Neighbor problems

[PortageGirl]

I would definitely call the sheriff (or whoever) just to 'chat' not necessarily make a report letting them know that the neighbor was rather frightening, threatening though not violent etc, you are worried because he was so intimidating. Find out what they have to say, they may encourage you to make a formal report or not want to be bothered. Be totally reasonable either way MZ, I have had a nasty neighbor problem and while I didn't expect the police to take 'sides', that's not their job!!!! Because I was calm and reasonable AND polite (without being smarmy) they at least knew they could count on me to be reasonable ahead of time, because things DID escalate. Your inquiry lays a groundwork for any future problems where police or the Sheriff may be needed.

In this case, if he does start making complaining calls to various places, your getting a relationship going with whoever you can is a good thing. If he's so obnoxious, they may already be sick of his calls, complaints and obnoxiousness. They still have to take his calls seriously, or as much as they can, but if he's a real pain, they may welcome someone who can counter his bs. It isn't brown-nosing, it's being a concerned citizen!

 

[honeydoll]

What you have here is an example of a classic bully. We have a neighbor like this. She is an absolute harrasing bully. Being nice only makes them worse. They want to feel power and control over you and will only grow a bigger ego/bully if you do keep being so nice. I agree, put up no trespassing signs and leave him be. If he continues to harrass you, call his bluff. Tell him he's just being a bully, trying to control you, and file harrassment charges on him. He will feed himself off of your niceness and any sacrifice you make (ie. getting rid of rooster) as this feeds his desire to control. I am not saying be mean, I am saying to not be passive, compliant and nice, as this is the type of people bullies target. Be curt, short, to the point, and use law enforcement if need be. We had the police involved with our neighbor and there has never been another issue. He (meaning your neighbor) wants to use fear to control you, and yes I believe all bullies have potential to cross the line and hurt someone or something. That is their nature, to control by fear, humiliation or force. So be wise, vigilent and do what you can to keep him off your property without confronting him and stirring up more anger in him. He may be a loose canon. My neighbor escalated to slowing her car down and driving very slow to spy on my children. I have two special needs children, she scared them to death and never felt bad, actually when we said something she smiled, she actually enjoyed scaring my kids. When I said the police will be notified about a wierd woman, spying on my kids and I'm not sure what to think as there was recently a kidnapping an hour from here, she became very nervous. And that is exactly what I told the police, and she has left us alone since. Just my two cents. Good luck, and sorry you are going thru this. What a CREEP!!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
I would guess they date from WAY back before that racial restriction was ruled illegal. A restriction on people of colour living or owning a home was very common at one time. Most legal documents have a statement of severability, meaning that if one section or clause is ruled invalid, the remaining protions of the document are unaffected.

First, get a copy of the CC&Rs or deed restrictions and read them thoroughly. Is the neighbor correct that the restrictions say that chickens are disallowed? Who can/will enforce the restrictions? Many (not all) deed restrictions phase themselves out, and this document is obviously old enough that this could be the case. Look to see if it has a severability statement. It is not up to an individual to decide whether or not a document is valid; that is up to a court to determine. Unless there is an active HOA, chances are that he would have to sue to enforce the restriction, and in many places, in this scenario, the loser must pay all costs: attory fees for both parties as well as court costs. Make sure you are on solid legal ground before deciding what to do. If the restriction against chickens validly exists, it almost certainly overrides county ordinances, but language of both the restriction and the county ordinance are key to determining that.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
The 'people of color' clause is not enforced and in the 20 years I've lived here, I believe they were even 'stuck down' by a county board as not enforcable, illegal, etc. So that would never be enforced.
I was just saying the document is not something I respect and I crossed out parts of it before I signed it when I moved in many many years ago.

You crossing them out does not necessarily mean that you are not bound by them since you did sign the paper.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
By hiding behind the policemans skirts?? Gimme a break! What happened to people taking care of THEMSELVES? Have we really become a nation of WHIMPS? I didn't say fight or shoot or hurt. Unless you have to defend yourself. Which is still legal to do. For now anyway.

Law enforcement's job is to ENFORCE THE PEACE. Vigilantes ignore that and try to enforce their opinion of what is legal themselves.

 

[Miltonchix]

Quote:
By hiding behind the policemans skirts?? Gimme a break! What happened to people taking care of THEMSELVES? Have we really become a nation of WHIMPS? I didn't say fight or shoot or hurt. Unless you have to defend yourself. Which is still legal to do. For now anyway.

Law enforcement's job is to ENFORCE THE PEACE. Vigilantes ignore that and try to enforce their opinion of what is legal themselves.

HUH??!!
Enforce the peace???!! They try real hard to enforce THE LAW, nowhere in their job description does is tell them they have to enforce the peace..........they already have enough to do without refereeing neighbor disputes. Enforcing the peace sounds kinda...........well, dictatorial. Iran tries real hard to enforce the peace, along with every other despot. Enforcing the peace is ridiculous and impossible. Unless you're willing to bust a few heads in the process.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Quote:
My sentiments exactly!
WHY would I want to call the sheriff out, waste their time, when all you have to do is tell the idiot "GET OVER IT"!!! AND if said idiot wants to escalate I'd invite him over 'cause I'm kinda hard of hearing and then I'd have the LAST word. THREATS?? Threats only work on weak minded easily intimidated people. Don't be one. Its that simple. A bully is only a bully if he has someone to bully.

I had a bully neighbor once, or so he thought. He left my yard at the end of a pistol, & I hardly ever see him, & never hear him anymore. He threatened my DW, & found out THAT was a mistake! darn Crackheads. I have only 1 neighbor, & that's 1 too many. Stand your ground & don't be intimidated by a bully. Get a game camera pointed at your coop..... just in case.

 

[sesa]

If noise bothers him I would start weedeating in the front yard at 6 am every day

 

[midget_farms]

Consider getting a camera - people like that tend to believe they can get away with anything & your are right to be concerned about your animals.

Video evidence can't be argued against.

 

[downstownlady]

You ought to plant a big hedge that you are able to trim in the shape of a chicken and face the egg laying side towards his property. Or you might be able to get a big old concrete statue of a chicken...either way, your neighbor will get the point and you can get a good laugh. I bought a piece of property that is unrestricted. I double dog dare someone to tell me what I can and can not have on my property. I love my chicky babies!!!