A Henrico Country, Virginia man is taking the “grumpy old man who yells at kids to get off of his lawn” trope to the next level.
Instead of reaching out to parents, local law enforcement, or speaking with local children to try and sort out the problem, Bryan Tucker went to extreme measures.
Tucker told ABC 8 News that he’s sick and tired of kids trespassing on his property and leaving trash behind. So, he put up a menacing looking electric fence around his property.
He said the fence would keep kids away from their property.
“I’m not in charge of other people’s children,” said Tucker. “I’m not directing other people’s children what to do. All I can do is protect myself and that’s why I’ve got a fence up.”
Tucker says that he put no trespassing signs up but the kids disregard the sign.
“It says no trespassing for any purpose,” said Tucker. “Strictly forbidden. Violators will be prosecuted.”
Parents in the neighborhood were extremely upset by the fence and concerned for their children’s safety since its just a few inches away from where middle and high school children wait for the school bus.
“It’s insane,” said one unnamed resident.
“Someone said it was electric, I was like whoa,” said another concerned parent.
“What you don’t like kids?” asked Wayne Milby. “Me, I’m a parent and I don’t want any children to get electrocuted.”
Parents said they were especially concerned since there was no signage stated that the fence was electric.
Tucker said there is a box located on the device that says “Solar Intellishock” which he says counts as signage.
But not everyone was completely appalled by Tucker’s actions.
“I understand his concern,” neighbor James Mehfoud told WTVR. “I just don’t think he understood the neighbors’ concern about their kids. One of them could touch it, fall into it, and get shocked.”
Parents even contacted the Henrico Police department who called the Henrico Public Works over the matter.
Henrico County eventually determined that the fence was on an easement which made the fence illegal.
“Show me what’s the truth, you know everybody’s just giving me different words,” said Tucker.
Tucker was asked to take the fence down but he is allowed to put it back up if he keeps the fence at this property line.
According to ABC 8 News, his property line is “well away” from the bus stop.
Eventually, Tucker did take down the fence and says that he thinks “the message has gotten across.” He says he might not put it back up if the littering stops.
Learn more about this story below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
