NEIGHBOR FROM HELL

Everybody's Uncle,

I am wondering what you think would be the best action I should take on the following situation. It involves a neighbor of mine, which I have 3 different annoyances about (Tracker trailer cab parked in driveway each night, Barking dog at 7 AM each morning and several hours when I return from work at 4PM and during the summer playing an electric guitar extremely loud). 
>From discussions with my neighbors I am not the only one that is annoyed by these things and have been informed this neighbor has been the cause of at least one neighbor moving. I have also been informed that this neighbor also has been vindictive and very harsh vocally to those in the past that have tried to have the police involved to resolve these issues (such as call DYFS on a neighbor and reporting a neighbor for not having their dogs licensed).
No formal complaints were ever made with the police from what I know.  I saw this type of behavior in my first introduction to this neighbor when I moved into my house a few years ago when he received a ticket for his truck and then proceeded to go in the street cursing and then accusing me of calling the police when I had not. 
Due to this neighbors actions and behavior it seems from my attempts to get the neighbors to join together on resolving this issue the other neighbors are intimidated or feel it is not worth all the stress that trying to get these things under control causes. Unfortunately now although all the other neighbors are very nice and respectful there seems to be a stress that has formed in the neighborhood and when we do talk to each other the conversation always seems to comeback to this annoying neighbor.  From calls to the police I have been able to get him for limited periods of time keep the music down to a reasonable level and park his truck every night in the driveway instead of the street at night.  Although the truck starting in the morning does awaken us we have been able to overlook it being parked in the driveway (even though legally it is not allowed there from 8PM to 8AM) until the other 2 issues started to arise. 
We also bought a sound machine to mask the sound of the truck in the morning when we are sleeping.  I have tried informing him of the objection to these things but he and his wife's response seems to be that we are complainers and they are allowed to do as they please and we are in the wrong. They have even promoted their children to at times join in their childish responses to police visits.  We have also had a few verbal confrontations about these issues such as in the beginning about the way he spoke to my wife 1 day when she asked him to move his truck with a trailer attached from blocking part of our driveway. 

We are now are looking into moving with this being one of the main reasons but do hate to think we are being pushed out of a situation which is financially very good for us.  I sometimes wonder if maybe we are too sensitive since the other neighbors seem to tolerate it and they live even closer to this neighbor than we do.  Another concern of mine also is, if we do go to sell our house the possible affect this neighbor could have on the selling process. Any suggestion for what may be the best way to approach this situation is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Chris




Chris,

I will spare you the "nice guy" remedies based on the information provided.

Your choices are three: move, tolerate or fight.

Moving is always a remedy. Tolerance is exhausted. The fight option is in the spotlight.

If you decide to fight you have to fight to win. Anything less will be seen as victory from the other side and he will be inclined to make your life a darker nightmare.

Fighting can be divided into two elements: leadership and troops. With no leader apparent, you are in charge.

While no one else has taken the reigns, all might be capable of signing a petition. Parking a commercial vehicle is illegal in most communities. As per your inquiry, he is in constant violation "garaging" a tractor in his driveway. He can be ticketed for every offence. Successive tickets bring high fines, court appearances and towing of a vehicle in violation.

You could draw up a petition or, to add clout, have an attorney draw up a document and represent the petitioners. Individuals often lack a full spine but signing onto a document as one of many vertebrae is usually no problem. A petition signed by many neighbors serves notice that no one person is the "enemy." Hence, the offender has to fight an army not just a soldier.

An attorney can guide you as to what items violate local peaceful enjoyment laws. A few solid provable violations are better than a blur of complaints. The commercial vehicle violations seem solid. False reports of child neglect or abuse can bring serious consequences.

A community action backed with supportive pictures (truck, dog), related recordings (noise, street-rants), documents, and a chronology of violations, prepared by an attorney and signed by the masses will clearly establish a coalition and a line in the sand. You might go so far as to make an offer to buy the house. Throw in a call to local politicians, newspapers, radio, and TV - draw lots of attention.

He now knows you mean business. The ball is either in his court or Municipal Court.

Let the games begin,
Uncle Jim

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