Legal folks, anybody--problem with neighbor

**RedFawnRising** · 09-28-2008, 08:37 PM

I'm having a huge problem with a fifteen year old juvenile freak of a kid and my two Dobermans. Need help and advice.

Background: Currently I live in a townhouse community, as a renter.

I'm in the process of moving to my own place with eight acres, but since the house was built in 1875, there've been some, shall we say, adventurous and costly delays.

So, this neighbor kid is around sixteen, about 6 feet tall, mouth on him that would send a sailor crying in shame, and a history of violence and vandalism. He's "in the system" so to speak, with a few juvenile complaints, and is supposedly "receiving mental health treatment." He has a history of conflict with others in the neighborhood, including pulling a knife on another neighbor's son.

Sooo. He hates my dogs. As in, hates them and wants to harm them or me, or preferably both.

Without making it a novel, he has cussed me, threatened me, vandalized my car, brandished a gun at me (turned out to be a pellet gun, but scary at the time) and just generally tried to make my life hell here.

I've responded by calling the landlord, speaking with and lodging complaints with management, documenting incidents, date, time, etc, and involving the *State* police. I also give him no drama back--I literally do not say a word to him or his younger brother, whom he has recruited as fellow teeny bop terrorist.

That last about the STATE police is important, as the kid's uncle is a County Mountie, and the kid and his mom loudly proclaim he "can get by with anything" as Uncle will "fix" it for him.

Tonight, I broke an upstairs window slamming it open to stop him--caught him teasing the Dobermans through my open downstairs window. Kylie sounded like she'd kill him if she decided to go thru the screen...

I am at my wit's end. We're almost never home--I take the dogs with me when we go. I don't engage this psycho kid (his parents are hopeless, trust me on that), and we dart outside when they aren't home or outside, and go straight back in, can't even enjoy my own yard.

Now, we apparently can't even be safe in our own residence.

Police say until he follows thru on one of his threats, they "can't really do anything."

Please, this cannot be legal, can it? What else can I do?

AnneMarie · 09-28-2008, 08:45 PM

Oh my gosh i feel sorry for you.I dont have any advice but maybe someone else can help.I just wanted to let you know i was listening to you and i am sorry you are going through all that crap.

robinb · 09-28-2008, 08:49 PM

That's horrible, I would be beside myself if one of my animals were threatened. In some states one can get a restraining order, but he would have to then break that for it to be enforced. And, I guess you have to weigh how screwed up he really is and how mad that might make him. Is there anyway you can move yourself and dogs in with a friend until your house is ready? Or camp at your new house? If your safety or your dogs safety is in jeopardy then get out and do it now. Use your gut instinct. Also is there anyone that can come and stay with you?

**RedFawnRising** · 09-28-2008, 08:55 PM

Thanks Robin. No restraining order possible--they only issue those for domestic violence victims, in my state. (Seems so screwy, but I checked it out, and that's that.)

There is no electricity nor water at the new place, so camping would be literal. But. It is something I may at this point need to pursue.

If I just knew how long before repairs/inspections would be done, I'd do it. Sigh.

This is a nightmare. I keep expecting if I do rational things, I'll get somewhat rational responses back--but therein lies the problem, kid nor the adults in this household are rational.

Marvelgirldobe · 09-28-2008, 08:59 PM

A threat to commit a crime IS a crime. It's called a threat. So is intimidation, vandalism, malicious destruction of property and harassment. I would call the police every single time there was any incident whatsoever. Every time. Even for minor things. Everything will have to be documented on their end, and they'll tire of having to write reports and eventually they'll try to actually do something. I would also put a camera on the house if possible just to catch the kid in the act. I had a problem with some gang-banging neighbors -- slashed a kid's face with a box cutter, stabbing, lots of bad things -- and a lawyer gave me some advice. But, although legal, the counsel is not something I was prepared to do nor is it something I am comfortable sharing on a public forum. You could also taunt him with your icy wit, as a recipient of said technique, I can say it's awfully demoralizing ;-)

robinb · 09-28-2008, 09:03 PM

If you feel in anyway that your safety or that of your animals is in jeopardy get out ....some inspections not being done at the new place would be the least of my worries.

thea2003 · 09-28-2008, 09:05 PM

I dont think that little bastard has any mental health issues, what he has is an uncle thats a cop and parents who dont give half a shit to discipline the little prick!! Man i dont know what i would do.... Is there anyway of getting them evicted if more than 1 person has had issues with him. Is there another vacant townhouse within the complex that you can move to further away from him? Sorry 16yr olds who threaten animals need a good kick in the head hard enough to give him mental health issues!!! Again sorry for the comments lol

**RedFawnRising** · 09-28-2008, 09:13 PM

Marvelgirl, I'm better in the written word than the spoken, heat of the moment, and I seriously doubt the cretin can read, so it would be wasted wit.

Robin, I agree, and I'm really mulling your words. 21st century conveniences like, say, utilities, do pale in comparison to the safety of my dogs and myself.

Guess I've been walking that line of thinking I could defuse things enough to get out of here safely, on my timeline.

Thea, I need to have you come down here and open up a can of your special whupazz on this insane family.

Marvelgirldobe · 09-28-2008, 09:16 PM

I'll PM you the advice I was given, but didn't have the guts to take.

robinb · 09-28-2008, 09:17 PM

Rent or buy a generator. I live out in the sticks and have used mine several times when winter storms have knocked the power out.