Q&A: Taking the Law into One’s Own Hands Against Someone Who Seizes Public Property
Taking the Law into One’s Own Hands Against Someone Who Seizes Public Property
Question
Someone in our community planted trees on a public lawn adjacent to his house, which he has long had his eye on annexing to his garden. He was refused, because children play on that lawn and mothers spread out mats there and the like. And indeed, from the moment the trees were planted, there is almost no use of the lawn that would not damage the trees. The head of the committee is avoiding dealing with it on the excuse that his position is voluntary and he is not willing to get into a fight with the person who planted them. Am I permitted to uproot his trees in front of all his people, please, and throw them like dung into his yard?
Answer
Simply put, no, since the committee has the authority to decide whether there will be trees there or not. Moreover, the trees now belong to the public.
You can of course file a complaint and take action against the planter and the committee, or alternatively rouse the public against them and replace the committee.