the neighbor form hell

[saralara669]

grass valley, nevada county, california
we do not live within city limits

We are having a lot of problems with our neighbor. He is a drug addict and I suspect insane:nuts . He is growing "legal" marajuana in his back yard, and selling it. We also suspect that he is selling Meth as well. He constantly has coming and going traffic, and loud drunken parties, where they shoot off firearms. This has been ongoing for years, and until about a year ago we ignored it. Since then, things have gone sour. He has made threats to physically harm my family, friends, and pets. He has harrassed us to the point of insanity. :cussing: We have called the cops on him several times, and nothing has been done. We have no home owners association, and don't know where else to turn. He has many of the other neighbors afraid to complain about him, due to his violence. We have tried to file a restraining order, but the judge said "be nieighborly, and work it out amongst yourselves." We recieved a mediation order that he has since violated. But the police never do anyting about him. He has a police scanner and listens to when they will be coming out to pay him a visit, so he can hide all the illegal stuff. His NID (nevada county irrigation district) pipe runs through our property. I don't believe that there is an easment. Is it within my legal rights to remove the pipe? What can be done about the firearms? What can be done about the drugs? What can be done about the harrassment? My family and I are at our wits end. This once peacful neighborhood has turned into a war zone. PLEASE HELP!!

 

[CdwJava]

We are having a lot of problems with our neighbor. He is a drug addict and I suspect insane:nuts . He is growing "legal" marajuana in his back yard, and selling it. We also suspect that he is selling Meth as well.

Here is the Sheriff's Department "tip line": (530) 477-6610, and the direct line to the Narcotics Task Force: (530) 478-7987.

When they shoot off guns and have loud parties, call (530) 265-1471.

For more info go to the Sheriff's website: http://www.mynevadacounty.com/sheriff/?aokeywords=&aoca=145&aocr=177&campaignRef=1

We have called the cops on him several times, and nothing has been done.

Either they did not see a crime worth pursuing when they arrived, or, you called anonymously ... anonymous calls are legally worthless as they grant law enforcement little legal cause to act upon the information contained in the call. Tips to the drug task force might work ... provided the info is good and it is something they could actually observe if they conducted surveillance on the house.

Note that almost everyone with annoying neighbors claims their neighbors are selling or using drugs ... this allegation is about as common as an abuse claim in contested divorce case with child custody involved. By itself, the claim really does not get the cops too excited because it IS so commonly made.

His NID (nevada county irrigation district) pipe runs through our property. I don't believe that there is an easment. Is it within my legal rights to remove the pipe?

Probably nothing. You can always consult an attorney, but I suspect that is something the NID put in, not the neighbor.

What can be done about the firearms?

When they fire them off, call the sheriff.

What can be done about the drugs?

Call the Task Force or leave good, detailed info on the tip line. Unless you see the deal go down, it's not an easy thing to handle.

What can be done about the harrassment?

If they make threats or take action, call the sheriff's department and demand a citizen's arrest. If it is just the annoying parties and visitors, apparently there is not much you CAN do as the court has already expressed little interest in a court order.

There are ways to sue them for the inconvenience, but you had best have a lot of proof.

Do the neighbors own or rent their home? If they have a landlord, I doubt he is going to want to be sued.

Do you have neighbors that are similarly annoyed with these folks? Or, are you the only person in the area that is concerned? If you are the only person being bothered, that might explain the inaction.


- Carl

 

[saralara669]

Reply to your questions and answers

There are other neighbors that have issues with this man, but they are not his main target and are not willing to step forward due to fear of him causing the same problems with them. One of the neighbors has contacted the FBI, due to the lack of action taken by the sheriff's dept. His mother owns the property, and he has a record for drug trafficing in Nevada and possibly in California as well. He is in his 30's, unable to hold a job, and pretty much thinks he is untouchable. I have been trying to keep a journal on the threats, commments, and activities that I have observed, and the traffic coming and going form his property. Should I get a surveilence camera and mic? Is that legal to survey the borders of my property on to his, or is that invasion of privacy?

-The concerned victim

 

[CdwJava]

There are other neighbors that have issues with this man, but they are not his main target and are not willing to step forward due to fear of him causing the same problems with them.

That will be problematic as it tends to make you the sole complaining party and can make it look like it is a personal issue between the two of you.

Encourage your neighbors to at least call the anonymous tip line if they see suspicious activity.

One of the neighbors has contacted the FBI, due to the lack of action taken by the sheriff's dept.

If the sheriff's department cannot ask, how does anyone think the FBI would be able to?

First, probable cause is probable cause - they need it to act. Second, the FBI is not going to deal with a local crime issue. Third, they do not have the local manpower to conduct the surveillance necessary to establish probable cause to obtain a search warrant.

Dealing with problem drug houses take months - not hours or days. Unfortunately, too many equate the lack of an instant arrest with inaction. This just is not the case. The police can no more arrest your neighbor based upon your suspicions then they could arrest you based upon a neighbor's suspicions. Would you like it if a neighbor claimed you were child molester and the sheriff's department came and arrested you for that?

Any claim must be verified. And if the house has caught the attention of the Task Force, then they will set up on it, maybe make some controlled buys, and then they will act upon the information they have.

His mother owns the property, and he has a record for drug trafficing in Nevada and possibly in California as well.

Mom is then vulnerable for a lawsuit for harassment. There are ways to make small claims suits against the landlords of problem properties ... unfortunately, the information I have on that process is likely out of date and was useful in southern California not here. It is possible, but you might have to search the internet for groups that help provide that information. I believe it was once called Project Safe Streets, but I may be mistaken.

I have been trying to keep a journal on the threats, commments, and activities that I have observed, and the traffic coming and going form his property.

An excellent idea!

Should I get a surveilence camera and mic? Is that legal to survey the borders of my property on to his, or is that invasion of privacy?

Camera, yes - mic, no. CA law does not penalize you for using video from your property, but recording AUDIO can get you in trouble.

- Carl