I meet the neighbors girlfriend.

[easyrider]

So I sent out about 45 letters with my name and number to my neighbors. Most of them know me personally. The letter to the bad neighbor came back to me as their mailbox is locked. I personally take the letter over and knock on the door. The girlfriend answers. She is very nice until she realizes its me. She then calls her boyfriend who reads the letter in front of me and walks off. She then tells me that the deputy that showed up to talk to them on Thursday morning is her uncle. All in all, she is pleasant.

I call the sheriffs dept to find out if the duputy is her uncle and ask for the case number. In the meantime my phone has been ringing about every twenty minutes from a neighbor who received my letter. The neighbors tell me that they had issues earlier this month with these same people. The Sheriff has been called twice before this month for fireworks and loud music. One neighbor said that these kids cussed out her kids and took their basket ball.

The girlfriend calls me to explain what she thinks happened. Her kids are angels and her boyfriend is not at fault for anything. I tell her about what had happened at my house, the next door neighbor house and the two homes across the street from her. I tell I know that the Sheriff has been at her home 3 times this month.

She then says she does in fact know the land owners in our area and starts dropping names. I tell her these people have never met her or know her and that I have spoke with most of them. She then tells me my letter puts her family in a bad light like they are the bad neighbors or something.

I tell that they in fact are the bad neighbors and explain that the Deputy has been to her house 3 times this month. She then tells me that the people across the street didn't really have a real problem and that they are nosy. She tells me its not uncommon for kids to behave badly. I agreed but then told her that in the presence of her boyfriend and her they still act badly.

Remaining calm, I ask her if she might want to join our block watch. She says she might. I ask for her full name, PO Box, email address. She gives me all the info including her wrong name.

I say thank you and that in other business we are planning to change out water connections soon and explain that all of the spray paint is to locate underground utilities and that we will be working on their connection soon.

So far 14 people have decided to be on the block watch.

 

[Ridewithme38]

I hate to say it, but i think your asking for trouble

 

[easyrider]

I hate to say it, but i think your asking for trouble

Maybe, but its like I always say, If you gotta eat crap, eat it fast.

 

[laurac260]

I hate to say it, but i think your asking for trouble

Yep, I'm with you on this one.

 

[easyrider]

More calls from neighbors complaining about the new bad neighbors are coming in.

A single working mom has caught the teenagers at her home trying to get into her window. She is a bit freaked out because these kids cussed at her and left like they owned the property.They had removed the screen.

My next door neighbor who is 103 years old has heard noise around the outside of his home. We found footpints by his back windows and his motion detector lights have been unscrewed. We tightened them and wala.

People are reporting that their secuity lights have been unscrewed.

My security light has been tampered with. I just tightened the bulbs and on they came.

 

[laurac260]

Yep, I'm with you on this one.

Years ago in a previous neighborhood I had an ongoing problem with some "bad seeds" in da 'hood. I guess most people there just learned to steer clear, but since I was new, I didn't get the memo.

Details aren't important, but there was a call to the Sheriff, there was a judgment filed against me, and there were two court dates. On the second court date the judge threw the case out with prejudice, but not before I had shelled out $1200 to defend my good name. In addition, there were some neighbors who sided with the other person, and it caused tension for the remainder of the time I lived there. I was completely in the right, but what did it get me, really? These weren't rational people, just as those you are dealing with don't appear to be, either, and you can never win with the irrational.

Moral of the story, sometimes you are better off just to keep your head down and your trap shut.

_______________
oops, meant to edit previous reply, not reply to myself!

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

All that's necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to look the other way.

 

[easyrider]

Its usually dark at night in our neighborhood but many neighbors have decided to leave their lights on for the time being. I haven't seen the neighborhood this lit up ever. Were now up to 22 homes wanting to participate in the Block Watch.

 

[easyrider]

All that's necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to look the other way.

That is exactly how we feel.

 

[Ridewithme38]

All that's necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to look the other way.

But there is a big difference between true evil, people like, Hitler, Hussein & Pet Cats and kids with dumb parents screwing around.....I think easyrider is very close to having harassment charges filed against them....

