dangerous and troublesome neighbors

[goodneighbor2]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Illinois

I have owned a townhome for 5 1/2 years. I have never had any problem with any of my neighbors at all, ever, anywhere. That is, until 10 months ago.

Before I am accused of being unreasonable, let me just say that in the 15 years that I've been living on my own or with a spouse and kids, I have never complained about a neighbor. I understand parties, noise, smells, junky cars, guests, kids and just about everything that goes on in people's lives every once in a while. But I do believe in being respectful and considerate of my neighbors and I expect to be treated that way. I have never retaliated during any of this nonsense.

The fourth owners of the townhome adjoining mine moved in. I tried to introduce myself and say hello, but I just got blank stares. The first week they were there they installed a pergo floor at all hours of the night. I let it go. They liked to play their music quite loud with the bass turned up, but I put up with it and resolved to talk with them at some point about it.

On Easter Sunday, they had a huge party. Their townhome is 2 small bedrooms and 1 1/2 bath. Not very big at all. The music (with the bass turned way up) was going all night. Around 9:00 p.m., I went over and politely asked them to turn the music down as it was vibrating the walls in my home and my kids were going to sleep. I got a blank stare from one and one told me that it's not late and pretty much that they would do as they pleased. Great. I went back in my house and lived with it until the noise ordinance went into effect at 10:00 p.m. when I called the police. An officer came out and talked with them and the music went down for about 15 minutes and was turned up again. I called the police again. Same cycle happended twice more until 5:00 a.m.

I called our homeowner's association the next day and made a complaint. Long story short, they were fined $1,000 and my car was keyed the next day. Things got a little better with the noise and I just tried to ignore them. They were disruptive all summer and into the fall, but I just lived with it. I made a complaint to the association in November and a couple of days later, my car was egged.

By that time, I was fed up. All around Christmas, the noise went on and I called the police. They started playing the music in 15 minute intervals.

They have 5-6 cars parked in their 1-car garage driveway and around our court. I don't think they work, there are at least 4-6 people living there, they take over the common areas and let the 8th grader and any visiting kids and animals (dogs and cats) run wild at all hours and they work on junker cars inside their closed garage. Is this not a fire hazard as well as an insurance risk?! And they drink so jmuch hard liquor, they have to put the bottles for recycling in a 20 gallon garbage can every week.

Finally, they came home on New Years Day at 3:30 a.m. and honked their horn a few times which got me out of bed. I went to my bedroom window which looks out over the front and saw them playing what amounts to kickball with a stray garbage can and recycling bin. And finally kick it into the space between me and my neighbor in the next building.

I knew that something had to be done and I couldn't live like this anymore. I started talking with my neighbors and found that many of them, even in other buildings and 4 units down, have had problems with them and have spoken to them about it. However they hadn't reported it to the association nor the police. I have now given them information and phone numbers.

They also confirmed something my daughter told me about the eighth grader driving down our street. I personally saw him leave the house at 10:00 p.m. the other night, in a snow storm, start one of their many cars around the circle and drive it around the circle doing donuts (wheels spinning and fishtailing) then up on the driveway.

So, I called the association to report it and went to the police station later in the week. I spoke with an investigator and told him the whole story.

I want to hire an attorney to deal with them. Does anyone have advice on what recourse I have?

 

[Florid-aise]

Yeah, I have advice. Two things. Keep doing what you have been doing; and, read the thread below,

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=210521

 

[Krohn1912]

Ugly, noisy neighbors in townhouse

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You are lucky in the fact you have an Association that will (should) work with you, hopefully, they will file any charges or have the Association attorney send these folks a letter.

Meanwhile, get a video camera and begin video taping. Make sure the date/time are on at all times while recording. What have you been waiting for anyways?

Also, Sam's Wholesale, Radio Shack, and online catalogs sell many types recording devices. There are systems as low as $39 per monitor, that you can install (monitors) in yours windows, supplied with plenty of cable for you to run to whatever you desire...TV, VCR, whatever. Tape 24/7. It's not necessary to review the tapes unless there is trouble or mischief. I paid a friend $200 to run cable from my attic, hidden down inside all my walls, installing a monitor in every window in my house. I had several little fox terriers and I can tell you who digs where. Another thing, someone was stealing from my jewelry box. The next family gathering, I simply turned the monitor in my bedroom window around...voile! Imagine their surprise when confronted.

In addition, I was able to identify a couple of juveniles who liked to toss rocks at our car. On a more serious note, a certain rogue cop who liked to sit in front of IAD and smugly ask "WHAT? You got it on video?" <<<Yeah, as a matter of fact, we do, courtesy of one of the neighbors>>>

Some states require that you have an attorney to make any type insurance claim for you. If those nasty next door, ugly spawns from hel* have a mortgage, they HAVE to have some type homeowner's insurance. It'd be really interesting to advise that company you have some most interesting video footage and that if it doesn't cease and desist, you'll be making a claim. Can you do that? I dunno. I'm thinking <<<YEP>>> It's called "liability."

