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It's a non-issue here, mail is delivered right to our doors. But I did trip over this interesting website & article reprinted from Atlantic Monthly
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While I, too, have been guilty of building a "Bullet Proof" Mailbox (1/4" Corten Steel, looked just like one of those big black ones). But the Federal and State DOT's all have laws requiring "Break away" posts on any sign, mailbox or other obstruction within the "Right Away" of a Federal, State OR County road or highway.
The recommended post is either a redwood or cedar 4 X 4, with a 3/4" hole drilled in it at grade level.
Should a hapless motorist be injured when running over a "Bullet proof box and post" you may be persecuted and possibly held liable for all injuries and damages to said "Hapless Motorist" (No driving dumb S---!)
It's a Shame it's this way . . . but all you liberals, make sure you vote for John and John, they'll see to it that more laws like these are put into force each year and session of Congress . . . We have to make laws to protect us from ourselves, th' guv'mint knows better!
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Hey, I'm not condoning box bashing or even saying "it's ok, it's just a prank".
I'm saying that everybody has done something that hasn't measured up to the letter of the law.
TP'ing someone's trees for instance. Innocent fun? Doesn't hurt anybodies property? Think again....it's a form of vandalism and property destruction. Anything that causes a property owner time and effort or expense in cleaning up a purposefully enacted prank can be considered "vandalism".
And that includes soaping car/house windows.
Please...show me where a teenager was fined $250,000 dollars or thrown in the clink for 3 years for bashing someone's mailbox?! That's ludicrous.
quote: "Good kids", properly raised, do not commit felonies.
That's a little over the top, I think.
The emphasis you're placing on "felonies" as it relates to smashing a mailbox almost illicits visions of a 16 yr old being caught, tried and convicted of "mailbox murder" and escorted to the electric chair to pay for this horrendous felony with his life.
Shucks, Martha Stewart got less time for insider trading than some people would like to see justice exacted on a kid for popping a mailbox.
Now, if the mailbox marauder is a systematic, multiple instance repeat offender...and has a fixation on mailbox vandalism that escalates to higher forms of vandalism...then yes, they need some help from the local sheriff.
But think of the intent of those who are devising ways to "break the kid's arm" or cause him to suffer both physical and automotive damage.....yeah, "that's what they get, that'll show them". Maybe putting them in a wheelchair for life is justice enough, eh?
"Good kids" don't sit around devising methods of revenge including taking delight in intentionally maiming teenagers that cost you a $15 mailbox.
You're far better off to catch them in the act, either by camera/video or visual identification....calling the cops, and having them aplogize to the offended party, pay for the cost of the damage done, and do some community service where they can be held up to public humiliation from their community.
I'm glad I'm not walking around as an amputee simply because I bashed someone's mailbox.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Good one Joey, but the plotter you're doing it on has to be INSIDE your house, not out in the workshop. (that's Outsider trading... )
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7018 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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