? Huh? > [@elbows](#): > > Combine that with the pranking nature in evidence so widely at Halloween, traditional and, somewhat, to be expected. People did this shit to my uncle’s Christmas stuff, too. This has nothing to do with Halloween. > [@elbows](#): > > Now, put them out weeks in advance. Really? As I already said, there are people putting up _Christmas_ stuff. This is the Halloween season. I know you hate it, but tough. > [@elbows](#): > > And then move to surveillance because someone moves them around. Really? Not destroyed or removed, just shuffled about. Really? Sure. He didn’t have to spend a cent on any of it. And he bought that cheap shit so that it could be displayed. They’re preventing it from being displayed properly by fucking with it. > [@elbows](#): > > I hate to see all that plastic crap come out, but recognize that I am in the minority so I just grin and bear it. Yeah, we get it. You’re a hit at parties. But this thread isn’t about whether it looks good. ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/49 "2010-10-15T04:08:36Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > And when you get your cheap crap rearranged by the neighbourhood kids it seems right in keeping with what Halloween is all about, to me. Actually, it would be even more in the Halloween spirit for the OP to sever their heads and fill their neck stumps with candy. Either that or use the water hose on 'em if he catches them vandalizing his stuff again. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/50 "2010-10-15T12:24:18Z")
We had [del]some[/del] TASTEFUL decorations stolen last night. **Hamps** , maybe we’re neighbors. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/51 "2010-10-15T12:56:39Z")
In my neighborhood, decorations have been up for about a week already. The homeowner’s association gives prizes, so people go all out! On Halloween night, it is absolutely crazy…the streets are packed. Kids are coming around that don’t even live here, and nobody minds. Most people are handing out chocolate too! Our cul-de-sac has a block party, so all the adults pool the candy and sit outdoors eating, drinking, and watching the scene. (We’re trying to decide if we’re going to the block party this year or the cemetery wedding I mentioned in the other thread). ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/52 "2010-10-15T13:04:34Z")
I’m with **elbows** , up until the point where he advocates vandalism. I don’t like a lot of that plastic crap. I don’t like a lot of that blow-up crap that gets put out every Christmas. I don’t advocate theft or destruction of private property, though. I just ignore it. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/53 "2010-10-16T00:03:31Z")
[quote=“AClockworkMelon, post:44, topic:557028”] > [@elbows](#): > > , as august and sophisticated as it is, isn’t justification to go onto their lawn and fuck with their shit. Well, August is a little early for Halloween decorations. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/54 "2010-10-16T06:31:02Z")
Anychance these are raccoons simply messing with stuff and not actually teenagers or something. Declan ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/55 "2010-10-16T12:11:38Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m with elbows, up until the point where he advocates vandalism. Um, I never advocated vandalism, just said it was understandable if you put your plastic crap out weeks early. Also, I’m a she, not that it matters. > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by elbows View Post > , as august and sophisticated as it is, isn’t justification to go onto their lawn and fuck with their shit. Um, also, these are not my words. I realize mine is not the popular view, but seriously, I didn’t say either of these things. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/56 "2010-10-16T12:21:32Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by elbows View Post > > , as august and sophisticated as it is, isn’t justification to go onto their lawn and fuck with their shit. > > Um, also, these are not my words. If you look at **Ike** ’s post you’ll see that he was trying to quote me, not you, but he fucked up the tags. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/57 "2010-10-16T13:12:00Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > > [@elbows](#): > > > > Um, also, these are not my words. > > If you look at **Ike** ’s post you’ll see that he was trying to quote me, not you, but he fucked up the tags. Yeah, I deleted one character too many, plus I was just trying to make a dumb joke. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/58 "2010-10-16T13:39:24Z")
Oh, I see now, thanks. I am nothing but sweet to my neighbours who do decorate a lot, I assure you. I put out a couple of pumpkins on Halloween and sometimes, decorations on the porch, (enclosed). I don’t like the look of all that cheap plastic crap, but have at it, if you must. Weeks early seems tacky to me, I’m just going to be glad I’m not your neighbour! But if you choose to, shouldn’t you recognize there’s not much to deter people from trashing it? Moving to surveillance / sting operation, when it wasn’t damaged or stolen, seems a tad over the top, to me. I would never dream of telling my neighbours I think it looks trashy, but why shouldn’t I express my opinion here? It looks like a big pile of cheap plastic crap and I pity your neighbours for having to look at it for weeks. Perhaps some of his neighbours feel the same way, and are too polite to say anything? ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/59 "2010-10-16T13:44:09Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Moving to surveillance / sting operation, when it wasn’t damaged or stolen, seems a tad over the top, to me. I have to admit something: I don’t really have a lot of bile for the kids who keep knocking his shit over. I love the thread about the guy who moves his neighbors’ garden gnomes closer to the house by an inch every morning. I just want the OP to catch them because I like conflict. 😃 If the OP spent money on a webcam or program specifically for the sting operation I’d say it’s over the top, but it isn’t, so I don’t think it is. So why not? It’s no money, little effort, will sate his curiosity, might get the kids to stop and he’ll feel like he’s pulling a prank of his own. > [@elbows](#): > > Perhaps some of his neighbours feel the same way, and are too polite to say anything? But just polite enough to kick his shit over, huh? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028/60 "2010-10-16T13:49:23Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Would you say that about Christmas, though? It also lasts a day and people go even more out for that holiday. Christmas starts before Labor Day and doesn’t end until mid or late January. At least that’s when the decorations go up and come down in the stores. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-sting-operation/557028.md?page=4)