If you see them doing something report them, contact the police, but don't blame every broken branch on them and then start a gossip campaign about them....that only makes You the bad guy

I've been a kid who screwed around, i hung out in neighbors houses when they weren't home, had loud parties on the weekends, threw beer bottles over the fence at the unfriendly neighbors house....i was brought home by the police on several occasions....it's just kid stuff, trust me, if your more friendly, they'll be alot less likely to mess with your stuff

But the really bad neighbors well spinning out the car tires on their front lawn, ripping decorations down, slashing tires, ripping convertable roofs are all pretty common....hell i've never done it, but molotov cocktail's through front windows aren't unheard of

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer would be what i would recommend here

 

[presley]

I am worried by your approach, Easy, only because these people might be completely insane. Last thing you need is more ammo for them to get back at you. I'd really try restraining order, surveillance and keeping logs of all weirdness before going after them on your own.

A few blocks away from my home, there was a whacked out neighbor that everyone on his cul-de-sac couldn't stand. One family used to get into with him. On easter, he walked around their house shooting bullets all the way around. Two people dead, grandparents killed in front of their young grandchildren, and the guy is in prison now. I doubt he would have shot their house up like that if their adult child didn't park in front of his house and get in a yelling match with him a few minutes before that.

 

[pjrose]

I am worried by your approach, Easy, only because these people might be completely insane. Last thing you need is more ammo for them to get back at you. I'd really try restraining order, surveillance and keeping logs of all weirdness before going after them on your own.

Many Thumbs Up.

Easy, take it EASY!

 

[easyrider]

If you see them doing something report them, contact the police, but don't blame every broken branch on them and then start a gossip campaign about them....that only makes You the bad guy

I've been a kid who screwed around, i hung out in neighbors houses when they weren't home, had loud parties on the weekends, threw beer bottles over the fence at the unfriendly neighbors house....i was brought home by the police on several occasions....it's just kid stuff, trust me, if your more friendly, they'll be alot less likely to mess with your stuff.

Ride, the 45 year old boyfriend who is coaching these delinquents has a criminal record with multiple felonies. Its not just me that is having issues with these people. I looked up his name in the court records and he has multiple "guilty" of possession of stolen property. This is not a gossip campaign or a game. I want these people to be very aware that we are all watching them. 30 something of the 45 neighbors have called me with around 20 showing interest in being on the Block Watch.

I'm pretty sure that if they move across town that they won't be messing with my stuff. That is where I want them, 5 mile away from here.

 

[pjrose]

Ride, the 45 year old boyfriend who is coaching these delinquents has a criminal record with multiple felonies. Its not just me that is having issues with these people. I looked up his name in the court records and he has multiple "guilty" of possession of stolen property. This is not a gossip campaign or a game. I want these people to be very aware that we are all watching them. 30 something of the 45 neighbors have called me with around 20 showing interest in being on the Block Watch.

I'm pretty sure that if they move across town that they won't be messing with my stuff. That is where I want them, 5 mile away from here.

OK but don't be a vigilante. Keep bugging the cops to take care of them.

 

[glypnirsgirl]

Having worked as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney, here are some things that I have learned:

1. A restraining order is just a piece of paper. It only works on the rational, not the irrational.

2. The police cannot protect you, they just try to press charges when they have sufficient evidence to make an arrest.

3. If no one is gathering the evidence by keeping a watch out and keeping notes, there is no evidence for the police to work with.

4. Your best defense is a strong, vigilant and relentless offense.

5. You cannot change people. but you can make them uncomfortable.

6. When someone is dangerous, they don't become less dangerous by being left alone.

7. And sometimes it doesn't matter how well you play the game, how hard you work, how vigilant you are, you still lose.

I applaud you --- especially for being inclusive rather than exclusive.

elaine

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

OK but don't be a vigilante. Keep bugging the cops to take care of them.

For the cops to take care of a situation, a crime needs to have already been committed, and there needs to sufficient evidence to prosecute beyond a reasonable doubt, and the crime needs to be sufficiently serious to result in a penalty that removes the perp from the situation and not leave the perp where he or she is to continue working their mayhem. Or start exacting revenge against the people who called the cops.

IOW, by the time the cops have enough to take care of the situation it's too late. The effective deterrent is exactly what Easyrider is doing - mobilize the community and try to make it so uncomfortable for them to do their thing that they move elsewhere.

Very similar to how a community I previously lived in dealt with a drug dealer that moved in. After four months he couldn't take it anymore and moved someplace else where people were more willing to look the other way.

 

[dougp26364]

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer would be what i would recommend here

Worked great in the movie. Has nothing to do with real life.

 

[Talent312]

Perhaps the "trap a rat" approach would work...
Put something outside that they might think valuable. Train a surveillance camera on it.
When one of 'em comes by to take it, you'll have evidence for the police.

