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ProfessorGAC

(70,512 posts)
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 02:52 PM Thursday

So, Im Guessing Vandalism - Updated

So, last night I'm coming home from the supermarket and as I drove by the front I noticed one of our lighted reindeer wasn't on. I stop to get out to see if it got unplugged. No luck; it was plugged in.
So, I figured it was the fuse in the plug. But, I don't want to mess with it in the dark & with the power on. I'll do it in the morning.
Went out this morning and the cord itself was cut in 2!
After I took it in for repair, I looked closely and both wires, on both sides were absolutely clean, straight line cuts.
I'm positive somebody cut this wire. I can see no other way an electric cord was cleanly bisected laying in the middle of the front yard.
There are 15 other things lit, but only this one?
I fixed it so my wife is back to holiday happy.

EDIT: Out of curiosity, I searched YouTube, Facebook & TikTok. This is happening all over. Apparently it's a TikTok inspired prank. I got HUNDREDS of hits, all from December 2024.


(The reindeer in the middle is the one that was damaged.)
28 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
So, Im Guessing Vandalism - Updated (Original Post) ProfessorGAC Thursday OP
If you live somewhere civilized where the police will actually arrest the perp if caught, I suggest putting up a camera SheltieLover Thursday #1
My Wife Was Fuming ProfessorGAC Thursday #8
I'm glad she's happy again SheltieLover Thursday #10
Booby Traps? ProfessorGAC Thursday #11
Not sure what crystal violet is, but it sounds perfect. Use it! SheltieLover Thursday #12
Done ProfessorGAC Thursday #15
Thx, Professor! SheltieLover Thursday #16
Probably At Least A Mile ProfessorGAC Thursday #17
Awesome! SheltieLover Thursday #18
Rabbit? We used to have a rabbit with a nasty cord chewing habit. BuckIowa Thursday #2
Cuts Were VERY Clean, And... ProfessorGAC Thursday #5
You have a Grinch, hopefully he's moved on. Beautiful display . surfered Thursday #3
Maybe Rudolph got angry cause his buddy was not pulling his share of the sleigh's load. magicarpet Thursday #4
Rudolph, Angry At Christmas Time? ProfessorGAC Thursday #6
I am so sorry ProfessorGAC. Do you think you should buy those out door cameras? they might do it again. Love the display debm55 Thursday #7
We'll See ProfessorGAC Thursday #9
Someone on my Neighbors site complained about the exact same thing. Diamond_Dog Thursday #13
That is sad. So many nasty, unhappy people in this world. LoisB Thursday #14
To quote my friend David... OldBaldy1701E Thursday #19
Happening in my small Iowa town, too. Sogo Thursday #20
I don't get this "prank" Skittles Yesterday #21
Our Sentiment Exactly ProfessorGAC Yesterday #23
I guess I never see vandalism as a prank Skittles Yesterday #24
Sad that someone thought this "prank" was cool nuxvomica Yesterday #22
Grinch is the zeitgeist of the day Clouds Passing 10 hrs ago #25
I'm sorry that happened to your display, ProfessorGAC Niagara 10 hrs ago #26
Tic Tok is on its way out the door Historic NY 10 hrs ago #27
Alas, Something Will Take Its Place ProfessorGAC 10 hrs ago #28

SheltieLover

(60,128 posts)
1. If you live somewhere civilized where the police will actually arrest the perp if caught, I suggest putting up a camera
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 02:59 PM
Thursday

I've had the engine wiring harness on my car cut in my previous apartment parking lot. No reason. Only because rednecks suck.

Lovely display. It makes me really angry that someone was so disrespectful of your beautiful decorations on YOUR property.

ProfessorGAC

(70,512 posts)
8. My Wife Was Fuming
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 03:09 PM
Thursday

She was in an "Oh, Well" place until I showed her the clean cuts.
Then, she was pissed! It's fixed now, so she's past it.

ProfessorGAC

(70,512 posts)
11. Booby Traps?
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 03:27 PM
Thursday

Not really, but...
I've got a jar of crystal violet.
Just laying it on the lawn will have them tracking it everywhere. Won't hurt the wild beasties out there.
Hopefully it will stain the carpets in the home, or if they're driving, the car floor.
We've had displays in the yard for almost 40 years. I'm hoping this was a one off.
Somebody mentioned rabbits, which we have around here, but these cuts were so clean & straight.
I guess we'll just see what happens.

SheltieLover

(60,128 posts)
12. Not sure what crystal violet is, but it sounds perfect. Use it!
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 03:29 PM
Thursday

Yeah, likely some dirtbag.

I'd use it myself. I'll have to go look this stuff up. LOL

Good luck!

Pat Vincent on the head for me.

SheltieLover

(60,128 posts)
16. Thx, Professor!
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 03:36 PM
Thursday

Vincent is such a good boy...

Just for the sake of conversation, how long would this chemical continue to leave tracks? A few feet, a block, or..???

TYIA!

ProfessorGAC

(70,512 posts)
17. Probably At Least A Mile
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 04:24 PM
Thursday

Maybe more if moisture made it sink into the crevices of a gym shoe.
We used it in the lab, back in the day.
Get some on your fingers, you'd have purple fingers for a week!

ProfessorGAC

(70,512 posts)
5. Cuts Were VERY Clean, And...
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 03:06 PM
Thursday

...in a dead straight line across both strands.
That's why I didn't go animal.
But, I suppose it's possible.

debm55

(38,149 posts)
7. I am so sorry ProfessorGAC. Do you think you should buy those out door cameras? they might do it again. Love the display
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 03:07 PM
Thursday

in all white. That is a darn shame that someone would do that.

ProfessorGAC

(70,512 posts)
9. We'll See
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 03:10 PM
Thursday

If it becomes a thing, we may have to.
I don't want to be splicing cords every day.

Diamond_Dog

(35,118 posts)
13. Someone on my Neighbors site complained about the exact same thing.
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 03:30 PM
Thursday

Said somebody cut the cord to one of her outdoor lighted Christmas figures.

What kind of person does such a thing? Do we all need cameras on our homes now? It’s depressing.

Sogo

(5,840 posts)
20. Happening in my small Iowa town, too.
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 09:19 PM
Thursday

One person posted to our FB community page about her cut wires on her outdoor decorations, and others said it had happened to them, as well.

ProfessorGAC

(70,512 posts)
23. Our Sentiment Exactly
Fri Dec 20, 2024, 07:23 AM
Yesterday

But, I've had this attitude about such pranks my whole life.
Never got why vandalism (anonymously) was ever cool or funny.

nuxvomica

(12,988 posts)
22. Sad that someone thought this "prank" was cool
Fri Dec 20, 2024, 06:20 AM
Yesterday

What kind of person wastes their time on that? It's a very beautiful display, so beautiful it probably reminded the prankster how miserable their own existence is. Pity them.

Niagara

(9,842 posts)
26. I'm sorry that happened to your display, ProfessorGAC
Sat Dec 21, 2024, 11:22 AM
10 hrs ago

I'm glad that you were able to repair your beautiful display.

ProfessorGAC

(70,512 posts)
28. Alas, Something Will Take Its Place
Sat Dec 21, 2024, 11:48 AM
10 hrs ago

Some US techbro will see the demise of TT as an opportunity.
They might even import influencers to grab an instant viewer base.
Then, that platform will energize this behavior.

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