Urgent question regarding game cams

[Double R]

Looking for some help. Family member bought a plot of land in New Mexico. Turns out one of the neighbors is an absolute nut job. This family member can now not even go to the property without a sheriff escort. This neighbor has threatened to use his CCW and kill my family members dogs which he’s never met or seen to date. Made similar threats to the contractor and others surveying the land for the house, well etc. Says a solid wood fence must be put up or he will kill any dogs he sees. No internet or much cell service. Don’t think 911 call would even go through and the neighbor will be served with a restraining order any day by recommendation of the sheriff.
Hope is to go when the neighbor is at work and put up game cams since no internet and bare land (some trees and bushes) that leave not many options to be sure there’s proof of destruction if this neighbor goes more mental.
Feels like there not good options at this point for the land. Everything that was already in place for the well/home etc has been stopped. Clearly not safe at this point. How to sell is the next problem but I’m very concerned about the safety of my family. Game cams are first in my opinion before the restraining order is served.
So any help would be appreciated. Game cam recommendations for a not tech savvy older person that doesn’t need often contact.
Thanks everyone!

 

[The Lazy L]

Unless very concealed IMHO it is likely to be stolen along with the pictures it took.

Might have better results privately video recording the neighbor when he is threatening you and yours. Then press criminal charges.

 

[Double R]

Thanks @The Lazy L
I did consider that also about the theft. Hoping that this guy wouldn’t find them all kind of hope. Figured it would be worth a try at the least.
I don’t see any confrontation in person happening at this point as there won’t be any trips to the property without LEO on hand. All work has stopped as far as putting the well etc in.
I did look into state laws and made sure that any future incident are recorded legally for future use if it happens. Also looking into what will happen if he truly does have a ccw and making threats and gets a restraining order against him.

 

[backlash]

As much as I hate Red Flag laws New Mexico has one. However, the police are the ones that have to file to take someone's guns.
I personally think red flag laws are unconstitutional but until courts stop them it's going to continue to spread.

 

[Double R]

@backlash I actually looked just for knowledge about it earlier. I agree but good to know anyways.

 

[hashbrown]

I damn sure wouldn't be bullied on my property. He came on my place looking for a fight he'd find one.

 

[UrbanHunter]

Game cams are fine, but in places like you describe they will be hard to hide and if he is coming onto your property the camera will likely follow him home. Most of the game cameras I have seen work fine, but like all technology it might be best to try it out someplace secure before installing it in a high threat area. You might consider something inside a fake rock or if you want to go for something obvious mount it high on a tall post looking down on the property, you may need a ladder to service it but it will make them work harder to remove it.

The other thing is you can post the property for No Trespassing and No Firearms:

According New Mexico Law:

"NO WEAPONS ALLOWED" SIGNS ENFORCED? Are "No Weapons Allowed" signs enforced in New Mexico? If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.

Yes. A licensee may not carry a concealed handgun on or about his person on private property that has signs posted prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons or when verbally told so by a person lawfully in possession of the property. Permit holders may carry at restaurants licensed to sell only beer and wine that derive no less than 60% of their annual gross receipts from the sale of food for consumption on the premises. This is unless the restaurant has a sign posted in a conspicuous location at each public entrance prohibiting the carrying of firearms, or the person is verbally instructed by the owner or manager that the carrying of a firearm is not permitted in the restaurant. [N.M. Admin. Code §10.8.2.16] [N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-3]

 

[havasu]

Wow, this is a hard one. My non-cop thought would be to shoot him in the knee, and progressively shoot higher until he successfully admits defeat. On the other hand, my cop thought would be to go to his house, find common ground, and make him feel you being around would be an asset.

If that fails, resort to thought #1.

 

[Double R]

Thanks @UrbanHunter! That hadn’t crossed my mind yet. I was only made aware of this today. Just one more strike against him on top of the restraining order if there’s a confrontation On the property and easy to do. Going to send signs tomorrow so they can be put up immediately.
Going to look into hidden cameras as well. Good idea.

 

[Double R]

@havasu Single older female who hasn’t shot a firearm since younger years all by herself.......... think we’ll let the sheriff do the chootin‘. Guess my way of thinking may be less crazy to her now.
Feel so helpless so far away.
Thanks everyone for the help and tips. Really do appreciate it. I just can’t figure out a good way out of this for her. She’s going to loose so much money IF she can actually sell this land at all.

