Thoughts? Sounds like the homeowner can’t win.

[Gibbs_dontbanmetom]

I get wanting to keep kids safe but shouldn’t the homeowner be able to keep their property from being vandalized?
if this was approved by the city/code, would they still make them removed it?
I laugh a bit because I had a barbwire fence right by our place. Had to crawl under or through that thing multiple times while playing basketball as the ball would go rolling under to the other side. I guess i should have had my parents cry about it as it was our neighbors fence. What’s truly crazy is my siblings and I never once got hurt from it.

Barbed-wire fence at home next to elementary sparks concerns https://www.kcrg.com/2026/08/26/barbed-wire-fence-next-iowa-city-elementary-sparks-safety-concerns/

 

[baltimorened]

I get wanting to keep kids safe but shouldn’t the homeowner be able to keep their property from being vandalized?
if this was approved by the city/code, would they still make them removed it?
I laugh a bit because I had a barbwire fence right by our place. Had to crawl under or through that thing multiple times while playing basketball as the ball would go rolling under to the other side. I guess i should have had my parents cry about it as it was our neighbors fence. What’s truly crazy is my siblings and I never once got hurt from it.

Barbed-wire fence at home next to elementary sparks concerns https://www.kcrg.com/2026/08/26/barbed-wire-fence-next-iowa-city-elementary-sparks-safety-concerns/

don't need all that...just a couple of signs "DANGER, MINEFIELD"

 

[Gibbs_dontbanmetom]

don't need all that...just a couple of signs "DANGER, MINEFIELD"

I guess maybe that’s the next step. It’s going to be unfortunate when one of the kids gets blown up

 

[jimneffer]

plant some barberries, shrub roses, and hawthorn trees

 

[CaptainObvious]

I am pretty sure they have some large spaztastic dogs.

 

[OnlyTheObscure]

This is where a targeted flock type camera would make sense provided their is some documentation of the vandalism corroborated by police.

 

[Gibbs_dontbanmetom]

Does anyone else not feel it’s a bit odd the one mom was worried about her autistic kid walking into the fence because he doesn’t pay attention to his surroundings or something along those lines. There’s a freaking road on the other side of the sidewalk.

 

[AFM22]

Did they have a permit? Looks like in Iowa city you 1. Need a permit, 2. Cannot build a barbed wire fence or electric fence closer than 5 feet from the sidewalk.

Sounds like they did neither.

 

[Gibbs_dontbanmetom]

Did they have a permit? Looks like in Iowa city you 1. Need a permit, 2. Cannot build a barbed wire fence or electric fence closer than 5 feet from the sidewalk.

Sounds like they did neither.

Not sh.it?!? You mean exactly what they said in the article. Maybe just maybe that’s why i asked if it was something approved (it’s not) by the city. Would enough people still cry and force them to take it down.

 

[hopefultiger13]

WAY too expensive. Put that single wire of electrical fencing up. Then add a sign that says "Pee on me!".

 

[SB_SB]

I love when a parent expects everyone else to make changes so they don't have to be responsible for their kid. If someone has an autistic child that isn't paying attention, then they need to be with that child. Or accept that child might get stuck a few times and actually learn from it.

 

[Outbackbowl2017]

I guess maybe that’s the next step. It’s going to be unfortunate when one of the kids gets blown up

 

[JMNSH0]

There are numerous better tools to do the job.

The only thing that makes barbed wire useful is its potential to injure (even its deterrant factor is predicated on its ability to injure). Putting something up, when its main utility is dependent on its ability to injure, is a clear sign of intent to injure.

 

[McLovin32]

I love when a parent expects everyone else to make changes so they don't have to be responsible for their kid. If someone has an autistic child that isn't paying attention, then they need to be with that child. Or accept that child might get stuck a few times and actually learn from it.

Yeah, the autistic elementary school child just needs to get hurt and learn.

 

[Finance85]

Motion activated sprinkler aimed just at the yard.

 

[SB_SB]

Yeah, the autistic elementary school child just needs to get hurt and learn.

Why is there an autistic elementary child walking alone. Maybe it's the parent that needs to learn.

 

[McLovin32]

Why is there an autistic elementary child walking alone.

Why is there a barbed wire fence around a house in a residential neighborhood?

The "vandalism" that's been "going on for years" that none of the neighbors know about? There's zero doubt in my mind these people are disliked by everyone around them because of BS like this.

 

[SB_SB]

Why is there a barbed wire fence around a house in a residential neighborhood?

