Redditor Uses Garden Hose To Deter Strawberry Thieves, Faces Angry Parents

"Instead of calling the police I grabbed my garden hose and sprayed them"

Filip

• Published in Funny
• September 26, 2023

Children are all about playing and adventure, but what can possibly be a greater adventure than stealing a neighbor's fruits? Besides, the unwritten rule is that stolen fruit doesn't taste the same as the fruit in their yards or supermarkets; it's incomparably tastier.

But if they discover a neighbor's 'treasure' and keep returning for more, it can get really annoying. Recently, a Reddit user shared the story of how they handled the thieving neighborhood kids, but now they have much bigger problems.

OP said they adore strawberries to the extent that they planted 300 plants in their garden. Following the harvest, the OP delights in creating an abundance of strawberry jelly and distributing it to friends, family, and neighbors.

The OP generously donates any remaining jelly to the local food bank. Recently, the OP has been facing significant challenges due to the neighborhood children trespassing and stealing strawberries.

During one such incident, the children acted so recklessly that over 50 plants were destroyed. When the OP intercepted them, they warned them of potential police intervention.

However, during the following encounter, the OP opted for a different approach, using the garden hose to spray the intruders and drive them away rather than involving law enforcement. This action provoked a visit from a cohort of furious parents, and none of them seemed willing to apologize for the misdeeds of their offspring.

One parent even threatened to sue the OP because water damaged her son's iPhone 10. The OP told her it was her problem as she had allowed such an expensive device for an eight-year-old.

The OP then concluded the conversation by warning the group to leave their property or face reprisal with the hose.

OP asks:

The OP explained they adore strawberries and have 300 plants in their yard:

But the neighborhood kids started stealing their strawberries, so the last time they caught them, they sprayed them with their garden hose:

It provoked a visit from furious parents to complain, and the OP threatened to spray them also if they didn't leave their property:

A Redditor advised them to get security cameras

Another one agreed

It's the OP's strawberries, not theirs

"Also aren’t the iPhone X supposedly waterproof?"

Chickenwire fence is the cheapest solution for a problem

A Redditor added the OP should get a "No Trespassing" sign also

"It’s such a bummer your hose got away from you like that"

"I'm a parent and I would volunteer you to spray my son with a hose if I caught him stealing."

"Get some cameras and cops involved next time"

They act like the OP is their private gardener

Redditor told the OP that they are not in the wrong for spraying children who steal with a garden hose, but they also advised them to consider calling the police the next time or installing security cameras. But tell us, what would you do if you were in the OP's shoes?

Filip