thanks for the tip...
i was hoping that my landlord would deal with this, but it looks like they're being their lazy selves.

anyway, i didn't mean to hijack the thread. just trying to commiserate. parasites or no, poop is poop and it sucks having to clean it up.

...name the dog Bruno...or dig up the lawn...first is simpler

You can always tell them that if their next tenant sues their pants off cause their 2-year old suffered permanent brain damage due to raccoon roundworm encephalitis contracted from playing in raccoon poop, I told you so.

Maybe they'll take some action if they see it may threaten their pocketbook.

If it goes in the same spot every time, sprinkle ground cayenne pepper over the area. I know that this can work to stop dogs from digging, and it might also stop them from pooping. Once they've had a snout-full, they won't want to sniff anywhere near that spot again.

And yes, it works on bloodhounds too -- see "Cool Hand Luke"

Personally I would go with the video camera set up and set your alarm to have it go off at in time to turn it on. I have to say I like the auto sprinkler idea, and be sure it throws a wide swath--we want the owner involved in this negative reinforcement program as well.