The famous adage, “Good fences make good neighbors,” derives from a simple, practical fact: Fences separate properties.
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Defining property lines is an important element of owning land. It helps homeowners avoid accidentally encroaching on their neighbors’ plots, whether by tree limbs that extend over a house or a driveway poured into someone else’s property. It also helps ensure that homeowners don’t build structures, such as fences or swimming pools, that aren’t allowed by local laws. Many cities and counties have specific rules regarding the height, location, materials used, and appearance of fences. Homeowners should review local fence ordinances and consult legal documents and surveys to understand exactly where their property lines fall.
Fences act as visual indicators of property lines and may be located near other markers, such as utility boxes and meters. However, these are not definitive markers and are often positioned near the boundary line because the utilities were installed there for easy access. They can also be positioned because of prior agreements between neighbors or as part of a design aesthetic.
Many fences were built as a way to claim a parcel of land and establish it as private property. This practice was particularly common in the United States, where settlers took advantage of programs that made raw land available at low prices or for free if it was improved with structures like fences and dwellings.
Fences were also used by petty thieves as a way to gain trust and legitimacy with criminal gangs and others. Fences provided a place to meet with gang members to discuss their illegal activities and to sell stolen goods to them, as well as to negotiate for better terms. This role was especially important for brothels, which were safe havens for gangs and other organized crime groups because of the special Ming laws that exempted brothels from criminal responsibility.
Knowing where your property lines are can help you avoid expensive legal disputes with neighbors or other land owners over trespassing or boundary issues. Although it may require a bit of research to determine the exact boundary lines, it is worth the effort to be confident that you’re not encroaching on someone else’s land or compromising their privacy.
Preventing Invasive Species
An invasive species is a non-native plant, animal, or pathogen that disrupts the ecological balance of a natural area. They compete with native plants and animals for food, shelter, and space and can alter environmental conditions such as soil chemistry or wildfire intensity. Some invasive species can even alter ecosystem processes such as erosion or river flow.
Often, invasive plants and animals are introduced to a new area by people. They can hitch rides in boat ballast water, on equipment such as crates and pallets used for shipping, and on a car’s tires.
Once an invasive species is established, it can spread quickly to other areas through its own aggressive growth. The invasive species may have no natural predators or controls that would slow it down. A monoculture of a single invasive species can quickly take over an ecosystem, as happened in the case of kudzu in the Southeast.
Eradication of invasive species is very expensive, and efforts usually require cooperation between federal, state and local governments as well as private landowners. People can help by obeying laws and educating others about the risks of invasive species. They can also do their part by keeping a watchful eye on wildlife and plants in the area they live.
A variety of treatment strategies are available for removing invasive species once they are found. For example, controlled and carefully managed fire can be used to reduce invasive woody plants such as buckthorn and hemlock in forests. However, this approach requires a lot of time and effort, and only works under very specific circumstances.
Prevention is a much more effective and cost-efficient way to address invasive species than control or eradication efforts. Regulations involving the management of ballast water, boat cleaning, inspection of vehicles and equipment, and the trade in living organisms all help to reduce the risk of introducing new species into an ecosystem.
People can do their part by ensuring that garden seeds are free of invasive species before buying them. They can also regularly clean boots, gear and equipment before moving to a new outdoor environment in order to prevent the spread of invasive organisms. Additionally, hikers should buy and use locally sourced firewood at campsites instead of hauling in from home, and campers should thoroughly clean their boats before transporting them to different bodies of water.
Preventing Crime
Keeping criminals from entering your property in the first place is a primary function of fences. Proper landscaping can help, but you also need to use the right locks and have dusk-to-dawn lighting on all sides of your house. Using proper security lighting also makes criminals who are intent on breaking into your home feel uncomfortable and will often move on to another target.
Fencing involves the selling of stolen goods or services to others to avoid arrest. The sale may be as simple as a petty theft, or it may involve an entire gang of thieves or a smuggling operation. In modern society, fences are most commonly found on the Internet through e-fencing. E-fencing is similar to traditional fencing in that there are a minimum of three distinct parties: the original thief, the fence and the final purchaser.
Those involved in fencing will do anything to keep the stolen goods or services out of the hands of law enforcement. They will try to disguise the stolen nature of the goods or services as much as possible, for instance by altering serial numbers on equipment or replacing them entirely. They will also take care to transport the stolen items outside their home city, as this reduces the likelihood that they will be recognized by authorities.
Another way to prevent crime is to have an active community that will work with the police in preventing it from occurring in their neighborhood. This can be done by painting over graffiti, getting to know your neighbors and reporting suspicious activity to the local police. A good example of this is the Community Watch program that is so common in some cities and towns.
A crime prevention programme is a policy developed by local government to address specific crime problems and make the area safer for its residents. This is usually a collaborative effort between local government, police and community groups. The aim is to reduce the amount of crime, the fear of crime, and the number of calls for police service. Many governments will also conduct criminological research on what works and does not in reducing crime and creating a safe environment.
Preventing Damage
A well-maintained fence can add curb appeal, deter opportunistic criminals, and keep pets and children safe. But if a fence becomes damaged, it can be a big problem. Fence damage can lead to erosion, mold, rot and even structural failure. Damage to your fence is preventable with a bit of observation and maintenance.
Severe weather conditions are a major cause of fence damage. High winds can knock down fence panels and even entire structures if they’re not properly anchored. Heavy rainfall can saturate the soil around fence posts and weaken their stability over time. Falling trees and branches from storms are another common source of damage to fences.
Many of these problems can be prevented by implementing preventive measures during the initial installation and regular maintenance of your fences. Proper initial installation can reduce the risk of extreme weather damage by installing fence posts deeper into the ground and using robust materials that can withstand harsh conditions. A good drainage system can also help reduce water damage by directing unwanted rainwater away from the fence.
Wood fences are especially susceptible to moisture damage. Exposure to excessive moisture can cause them to rot, develop mold and mildew, or even collapse if not treated adequately. A good sealant can help protect against this type of moisture damage and extend the life of your wood fence. Metal fences are similarly vulnerable to corrosion caused by exposure to moisture. If you have a metal fence, regularly wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any moisture that may be building up and causing damage.
Using greener materials for your fences can also reduce their environmental impact. Traditional wood fencing requires substantial deforestation to produce, and it is often treated with harmful chemicals that can harm ecosystems. Metal fences are similarly damaging to the environment, as they require energy-intensive manufacturing processes and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. However, a wood-free vinyl fence offers a more environmentally friendly alternative that is also durable and stylish.
Finally, utilizing Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles can make your property more secure and less appealing to criminals looking for an opportunity to breach your fence. By making it harder for criminals to enter your property and reducing visibility with strategic lighting and clear sightlines, your fence can serve its purpose of protecting your home, family, and property even better.
