Neighbors of Missing Boy Complain of Property Damage, Theft

As volunteers continue their search for 11-year-old Terry Smith tonight, some residents in the missing boy's Menifee neighborhood are co...

As volunteers continue their search for 11-year-old Terry Smith tonight, some residents in the missing boy's Menifee neighborhood are complaining about a lack of respect for their property by some individuals.

A former resident of Helen Lane -- the street where the boy lives -- said he has spoken to neighbors who have experienced property damage and thefts they attribute to search team members.

"Neighbors have been reporting searchers climbing their fences and destroying them, even when people were home to open the gates, and stealing tools off their property while searching," said the former Menifee resident, who asked not to be identified. "Everyone understands how important this is, but disrespect and theft are totally unnecessary."

Although volunteer search efforts were much more organized today than Monday, the rush of people at the command center in front of Menifee Market on Scott Road has at times been hectic. Tonight, an electronic street sign warning drivers and pedestrians to be cautious was posted.








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  1. I understand Menifee residents concern about there properties etc. But please it’s a 11 y/o Male boy in danger here Life is always first no matter what you can replace property but you cant replace a lost child. Lets find this little boy first then will deal with any other trouble people may have about their properties etc. But come on people it’s a boy life on the line here. A little boy is lost let’s worry about him before anything else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I share your sentiment exactly.

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    2. I don't. Especially if I'd already made sure there wasn't anyone in my house and they still insisted on invading my privacy.

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    3. I'm not sure if I could disagree with you more. At this point, it is the day after the body was recovered, but how can you justify the damaging and theft of private property? The first day of searches was ridiculous with regards to the unorganized, zealous nature of some of the searchers assuming that they knew what to do.

      Delete
  2. We are praying for Terry to be found safe and sound.

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  3. People will use the search effort as a disguise to scope out others property. When this finally comes to a conclusion and the police have abandoned the scene expect homes to be broken into by those that think what belongs to someone else belongs to them. Be careful not to let any of the searchers know your everyday routine. If you can have someone home at all hours when the searchers are out there. Yes there are good people who are honestly searching for this boy but there are unscrupulous people out there also. If you work at night and leave your home unsupervised then those with ulterior motives will learn your habits. Just be careful and watch out for your neighbors homes also.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. stop complainining. they said no homes were broken into so chill out.

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    2. You really didn't read the OPs comment, did you?

      Delete
  4. how sad this has come to be an everyday occurrence. those people who take advantage of a situation like this are scum

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  5. This is a bit much. If it were their family member missing, they wouldn't think about a fence. I wouldn't care if you tore my gate off if you thought my grandchild was in there. I am sorry but I don't believe these volunteers are out there stealing and destroying. Sounds to me like some neighbors just like to complain. If it is true, then state your name and show your face.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They don't need to state or show ANYTHING to you. Not your call.

      Delete
  6. I had a bunch try to tell me that I was required to let them on my property to search, I told them I had three dogs that would have made sure if Terry or anyone were on my property, but the one girl insisted I allow them on, and when I told them 'NO!' she said she would call the police, I said go ahead. they had no reason to be on my property at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you. Glad you stood your ground.

      Delete
  7. This is what happens when you get "wannabe" hero's doing the work that professionals do. Amateurs should stay at home before they end up lost or injured.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. pathetic...you wouldnt care if someone broke into an house to look and see if your child were in there if they were missing. I was out there looking for terry and your calling me a "wannabe" like seriously get a life.!!!

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  8. Its true that some people are taking advantage of the situation. My husband and son were there on Monday and had brought their own water and snacks but said that people had brought their little kids for free food provided for the searchers. When my husband returned to the base camp, the food was all gone. Many of the people there wanted to be in front of the TV cameras and the free food.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The rescue workers need to realize that this privet property surrounded buy a fence and the HAVE TO HAVE PERMISSION to enter. They are not above the law and the searchers can be placed under arrest for trespassing if the owner presses charges.
    I would let them check out my property but some people are just strange.
    Do not jump someones fence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. people jump fences for balls all the time... i would tear down a fence just to find a missing boy

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    2. Guess you'd be payin' for that fence too after you found nothing... ;)

      Delete
  10. The 4th Amendment states "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

    If someone forbids you to go on their property, guess what, you're not searching there. If the police have probable cause to search someones property they can get a warrant.

    The situation of a missing child is a sad and grievous one, however you cannot arbitrarily trample the rights of others no matter how good your intentions are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. pathetic...you wouldnt care if someone broke into an house to look and see if your child were in there if they were missing.

      Delete
    2. If there is any reasonable suspicion that a missing child is on the property of an individual that has forbidden people from searching it, the police would have no problem getting a warrant and searching to their hearts content.

      It is easy to get caught up in emotions. America a nation of rights and freedoms. You can't pick and choose what rights individuals have or freedoms of theirs you'll violate based upon your own convenience.

      Delete
  11. I find it hard to believe that a myriad of people are stealing from the neighbors. And I also find it amazing that a "reporter" would state as much based on heresay of an unnamed "former resident". Furthermore, just because volunteers ate the food provided doesn't necessarily mean that they were only there for free food. That's what it's for, right? To eat? Get a life, people. It's not about YOU.

    ReplyDelete
  12. To the complainers you sound like some real freindless sourpusses if a missing 11 year old boys life dosent soften ur hearts up it must be so misetable to be you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And to everyone with your attitude--I'd be peeved too if people were insisting on going onto my property after I said NO. And for all of you whining about "Well, if it was YOUR kid, you'd WANT someone to look & wouldn't care and blah, blah, blah..." Tired of "if a missing 11 year-old boy's life doesn't soften ur hearts up it must be so 'misetable' to be you...." sentiments. People have a right to their privacy and property. If you say NO--the answer is NO. You can NOT search my property. Unless the police have reason to do so, then you DON'T go in there. I'm sure these people had checked for this boy already and hadn't found him. After that---nobody's got any business trespassing after being told "NO!".

      Delete

Readers are invited to leave a comment to contribute to public dialogue. Comments will be reviewed by a moderator and will not be approved if they include profanity, defamatory or libelous comments, or may otherwise be considered objectionable by Menifee 24/7 editors.

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