 

[Terri9630]

We've got a mental neighbor. Good fences help.

 

[UrbanHunter]

@havasu Single older female who hasn’t shot a firearm since younger years all by herself.......... think we’ll let the sheriff do the chootin‘. Guess my way of thinking may be less crazy to her now.
Feel so helpless so far away.
Thanks everyone for the help and tips. Really do appreciate it. I just can’t figure out a good way out of this for her. She’s going to loose so much money IF she can actually sell this land at all.

I do have a couple of questions. How much land is it? How far away from town is it? Is it just a big empty space out away from everyone and the guy just thinks he owns the world?

 

[Double R]

@UrbanHunter 4. Open lot. Not far enough out for that I don’t think. Multiple neighbors around. Can see their places from the land. None of which ever said anything about him.

 

[The Lazy L]

Thanks @The Lazy L
I did consider that also about the theft.

A person could place one or two trail cams in semi-obvious locations on the property with easily identifiable landmarks. Then place a few more well hidden trail cams photographing the semi-obvious trail cam(s). The thought is to photograph the person(s) stealing the semi-obvious trail cams with the intent to prove thief and file charges of same.

I had a similar problem to yours but not as severe. Farmer had four lots. One lot one of his sons purchased and built a house on. For years the other three lots the son treated as if he (the son) owned them. Along came me to purchase one of the three remaining lots. Son made it very well known that I "stole" the lot from under him. Tent I had on the property was cut into ribbons. Line fence cut. Graffiti written with mud on the freshly poured basement walls. An attempt to break into the house soon after the contractors had the house enclosed. I knew who but couldn't prove it. I really didn't want to be the new guy in the neighborhood accusing the established neighbor without proof. But enough is enough! I "accidentally" meet the Farmer that had sold me the property. He asked how the house building was coming along? "Fine" I answered. Then I told him that someone(s) in the neighborhood must be bored because of what happen to my tent and graffiti. Kids are kids I explained. But then I had to call the Sheriff (I did) to file a burglary report when someone attempt to burglarized the house and I would press charges too. Farmer gave me strange look and then changed the subject. I never had any problems after that. Reckon I gave the Farmer enough details that the Farmer "knew" who and had a talk with them?

 

[Curmudgeon]

This neighbor has threatened to use his CCW and kill my family members dogs which he’s never met or seen to date.

So, this person has been confrontational face to face?

I would consider a small body cam (something that can be hidden) and when the guy confronts whomever, he will incriminate himself. At that point the Sheriff could seek out the Red Flag order. As much as I disagree with it, it seems applicable in this circumstance. It is there, so use it to your advantage.

This is a very difficult conundrum.

 

[phideaux]

@Double R , I can't tell ya what to do , I'm not there.

All I can tell you is what I'd do if it was happening to me.

I'd ,first, confront the guy and give him fair warning , not to be a bad neighbor , or cause me any grief, because I'm the guy that trained John Rambo.

I would put up a few trailcams in the right places , most cameras that I'm familiar with, don't have very long range detection sensor.

If he's caught on camera...show the cops.

Never let the cops think your vindictive or hostile...your the good guy.

Jim

 

[Double R]

Holy cow @The Lazy L! Well played but dang. Great idea on the game cams. I think that may be the ticket in this instance for sure. Thank you!
@Curmudgeon Had I known this all was going on she would definitely have been recording the situations. That was the very first thing i looked up is the laws for that in her state. As far as run ins, apparently there’s been 5 or 6 with her so far, each more aggressive, another with her friend and more with workers on the property. There won’t be any more run in’s (in theory) as she’s got a restraining order coming and refuses to go to the property again and if she’s has to it will be with sheriff escort which I’m glad they are willing to do but should never be necessary. It’s bad enough that she’s done before the well has even been dug which was in the works after a lot of waiting “due to Covid”. She’s been out working on clearing down brush etc while the surveyors, contractors etc have been there. They’ve heard the threats which does “help” a bit.

 

[Neb]

Good the property was surveyed.

Then keep an smart phone handy while putting up no trespassing signs and more than one game camera that cover each other mounted high as previously suggested.

Stay in contact with law enforcement.

Ben