If you had unknown rebels in your neighborhood, who at night destroyed certain items at some homes, how would you try to find out who it is?

I would recommend security lights and/or cameras. You can also buy fake cameras that are basically just a little light in a case, but they are more of a deterrent than a way to catch anyone. I'm guessing if the same things keep on happening in your area, it's one of the kids on your block.

Deterrents like security lights might be enough to convince them that your neighborhood isn't worth messing with, and I would guess they're too scared to venture much outside their safety zone. If cars are being broken into, or private property is being damaged, I would definitely call the cops. Not only do you often need reports for your insurance, but the kids--and their parents--should see that the behavior is being reported and taken seriously.

Maybe neighbors could also distribute lists of lost property when something gets stolen. Even a dense, neglectful parent should be able to connect the dots when little Johnny has a new iPod "a friend gave him" and someone comes to the door reporting that there have been car prowlers in the area they should be aware of, and oh by the way, an iPod was stolen. If you really want to get sneaky, you could try baiting them a little bit.

Set your Halloween pumpkins out, move your cars out of the driveway, and turn the lights off. Then sit across the street with your neighbors, a big bright spot light, and a camera. It might be a waste of time, but you might also get a nice picture of the kid up the street.

Well, personally I'd just lay some game foothold traps. I get the suggestion here that the culprits are likely teens and I don't care. They are perfectly aware what they are doing is illegal and harming others property.

The best way to curb the behavior and find out who is doing it? Catch and punish all in one SNAP in the dark.

I would suggest a fake security camera, but go ahead and get the real thing. Nothing would be more infuriating than having your fake camera in the right place at the right time but then not having the footage. I actually read of one household who simply put all the footage on YouTube and let the problem take care of itself.

I don't know if that's the solution, but it's not a bad idea. Also, if your yard isn't so well lit, it's a great excuse to get some really nice looking landscape lighting and solve the problem while improving your property.

I'll tell you just how I did it! Make a friend on the "inside". Get to know a trusted person who rides the high school schoolbus in your neighborhood (maybe a babysitter or friend's daughter?), and ask them to squeal.

Rat 'em out! In my case when there were some very cases of arson in the neighborhood, I talked with a young babysitter. She heard the doofuses BRAGGING about what they did on the bus, and texted me who it was.

So get to know someone on the inside, and ask them to keep their ears open for idiots bragging about what they've done. The thing with immature punks like that is that they tend to blab their mouths. You'll get 'em that way for sure!

I would probably start one of those Neighborhood Watch programs. Gather everyone in the neighborhood and ask if they would be willing to report all suspicious activity to a selected person who will then call the police as they see fit. You could even go as far as having certain people in the neighborhood "stand guard" at certain times during the night.

Worked for the neighborhood my Fiance's parents live in.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.