Video tape the music, present it to the police when they arrive. Let them go BACK over there and inform those individuals <<<We just viewed video that disputes TOTALLY what you are saying>>> Hope they arrest them on the spot.

Do you give dookey? Then stop taking it. Fight back. Video footage doesn't lie and it's very entertaining in the proper arena.


Truthfully, from what you've said, I don't think they're going to be around for long. In my opinion, it's when they ARE gone you need those monitors in place, and working.

Hope I've helped and good luck.

 

[goodneighbor2]

Update and thank you

Thank you both so much for your replies. They have helped a lot. I spoke with my association manager on Friday who told me that the Neghbors from hell (NFH) were issued another $1,000 fine. I knew something was going to happen. Well, all weekend they were knocking on my wall and my neighbor's wall who live in the unit on the other side. There was loud music in 5-20 minute intervals and partying, honking in my driveway, etc. NFH are rebelling and trying to intimidate me.

Saturday night around 10:00 p.m. after returning home, I took my dog outside in the backyard. I found a dead bunny next to my patio - about a foot off the patio right by the door. I think I know what happened. Bunny did not look as if it had been mauled by an animal nor had it frozen to death as it was pliable when I attempted to scoop it up with the snow shovel. However it did have a small wound on it's chest. I kept said bunny in three-ply plastic bags in my garage. Because of the temps it should keep just fine until I can get animal control or police to look at it.

I called family for a reality check and called the detective who I spoke with previously. I will call the association to report it also. I have found security cameras and will be installing them as soon as they arrive.

Thank you so much for the advice. These boards have been a wonderful source of information.

 

[Florid-aise]

Thank you so much for the advice. These boards have been a wonderful source of information.

Whoop! Theya it is!

Whoop! Theya it is!

Do keep these boards updated, won't you?

Whoop! Theya it is!

Whoop! Theya it is!

 

[Krohn1912]

Nfh

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I'm hoping something I was able to come up with has been of help to you. There's the adage <<<If you want good neighbors, you have to be a good neighbor>>> That's true, yes?

Please do not procrastinate on the cameras. TV/VCR combo's are very competitive and at the very least, hook a camera into one and place it ASAP in at least ONE problem area. <<<Front window should do fine>>> Also, there are many "fake" cameras, but frankly my dear, the proof's in the pudding and if you've ever been in a court of law and had someone swear, under oath, that you're a d*** liar, it's really cool to pull a video out of your purse...let 'em lie a little more...pull another video out, file your nails, let 'em lie some more...yet another video...you get the picture.

I hope you video-taped the bunny, where you discovered it, that sort of thing.

Did you request via the detective to have him advise Patrol Div. to place you on extra patrol for a while?

COUNT your blessings in RE to the homeowner's association. I hope they send you a thank you letter or otherwise acknowledge your assistance.

It'll be alright...just watch your back once they're gone. God doesn't much like ugly ... things will work out.

 

[HB33]

This is what we did / are doing. We run a video around the clock. Picked up a nice security vcr with date/time on ebay. We burned up our first so it's best to get one that's made to run non stop. Setup 3 cameras and a switcher, primary an older sony that runs most the time. A newer sony that is good in night conditions into evening and then a small ir bullet camera to run over night. We spent like $50 on the deck which was amazing deal. Had the 2 cameras and picked up the wireless bullet / security cam on ebay for about $50. Place the cams at bottom of front window. Can either raise the blinds and shoot out of a 1 inch gap or right through the blinds without problems. Try to get license #s.

We really felt strange doing this at first, an officer suggested using a camera. Our lawyer, city officials and others said it's the saving grace. No one believed us until they saw the tapes, over 2 hours non stop exploits. City is prosecuting the second family then after a verdict we are taking both families to civil court to recoup for the years we've lost enjoyment of our property, stalking, slander and other offenses.

Don't make the mistake of trying to reason with them, they don't care. Everything you tell them will become a tool for them against you. Don't open up to them at all or anyone they know. You have to go legal as far as you can, it's the only thing that stops these kinds of people, hopefully.

One good thing.. the neighbor being charged has moved out.

Situation if interested:
We live in Ohio, very nice residence in good area of town - 22 years. Have gone through so many harassment exploits from neighbors that have teamed up against us. The other neighbors are watching but do not want to get involved, one is testifying. This has gone on for 3 years, the worst with a newer family over 2004 that are friends with the first. We asked the original neighbor to stop honking their horn at 6:45 am, stop using are driveway (we've had to wait for them to pull out before we could enter several times) stop driving through our yard and very nicely about 3 years ago. Parents and kids just started all kinds of stuff. We have fireworks & rocks thrown at our house. They and all of their friends drive by and honk for several blocks, day and night non stop. They got a new set of neighbors to take up the cause. The ladies father likes to drive by and yell at my wife when she is outside. She doesn't go out anymore. Kids stand in front of our house cup hands over mouth and scream. If we go outside for a walk, the youngest yells fire and they come out of the woodwork and start yelling, mocking and harassing. This lady follows us when we go for walks. Watches us with binoculars from upstairs window. She spent the whole summer wandering up and down this alley directly across our driveway and from house to house spreading rumors. She stood across the street two days in a row from our garage and video taped the inside of our garage. The following day she lead about 6 people up into our driveway just a few feet from our open garage to check it out.

