The bitter old woman next door hired a very strange man to clean her pool. He seems to think that her house belongs to him. He'll look over our wall and make comments if we are having an al fresco dinner or just watches us. If I'm in the front yard, he takes it even further. Lately he's started to call me a bitch and says f*ck you to me. I haven't been on good terms with the old woman next door for several years because she's absolutely lost it a long time ago. I ignore her completely and have never been unpleasant to her. Even her grown kids avoid visiting, and have apologized for her behaviour to me. But they are afraid of her (probably for inheritance purposes) and don't do anything. I think she's been telling her pool guy some pretty odd and untrue things about me. Most people would just think she's crazy, but this guy is equally unstable. He's been escalating the weird behaviour and I'm becoming quite afraid of him.
What would you do?
Thanks.

Comments

Anonymous

by Anonymous on Mar 17, 2008 at 5:21 AM

As long as the guy is employed be here and on her property, there's not much you can do. As soon as he comes onto your property or threatens you, then you can call the police and file charges.

Until then, just ignore him. Don't argue with the guy. He may just give it up if you stop acknowledging him, or he may escalate it by threatening you or something. If possible, it may be useful to put a camera outside your house pointing at the area where he usually talks to you. That way, when he does eventually threaten you, you'll have it recorded. He may also be a little freaked by the presence of the camera.

(0)  (0)
Anonymous

by Anonymous on Mar 17, 2008 at 3:56 PM

Get a medium to large dog.

Put up a larger fence or plant trees.

Record what he says.

Check out the laws in your area. The person before has no way of knowing the law where you live. Who knows, maybe you can do something.

Take defense course.

Keep your doors, windows locked.

Get an alarm.

Carry your cell phone with at all times so that you can call for help quickly.

Ask your other neighbors to keep and eye out.

(0)  (0)
Anonymous

by Anonymous on Mar 17, 2008 at 8:38 PM

Is this guy at your neighbor's house all the time? Pool cleaners usually show up once every couple of weeks for less than an hour at a time.
Does he work for a company? You can get the name of the company from his truck and report him.
You can videotape him. Don't say anything to him, just stay on your property and silently tape him. That should freak him out.

(0)  (0)
Anonymous

by Anonymous on Mar 17, 2008 at 10:32 PM

Thank you for the good replies. I will use them!
To answer one of the questions: The guy shows up at least once every week but often more like two or three times. He hangs around the neighbor's house for nearly two hours and usually parks his truck either right in front of my house or directly across the street from my house where he can partially see into my front window. A couple of days ago he sat in his truck for over ten minutes staring continually over at my window (I walked into the room, saw him, and hid behind a tall plant to see what he'd do).
A few months ago I called his boss and told him about his employee's behavior. It apparently enraged the pool guy because right after that his behavior got worse.
I guess it's time to call the boss again *sigh*... this time I'll tell him I have photos that a judge and jury will find very interesting =)
Thanks again everyone!

(0)  (0)
Anonymous

by Anonymous on Mar 18, 2008 at 4:55 AM

I like the idea of videotaping him and taking photos of him without saying anything. Between that and calling his boss again, he might get the message.

(0)  (0)
Anonymous

by Anonymous on Mar 18, 2008 at 4:58 AM

What might also be fun is to search some of the child molestation sites and find a picture of some legitimately wanted molester that looks like the guy. Put up posters in your area alerting people that this other guy is wanted.

Your pool guy will likely be confused with this other guy and harassed.

(0)  (0)
Anonymous

by Anonymous on Mar 20, 2008 at 1:07 AM

I LOVE all your ideas!
Thanks so much!!! =)

(0)  (0)
Anonymous

by Anonymous on Mar 27, 2008 at 9:13 PM

I would not put up with this shit for one second! Call the guy's boss and tell him the next time this happens, you are calling the police, then do it! Also tell him that if this weirdo's strange behavior doesn't STOP, you will sue him AND weirdo for harrasment.

(0)  (0)
Anonymous

by Anonymous on Mar 31, 2008 at 1:22 AM

Good idea. I have the boss' phone number and I also contacted an attorney. Next time I see the guy staring at me, I'm going to phone the boss and tell him I'm initiating a lawsuit based on harassment and he's also going to be a party to it. Since the guy is an employee and the boss is sending him out to my neighborhood, he's responsible for what the employee does.
Now I'm waiting for him to make his move... keep checking in for an update.
Thanks for all your support everyone!

(0)  (0)
Anonymous

by Anonymous on Apr 27, 2008 at 4:29 PM

You can file a complaint with your local police department, assuming that you live in the US. I am an officer in NY and we have some of the more strict laws that you will find. I know for a fact that throughout our country, this type of behavior is grounds for police involvement. Harassment and menacing are nothing to be ignored.

(0)  (0)
Anonymous

by Anonymous on Oct 20, 2008 at 6:19 AM

911 is your friend, just remember that. The next time he swears at you or harasses you just remember all those behaviors are illegal and you CAN and SHOULD call the cops on him.

(0)  (0)

Comment this

Can't read the image? Click here to refresh