The "vandalism" that's been "going on for years" that none of the neighbors know about? There's zero doubt in my mind these people are disliked by everyone around them because of BS like this.

I have an idea, if you dislike them, stay the hell off their property. Walk on the other side of the street. Don't make excuses for a parent who won't walk their autistic child to school.

 

[McLovin32]

I have an idea, if you dislike them, stay the hell off their property. Walk on the other side of the street. Don't make excuses for a parent who won't walk their autistic child to school.

Amazing idea!

Here's another. If people vandalize your property, get some cameras. Get evidence. Turn them in. Don't make excuses and put all the neighborhood children at risk with a dumb barbed wife fence. As others have mentioned, there's plenty of other ways to go about this.

But we can agree to disagree here. I can tell you're getting your panties in a bunch.

 

[SB_SB]

Amazing idea!

Here's another. If people vandalize your property, get some cameras. Get evidence. Turn them in. Don't make excuses and put all the neighborhood children at risk with a dumb barbed wife fence. As others have mentioned, there's plenty of other ways to go about this.

But we can agree to disagree here. I can tell you're getting your panties in a bunch.

You're the person with panties in a bunch, I'm free balling it. I grew up in a neighborhood where the back property had barbed wire. It was no big deal. Who wants to get camera and then have to deal with calling the police.

 

[Scott559]

 

[McLovin32]

You're the person with panties in a bunch, I'm free balling it. I grew up in a neighborhood where the back property had barbed wire. It was no big deal. Who wants to get camera and then have to deal with calling the police.

Yeah sorry, things have changed over the last 70 years. I know folks your age hate change, but barbed wire fences aren't needed in the city anymore. You also grew up without computers, I recommend you take a step away from yours now because you're looking foolish

 

[SB_SB]

Yeah sorry, things have changed over the last 70 years. I know folks your age hate change, but barbed wife fences aren't needed in the city anymore. You also grew up without computers, I recommend you take a step away from yours now because you're looking foolish

You're a little off on my age. I have a Computer Science degree from Iowa so you're computer insult is kind of stupid. I'm currently writing AI Agents using LangChain4j. How are your computer skills? Obviously barbed wire fences are needed, because there's idiots who can't control their children or don't want to spend the time being a real parent. At some point you need to tell your dumbass kids to respect other people's property.

 

[jimneffer]

You're a little off on my age. I have a Computer Science degree from Iowa so you're computer insult is kind of stupid. I'm currently writing AI Agents using LangChain4j. How are your computer skills? Obviously barbed wire fences are needed, because there's idiots who can't control their children or don't want to spend the time being a real parent. At some point you need to tell your dumbass kids to respect other people's property.

if they "need" a barbed wire fence, then they probably should have followed the process to legally install one.

according to the article, they didn't. so they have to remove it.

i'm not sure what the problem is here.

 

[SB_SB]

if they "need" a barbed wire fence, then they probably should have followed the process to legally install one.

according to the article, they didn't. so they have to remove it.

i'm not sure what the problem is here.

I agree they should have installed a legal fence. they screwed themselves because now they won't be allowed one. But that doesn't change the fact that there's idiot parents and kids who are so entitled they think they should be able to control what goes on at someone else's house.

 

[McLovin32]

You're a little off on my age. I have a Computer Science degree from Iowa so you're computer insult is kind of stupid. I'm currently writing AI Agents using LangChain4j. How are your computer skills? Obviously barbed wire fences are needed, because there's idiots who can't control their children or don't want to spend the time being a real parent. At some point you need to tell your dumbass kids to respect other people's property.

Please show me in the article where it says the vandalism came from the children. You're making things up to try and help support your idiotic defense here.

 

[McLovin32]

I agree they should have installed a legal fence. they screwed themselves because now they won't be allowed one. But that doesn't change the fact that there's idiot parents and kids who are so entitled they think they should be able to control what goes on at someone else's house.

Your panties are in a bunch again.

 

[jimneffer]

I agree they should have installed a legal fence. they screwed themselves because now they won't be allowed one. But that doesn't change the fact that there's idiot parents and kids who are so entitled they think they should be able to control what goes on at someone else's house.

if you say so. i've dealt with assh*le neighbors who flipped out over the dumbest stuff that i don't automatically assume they are telling the truth

 

[SB_SB]

Your panties are in a bunch again.

Not sure how you came to that conclusion, I actually agreed with the poster. But you just keep trying to throw out insults because that's all you have.