This is the mode of operation, the neighbor woman calls some friends, have them do some exploit of some kind and claim are innocent. We call the police then we are harassing them. It's gone on for 10 months now with these new neighbors. She would walk around front yard with a phone and the cars would start driving by about 10 minutes later. This new neighbor lady has gone to everyone up and down the street and slandering us. Wife and I work at home always inside focusing on what needs to be done with our home businesses. These people seem to have endless free time and energy to do their deeds and get others to join in. Police don't offer much help, they always say they have to see it to make an arrest. They were mostly unaware of ordinances and state laws. They have patrolled but nothing ever happens when they are around, these guys know.

They didn't care if they were on tape or not. Turned it into the city and they are being prosecuted. The police just scratch their head when they see the tapes. We have cars one right after another coming up street blasting horns and yelling. Where we live, they are directly across the street from these families with an empty lot on both side so we are a bit isolated from neighbors.

 

[HB33]

State - Ohio. This is a follow up on the above post.. The original family that has been doing stuff for at least 3 years and provoked others to join in is moving after the others had. Their angelic sons got into a car and pulled up in front of the house and and just blasted the horn many times a few days ago. We got the license#, neighbor called us and gave the auto description. We caught it on tape and called the police. The officer viewed the incident and while he was there we asked if he wanted to see the previous few days and on a side note we showed him the dad and kids riding 4 wheelers doing wheelies in the alley and riding in the street. Not really an issue with us but we thought it might help. Truly, he had compassion and for the first time we actually got an officer to act. VIDEO WORKS. If you have neighbors that won't come forward, luckily we do, it may be your only proof. When you have 2 or 3 houses lying about what they are doing it's tough to get anyone to believe you any other way. The officer tracked the kids down and fixed that. Then later that night he visited the neighbors and let them lie a bit.. Then he said he saw the video. He said the look on the dad's face was shock.. He also told him we are going for a 6 figure civil suit. That helped. They must have thought we stopped taping after their cohorts moved. We'll stop taping when they stop harassing. After that it's been dead quiet and a for sale sign went up. We finally have some peace. But, they did go to the new neighbors and obviously have begun to motivate them. That's the problem, they have time to slander and provoke others to assault. Kind of like feathers in a pillow, how do you stop it? We think the best thing to do is wait til the neighbor gets a conviction then the lies won't fly, then pass a dvd around. That will clear everything up quick. The crazy thing is the original family is supposedly Christian. The dad is a pastor, they never miss church. The kids mock and harass us as they leave for church... great testimony. Regardless of what is said, the video takes no sides. It's the best defense.

Also, as others have done, make a time/date event log. It's helpful for events that may not be clear while viewed on video. We will be so glad to have this chapter in our lives finished. We really do sympathize with what others have and are going through posted here. It's just not right.

Wifey and I have been talking about a "Good Neighbor Law" to legislate. Very simple, 3 strikes you're out. Rather than stressing out the police on these minor offenses, harassment, trespassing, property damage etc. let fines be applied and increase on each incident then big fine / jail on the 3rd. We are still thinking about this.

 

[HB33]

State - Ohio. This is a follow up concerning the boundaries of video taping process. Last spring we were told by a local police officer that the best way to log these acts was to video tape. Our lawyer agreed. We talked to the city law director to make sure we were doing it right. We were told as long as you do not video into a property, ie, household etc. it would be fine. The cameras are set as any security camera would be. They just capture the front of our property and activity in the street. Households and activity across the street are barely discernable. I've read on other posts this is a concern and rightfully so.

 

[CitizenA]

Defamation, slander, harassment by neighbors

HB33, it's most unfortunate, the situation your family has experienced. I, too, am having a most similar situation. I'm trying to figure out if we as human beings, when living in close proximity of one another, are like rats in a cage, and turn on one another, or what. Unbelieveable how individuals jump on the bandwagon and attack people that never bother them. Sensational lies, innuendo and gossip, pure slander, and other neighbors are all too happy to believe. Why is that?

I am very interested in retaining an attorney also, to deal with my situation. Could you please email me or advise me further via the post board? Exactly what type attorney do I need to consult, civil or real estate?

Also, are individuals capable of making liability claims against neighbor's homeowner's insurance company once presenting a claim/evidence, or can only an attorney do same? Perhaps state of residency determines whether one can file a claim alone or must have representation?

All suggestions appreciated.