SHAWANO, WI – Police Chief Mike Musolff says items that are not intended for disposal can sometimes be mistaken as free for the taking, leading to theft. “If somebody has a basketball hoop down at the road, the basketball hoop is not fair game. That is theft,” Musolff said.
Musolff says his department has seen multiple incidents in the past, including basketball hoops and even wheelbarrows being taken after being left near yard waste. In some cases, people have dumped out yard debris from containers just to take the item itself.
While it’s common for people to look through curbside piles during cleanup, Musolff says residents should use common sense and respect property. “Make sure it’s junk, chances are an expensive basketball hoop is not going to be somebody’s junk,” he said.
He also advises residents to move valuable items, including children’s toys, bikes, and sports equipment, closer to their homes during cleanup week to avoid confusion or theft.
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