 

[SB_SB]

Please show me in the article where it says the vandalism came from the children. You're making things up to try and help support your idiotic defense here.

I don't know or care who the vandals are. You didn't answer the question after trying to insult me and my age, what are your computer skills?

 

[AFM22]

I would be pissed if a neighbor put up a barbed wire fence right next to the sidewalk because it would make the rest of us look poor.

 

[SB_SB]

if you say so. i've dealt with assh*le neighbors who flipped out over the dumbest stuff that i don't automatically assume they are telling the truth

If you say so. I've dealt with assh*le parents who flip out because they sometimes have to be a parent. Kind of goes both ways, doesn't it.

 

[jimneffer]

If you say so. I've dealt with assh*le parents who flip out because they sometimes have to be a parent. Kind if goes both ways, doesn't it.

the issue is someone illegally installing a purposefully dangerous fence in their front yard

i don't know how this became a referendum on parenting. my parents did a good job, but i still did dumb stuff as a kid. they certainly didn't control my actions at every minute of every day.

maybe i'm a bleeding heart, but i don't think people should purposefully injure children for the supposed crime of "walking along the ledge on their property".

and if they do...they should get the f*cking permit

 

[BroncHawk]

Your panties are in a bunch again.

Try “you’re”, they might understand you more better

I have a Computer Science degree from Iowa so you're computer insult is kind of stupid.

 

[McLovin32]

the issue is someone illegally installing a purposefully dangerous fence in their front yard

i don't know how this became a referendum on parenting. my parents did a good job, but i still did dumb stuff as a kid. they certainly didn't control my actions at every minute of every day.

maybe i'm a bleeding heart, but i don't think people should purposefully injure children for the supposed crime of "walking along the ledge on their property".

Yeah I have no clue how this bounced into blaming parents for not wanting to parent, neighbors/children being entitled and trying to control what goes on at someone else's house, and "dumbass kids needing to respect property"


Ol SB has created an entire story to try and defend the idiot homeowners that didn't do things correctly.

 

[AFM22]

the issue is someone illegally installing a purposefully dangerous fence in their front yard

I get wanting people to stop fking with their property, but ya, this feels along the lines of putting booby traps in your house. They know it can harm someone, and they'd get sued if it actually did.

It's also probably not just school parents upset. If I was a neighbor I'd be calling the city about it. That's a cute neighborhood in that area. No need for barbed wire.

It's better for everyone to take it down.

 

[SB_SB]

the issue is someone illegally installing a purposefully dangerous fence in their front yard

i don't know how this became a referendum on parenting. my parents did a good job, but i still did dumb stuff as a kid. they certainly didn't control my actions at every minute of every day.

maybe i'm a bleeding heart, but i don't think people should purposefully injure children for the supposed crime of "walking along the ledge on their property".

It became about parenting because of this statement from a parent.

Allison Offerman lives in the neighborhood with her two children. She said her son uses the sidewalk next to the home to get to school.
“It makes me worried. I have a son who’s autistic and he doesn’t always pay attention to his surroundings,” Offerman said.

If you have an autistic son who doesn't always pay attention to his surroundings, then it might be best to actually walk your child to school. There's a lot worse things that can happen then getting stuck by a barbed wire fence.

 

[jimneffer]

I get wanting people to stop fking with their property, but ya, this feels along the lines of putting booby traps in your house. They know it can harm someone, and they'd get sued if it actually did.

It's also probably not just school parents upset. If I was a neighbor I'd be calling the city about it. That's a cute neighborhood in that area. No need for barbed wire.

It's better for everyone to take it down.

the article says the fence is in the public right of way...which if you look at the parcel viewer of johnson county (which aren't always 100% accurate), seems to be the case

so they put the fence up ON PUBLIC PROPERTY

but sure...the issue here is bad parenting

 

[SB_SB]

Try “you’re”, they might understand you more better

You do know I said computer science degree, right? Still waiting for McLovin to provide his computer skills.

 

[jimneffer]

It became about parenting because of this statement from a parent.

Allison Offerman lives in the neighborhood with her two children. She said her son uses the sidewalk next to the home to get to school.
“It makes me worried. I have a son who’s autistic and he doesn’t always pay attention to his surroundings,” Offerman said.

If you have an autistic son who doesn't always pay attention to his surroundings, then it might be best to actually walk your child to school. There's a lot worse things that can happen then getting stuck by a barbed wire fence.

no you're right

this mom has no right to object to a homeowner illegally installing a purposefully dangerous fence on public property, next to a school