I know of a fellow who put a video camera on his window AC pointed in his neighbor's direction and another hidden just inside the window. The recording showed the neighbor coming up to the window and grabbing the camera. The guy was prosecuted and pled to Burglary.

-----------------
The twist: The fellow with the camera later tried to get his neighbor's probation revoked for violating a no-contact order. He was harrasing camera-guy over some photos the guy had taken inside his neighbor's house. What was so important about these photos that the neighbor would risk his probation? Camera-guy was having an affair with this neighbor's wife, and had some nude photos of her.
------------------
True Story.
.

 

[Sir Newf]

Above all, please don't get yourself in trouble, stay cool.
Here's what we are doing with idiot neighbors who tresspass, steal, physical harassment ( a charge has been filed)..
As per police: we installed a couple cameras at each entrance, front & back. These are Lorex which are easy to install and record activity even at night. Approx $200-$300 Amazon, and we light the front @ back w/rope lighting from home depot with 12 hr night timers they light up large area pretty evenly near entrances and windows. Above each camera we have additional lights. After a few months I think you'll notice the nuts will stop and hopefully move. By the way, our neighbors are high level corporate professionals (2 men) who are wacky as the day is long, you are not alone- nuts are everywhere....good luck and many Blessings in 2012.

 

[laurac260]

All that's necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to look the other way.

I completely agree. I wouldn't "look the other way". But I also wouldn't be courting trouble with these people. Being right doesn't always make you the winner. Been there, believe me. They have now made Easy a target, because he has made himself an "easy" one. In other words, he has shown himself as one who is easy to provoke. Set up surveillance cameras, call the police when warranted, document behavior, but let the other neighbors do this for themselves. You could find yourself with a harassment case filed against you. It's happened.

And since these people have already shown their hand as someone who carries firearms regularly, and because you have already shown your hand that you do as well, well I fear for the outcome when you both confront each other again. This is not what the Second Amendment was intended for, irrational, angry people with a chip on their shoulder walking around with "iron courage" strapped to their waistbands.

 

[Don]

Having worked as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney, here are some things that I have learned:

1. A restraining order is just a piece of paper. It only works on the rational, not the irrational.

2. The police cannot protect you, they just try to press charges when they have sufficient evidence to make an arrest.

3. If no one is gathering the evidence by keeping a watch out and keeping notes, there is no evidence for the police to work with.

4. Your best defense is a strong, vigilant and relentless offense.

5. You cannot change people. but you can make them uncomfortable.

6. When someone is dangerous, they don't become less dangerous by being left alone.

7. And sometimes it doesn't matter how well you play the game, how hard you work, how vigilant you are, you still lose.

I applaud you --- especially for being inclusive rather than exclusive.

elaine

In regards to # 2; you have to remember that when seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

 

[antjmar]

Did you speak to the landlord?

Hopefully he wouldn't want this {person} in his house and will "find" a reason to get him out!

If he cares about the neighborhood and cant get him out now hopefully he wont renew the lease.

 

[Elan]

I absolutely believe easyrider is doing the right thing. Once these scum figure out they're not going to be getting away with much in his neighborhood, they'll likely move on.

 

[Phydeaux]

And since these people have already shown their hand as someone who carries firearms regularly, and because you have already shown your hand that you do as well, well I fear for the outcome when you both confront each other again. This is not what the Second Amendment was intended for, irrational, angry people with a chip on their shoulder walking around with "iron courage" strapped to their waistbands.

I would feel just the opposite. And this is precisely why many choose to conceal carry. In the event the low brow, toe walking mouth-breather neighbor pulls a weapon on me or one of my family members, I will be in a position to defend myself. Not end up defenseless and dead, like so many others that were not prepared or unwilling to defend themselves.

 

[dougp26364]

I would feel just the opposite. And this is precisely why many choose to conceal carry. In the event the low brow, toe walking mouth-breather neighbor pulls a weapon on me or one of my family members, I will be in a position to defend myself. Not end up defenseless and dead, like so many others that were not prepared or unwilling to defend themselves.

Once someone pulls a weapon on you, it's usually a little late to reach for yours. The ONLY thing that goes through you mind when someone has a gun trained on you is thoughts about your family, followed by is this going to hurt.

Been there, done that. Better to be proactive than reactive. Over confidence in a situation just because you have a weapon yourself can lead to unintended tragic results.