Neighbor

[Abdullah572]

Hi, my name is Abdullah and I'm an intentional student in the US (state of Iowa). Today December 5, 2015 at 8 pm while I was eating my dinner and studying for my exams in my rented house of 3 units I heard my neighbor who is an adult autistic male screaming at the other neighbor who is a female; I went out to investigate the matter because it's not a new thing to happen between the two neighbors (they have a long history of civil cases in courts). I had my phone with me just in case and I found the neighbor screaming so loud and I confronted him to keep it down because I can't study at all with him fighting with the other neighbor. He then starts screaming at me and then I was so afraid of him and I start recording me and him with my phone for my protection. He then continues threatening me and told me I'm not an American and saying hate things and I can't record him because of his right of privacy and said he will call the police. I said ok because I feared he might frame me for something. When he even called the police he starting saying he is from Saudi Arabia and not American and not sure what that has to do with police as If I'm guilty of being not American. At that time the other neighbor called the police which is fine but surprisingly the first thing she said is that I'm form SA. However, when he went uncontrolled I went straight to my house and locked the door. I having been living in that house for years and I don't even know their names. But enough is enough because they fight all the time day or night and I can't even sleep or study. However, police arrived within 20 minutes or so and took both of their statements but not mine. Does that mean he is pressing charges against me because of recording for my protection and what chances that I can fight it in court?

 

[army judge]

Who knows what any of this idiocy means?

I suppose you'll have to wait and see.

The next time you hear a commotion, you might want to IGNORE it, or call "911".
As you've learned recently, there are idiots, bullies, and liars everywhere.
You'd be best served to stay out of their shouting matches.

 

[adjusterjack]

Hi, my name is Abdullah and I'm an intentional student in the US (state of Iowa).

It would be unfortunate if you were there by accident.

I start recording me and him with my phone for my protection. He then continues threatening me and told me I'm not an American and saying hate things and I can't record him because of his right of privacy

Iowa statute 808B.2 - 2c expressly permits the recording of a conversation by either party without the consent or knowledge of the other under the circumstances you describe:

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2015/808B.2.pdf

police arrived within 20 minutes or so and took both of their statements but not mine. Does that mean he is pressing charges against me because of recording for my protection and what chances that I can fight it in court?

I doubt that anything will come of this as there was nothing illegal about the recording. Make sure you keep the recording. If another altercation like that occurs, record it too.

Although I agree with Army Judge that the best thing you can do is not go out there next time there is an altercation.

 

[Abdullah572]

Who knows what any of this idiocy means?

I suppose you'll have to wait and see.

The next time you hear a commotion, you might want to IGNORE it, or call "911".
As you've learned recently, there are idiots, bullies, and liars everywhere.
You'd be best served to stay out of their shouting matches.

Thank you for your response and for sure I have learnt my lesson.

 

[Abdullah572]

It would be unfortunate if you were there by accident.





Iowa statute 808B.2 - 2c expressly permits the recording of a conversation by either party without the consent or knowledge of the other under the circumstances you describe:

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2015/808B.2.pdf



I doubt that anything will come of this as there was nothing illegal about the recording. Make sure you keep the recording. If another altercation like that occurs, record it too.

Although I agree with Army Judge that the best thing you can do is not go out there next time there is an altercation.

haha i meant an "international" student and thank you for your response.

 

[adjusterjack]

haha i meant an "international" student and thank you for your response.

I knew that. I like to inject a little humor into these proceedings whenever the opportunity presents itself.

 

[ElleMD]

In the future, I would not get involved directly. Call the police and let them handle the disturbance. If you all have the same landlord, you can bring it up with the landlord or management company.

Expecting someone who is out of control to act with decorum and decency is only going to disappoint. I wouldn't take anything this guy spouted off in anger to heart. The police didn't question you as there was no reason to do so. You didn't do anything wrong. In your state, you can record someone against their will or without their consent but that is does vary from state to state. That said, it is not something most people appreciate and if someone is already acting like a jerk, their mood is not going to improve by recording them, especially if you were not part of the original argument.