Purple Paint Law

[lol]

My experience isn't just that the hands are tied because of judges. At times the cops are tying the property owners hands because they are friends with the ones trespassing and are guilty their self. TN does not take property rights serious unless you have the correct last name.

As much as folks don't like trespassing, its a class C misdemeanor. Its in the same category of crimes as littering, speeding, and disorderly conduct. The criminal justice system isn't going to throw resources at a crime that is categorized as minor. The teeth of enforcement is going to come from judicial process against repeated offenders. Planking mentioned a 12 month restraining order in his case. The restraining order makes subsequent trespass a Class A misdemeanor which is one step below a felony. This is the same category of crime as stalking or domestic assault. Repeat violations of restraining order can become felonies and result in prison time.

 

[lol]

The reason I didn't use purple paint is because I've seen landowners use it, and it can't be seen from a distance. It is a very dull color. You have to really look for it in the woods. I chose bright orange because it can be seen from a long way away, especially after leaf-fall. But it still catches your attention in the heavy green of summer.

The best approach would probably be a combination, Orange to draw attention, and Purple to ensure trespass could be prosecuted.

 

[mike243]

I always wondered why a brite color wasn't chosen, it can be hard to spot in cloudy low light conditions, seems counterproductive to me, maybe brite colors cost more?

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Posted Signs Archives - Voss Signs

vosssigns.com

If you order a couple hundred, you can get the cost of the aluminum signs down to about $1.50 each.

And I highly recommend getting a box of the aluminum nails for mounting. Those nails won't harm a chainsaw as much.

We got hundreds of these off your recommendation several years ago. They are great. We've just about got our whole property done now. Signs every 30 yards and purple paint heavy in between. You will NOT accidentally be on our property

 

[lol]

I always wondered why a brite color wasn't chosen, it can be hard to spot in cloudy low light conditions, seems counterproductive to me, maybe brite colors cost more?

Supposedly they went with purple because it doesn't generally occur frequently in nature and would stand out. I think this makes more sense with fence posts in pastures than in the woods. In any event, Arkansas passed the first law and picked the color and other states copied their law, including the color.

 

[DaveTN]

I don't know if I would waste the money. People know the property isn't theirs, they don't care. Unless there is damage or a theft, I doubt anyone will get arrested for simple trespass. But I guess if something happened, that could be an additional charge if they found someone, and if you have met the additional hoops, they have put in your way to jump through.

 

[TNTreeman]

Three time offender caught trying to shoot a buck at my place with a rifle during bow season. He lost his rifle and 6 months of no hunting. Laws have no teeth.