How do I defend against the neighbors?

[Harmon]

Record it

The camera idea is great, make sure that you have your time and date stamp set up, get as many late nights as you can, talk to your neighbors on film (or the digital medium- what ever your camera uses) preferably while a loud party is happening. After a few weeks then contact a lawyer, then have them contact the landlords, inform them that you are taking legal action and the you and your neighbors have had enough.

If the law will not help you (which is my experience) then do your best to contact the family members of the partiers and send them copies of the videos. Also the university dean might find a bunch of partying students that are disrupting the lives of tax payers as “not the kind of image we wish to display,” and that might get them talked to by the facility of the school.

Aside from that- investing in a surveillance camera, might be worth the wear and tare on your nerves. It will also come in handy when your tires get slashed, your house gets a new paint job, sugar in the old gas tank or some good old fashion gas, bottle, flames thrown against the house.

Avoid the confrontation, and if one arises have your camera ready or be able to have your housemates grab it for you to record the conversation. The more you have the better you will be when the cops come and tell you “there is nothing we can do.”

Do not be afraid to share what you gather with others and proclaim your frustration often to those that know you and see what is happening, the more people that know you are wigged the better you will be in the legal system.

 

[Chainsaw Mage]

The camera idea is great, make sure that you have your time and date stamp set up, get as many late nights as you can, talk to your neighbors on film (or the digital medium- what ever your camera uses) preferably while a loud party is happening. After a few weeks then contact a lawyer, then have them contact the landlords, inform them that you are taking legal action and the you and your neighbors have had enough.

If the law will not help you (which is my experience) then do your best to contact the family members of the partiers and send them copies of the videos.

"Hi, I'm the unemployed adult who has recently begun feuding with your kids. I've also been secretly videotaping them and I tracked down where you live. Here's a tape I made of your kids." Yeah, that would go over real well. If I were the parents, I'd say, "Get a life, bozo."

Aside from that- investing in a surveillance camera, might be worth the wear and tare on your nerves. It will also come in handy when your tires get slashed, your house gets a new paint job, sugar in the old gas tank or some good old fashion gas, bottle, flames thrown against the house.

Uh, dude, this is, like, real life, not Metal Gear Solid or something.

 

[Harmon]

Been thinking for just a few minutes.

This will take some planning, and you should make this part of your own, but remember the idea is doing everything so that it looks to be innocent.

Friday night they have a big ol’ party, late night music and screaming and beer cans/bottles/cups on the lawn. You and your neighbors video the night before, and all night if you can, call the police so that you have them rolling through the video, on your time stamp. Their report will indicate a time as well- later get a copy of that report.

Whatever time your cities sound ordinances allows get your neighbors outside, take all the trash that was thrown onto your yard and your neighbors yard and place it into their yard- don’t bag it, don’t trash can it just toss it gently into their yard (do not break any glass or do anything prickish as you are still taping this).

Then as one- mow your lawn. Trim the edges, and fear not playing music just loud enough to be heard over the lawn mowers, because you have that right- your timing is legal, and you are out participating in a community activity. Once you are done, if you have been successful and you will know by the number of crappy neighbors that look outside, then set up a block party. Everyone that is invited is known and everyone that is not is not allowed- do not fear asking them to leave, and by all means have fun. Lean against cars and talk to your friends, feel free to leave that drink on the hood of that students beautiful car, and most of all have fun.

If they attempt to join the party, call the cops- these people are not invited and they have a tendency to be unwanted and unliked by the neighbors.

When you are done, clean up your mess, place trash in the garbage cans that you have about the area- because we know that responsible, respectful people do not make a mess and leave it for others to clean up.

Now that you are done, turn off the Bag Pipe music that you have played sense you all mowed your lawns and place the recordings in a safe place. Do not volunteer that to anyone unless you need it.

Good luck with this, I hope you have good luck with it.

 

[Harmon]

"Hi, I'm the unemployed adult who has recently begun feuding with your kids. I've also been secretly videotaping them and I tracked down where you live. Here's a tape I made of your kids." Yeah, that would go over real well. If I were the parents, I'd say, "Get a life, bozo."

Be a little more respectful then that. Kindness and speaking in a gentle tone helps when approuching someone like this. If your approuch is thought out and kind, most people that are respectful will at least hear you out.

Also- when I am speaking to someone that might have a stake in the legal issues of someone I generally hint at having a lawyer and seeking legal recourse. Its not a hint of a threat, its not a threat, its just the hint of a hint of a possible threat, usually works with people that as I implied are respectful.

Uh, dude, this is, like, real life, not Metal Gear Solid or something.

I have no idea what Metal Gear Solid is, much less an understanding as to how it fits into this discussion. Sorry.

 

[Templetroll]

IME, most places like the one under discussion won't rent to college kids without parents co-signing. If the parents are still claiming Johhny or Peggy Sue as dependents and providing their upkeep, you'd have a good case.

Besides which, this is America. You can sue anybody

Dang straight. Sue the kid, since he is over 18 and get the judgement. The kids are in school to get great jobs. Let paying you be one more thing the Real World (tm) has waiting for them when they graduate. Be ready to settle if the parents' checkbook has enough zeroes in it to satisfy you.

 

[Alzrius]

Be a little more respectful then that. Kindness and speaking in a gentle tone helps when approuching someone like this. If your approuch is thought out and kind, most people that are respectful will at least hear you out.

Thanks Harmon. I appreciate the love, dude.

So far, the neighbors have been pretty obviously upset, but haven't tried anything, so I'm starting to relax. Thanks to everyone who's posted these great ideas though!

 

[Jesus_marley]

In my experience, when dealing with inconsiderate neighbors, the best recourse is to simply talk to them first. explain you concerns. when you get rebuffed then you set up your inexpensive digital webcam in the window facing your car. that way you can record the night time activities of anyone who enters onto your property.

An alternative is to wait until the morning after a party when your neighbors are sure to be hung over and then play the following musical suggestions:
1) "the Battle HYmn of the Republic" performed by Stryper
2) "I wish you were a beer" performed by Biker sluts from Hell
3) "Panama" performed by Van Halen ( this one must be played continously for at least 4 hours straight without interruption for the best result)

 

[Hand of Evil]

security camera best way to go, a picture is worth in the courts.

 

[freebfrost]

Uh, dude, this is, like, real life, not Metal Gear Solid or something.

Personally, I'd rather take the Gabe Logan route in dealing with the neighbors.

Snake was way too non-confrontational for my tastes...

 

[Paladin]

Yeah, but do you know much it costs to keep a Bengal Tiger these days?

Not much...if you feed it the noisy college students...

On a serious note, keep a log of their illegal/annoying activities to go along with calling the police, and taking photos. A well maintained, detailed, log would help you immensely in court I bet (IANAL).

If they do get stupid(er) and escalate the situation, make sure to check your local statutes on how you can legally deal with them. I.E., in Texas, you can use lethal force to stop "criminal mischief" at night. So, if they did slash your tires, and you caught them in the act, you could legally dispose of the problem with your choice of high-caliber solution...hypothetically speaking of course.