Got a stalker/neighborhood terrorist and no help from the cops - what to do?

[missionguitars1]

Well, the title says it all...

The day before Halloween we had some dude up the hill from us come down into our backyard, grab rocks out of our pond and started throwing them at our nextdoor neighbor, yelling every 4-lettered word in the book and screaming about "waking him up all the time" (mind you, we're a good quarter mile away from him).

I figure he's a loon, the cops come out and take a report, and somehow know who the dude is - mind you, we only had a glimpse of him as it was 6:30am and we were hardly awake at the time. I expect them to arrest the dude for trepass and vandilism, but they take him to county mental health, and say the dude had been "off his meds" and went nuts. Fair enough, this part of San Diego is full of nutbags, we'll never see him again...so I thought...

My wife and my neighbor immediately want to put up a fence (never had one before - we're so far apart I've never even seen my neighbors up the hill before). I'm game, figuring better safe than sorry, so my neighbor and I start planning it, just to play it safe. All the while, all calls to the police station inquiring about said attacker are rebuffed - lots of "I can't tell you his name, where he lives, what his record is" due to privacy laws.

Flash forward to last weekend, my neighbor and I are on the hill clearing brush for the fence, and his wife screams his name...so we come flying down the hill. Apparently, said attacker had ridden down on his bike, scoped out my neighbor's house, walked up screaming his nonsense about waking him up, grabbed a potted plant and smashed it against my neighbor's carriage lamp on his patio. Fortunately, my neighbor's wife stayed inside, but MY wife had just pulled up with my 3 kids and a couple of their friends and witnessed the whole thing. We gave chase, but he got a good jump on us and got away.

We called the cops, and they came out and took the report. By this time, we had gotten his name and address a week or so before from a neighbor we know up on his street. The officers took our report and called it in...and we overheard they were told to wait for back up, as he's a possibly violent person. Again, we got a call from the officers - "he's off his meds, going to county mental health, blah blah blah".

Yesterday, we found out from the neighbor one down from MY neighbor this guy visited them before Halloween too - he had the balls to ring their doorbell (with a baseball bat in hand) and verbally assault them too about - you got it - "waking him up all night". They had not filed a police report, for whatever reason.

Well, my wife and my neighbor were awarded a restraining order by the judge on Friday, but now we're scared sh*tless about what happens when he's served on Monday. My wife and my neighbor's wife are already afraid of going outside (they keep the doors locked and stay inside whenever my and buddy next door aren't home), and needless to say, he's going to flip and we have no idea what's next - knife, gun, what???

The odd thing is, he lives with his parents (he's 40), and has all the hallmarks of a severe tweaker, not a psych-case. Thank God we were able to get his particulars from one of his neighbors, otherwise, we'd be completely flying blind not knowing who's chosen us as his stalking/harassment victims.

Sorry for the novel, but the upshot is, has anyone out there had this problem, or been party to it via a friend, being an officer, etc? What can I do to protect myself (armed with a .40, and my neighbor has a .357, but they're stored WAY deep in the garage due to having kids - no chance of keeping it in the nightstand). Should I hire a lawyer for advice, as law enforcement has no desire to help us (from all I can tell, he wasn't arrested either time - he was laid off on the PERT dept that handles the 5150 crowd). The fence is still going up - I just need to get some info about an easement that runs across my backyard that the city owns and just where I can put it.

Thanks guys for anything you can offer, I have a bad feeling this gets worse before it gets better... - Anthony

[JacksonVHT]

I have a CCW here in Florida but I know that it's quite hard to get one in CA, so that rules that out I guess.

Aren't you allowed to get a CCW if a Sheriff approves it? I would bring this up to him, and confirm that the police isn't do anything about it and you have no other choice.

[horns666]

I experienced the same kind of bullshit. But I'm in a better situation because I'm a retired cop. So I stalked the stalker, and when he came out of his house, I ran after him like a raging bull. We zig zaged thru rear yards, but a scared man runs faster than a mad man..so I threw my 4D cell maglite at him, striking him in the back of the head. He almost went down but knew if he did, I'd have him. So the next day I went to his apartment..introduced myself to EVERY one of his neighbors, including his family and explained what happened and told them exactly what I did and will do if he f*cks with my property again. He still lives there and my life has been quiet since. In fact, I hope he doesn't move because we're established. If another asshole moves in that cheap rent roach box..I may have to establish myself all over with another bustout.

Hahhaaa..I stalk the stakers, run after them and hit them in the head with a maglite, but I don't recommend doing this.

Fortunately, I didn't catch him. He wrote grafitti all over my garage. The police (my old partners) made a "crimal damage/named suspect" report, and they stalked him too. If I caught him I would have beat his ass. Then I would have to go to court, and he would be there in a wheelchair, crutches, all messed up. Then they'll ask what he did. Then I'd say..he wrote all over my garage with magic marker? That would not look good for me...unless I lied and said he became aggressive when I approached him, but I let my boys handle it.

*BUT, heres what YOU can do!!!! Call your local police district. Talk to the OIC (Officer in Charge) explain that there is an ongoing problem with this mental male and a report has been filed in connection with criminal mishief or damage. Then request for a "special attention". That goes into the roll call folder for the zone car in your zone. For one month they will drive by his home and light up his house and location, and your home..this will hopefully deter any further actions from this male. It may lead to an arrest if he's out acting like a fool, or just another psyche evaluation. Do this until this is resolved. Another thing is contact the landlord, and explain that you're having a problem with this tenant, and that the police is involved. This gives the lanlord the right to evict a tenant if they become a nuisance to neighbors. Also talk your neighbors and tell them to do the same. They too can contact the police for a "special attention" and the landlord as well. My rule is if a landlord takes in an a pain in MY ass, I make a point to make it a pain in HIS ass too..let him share the burden. Believe me ..it works!! I had five people evicted in the rental next to me, once I pulled a gun on one in connection with a large gang fight. They left the next day...because I really put the fear of god in them...I'm good like that!

Then also contact your counsilman and explain EXACTLY what's hapenning. They will take your complaint and vist his home. I know this because I done this twice in connection with domestic fights. They came out and taped a warning letter on their door, stating they would be fined, evicted, or jailed if it ensued.

So there is ALOT you can do..the squeaky wheel gets the greese, and you have the right to live in peace. If you want print this page put and show the cops..they'll know what I'm talking about and or give you further advice.

Maybe a probate warrant can be issued for this male to get a psyche elavaluation but that's only for 72 hours. They already know him. If he's violent, or a threat to others or himself they may commit him. Since he's been there already. But they keep letting him go..that really keeps the cops hands tied. They are chasing their tails with this goof.

Also set up a video camera if you can to catch his actions on tape. I did that too!

Do NOT confront him with a weapon outside. You do not have the right to point a weapon or shoot anyone in connection with destruction of property. Contact the police for that. If this guy attempts to come into your home, that's a different story..then you have the right to protect you and your family from possible serious harm or death. The ONLY time you can use deadly force is if you feel that your life is in danger inside or outside your home. But NOT to protect property. You don't want to do that. Keep calling the police, they already know who he is. We don't mind coming out for those calls..we like to live in peace too. The police have the same kind of problems and worries you do..they are people too and understand. These mentals people live in our neighborhoods too. We have wives and children..we fully understand your concern. I know this is a very stressfull situation at this time but it will be resolved. Just keep taking care of biz and take proative measures. Even if you need to keep you wife and kids inside the house for now.

This complaint conveys your concerns very well. Nothing wrong in printing out this page and show them how much of a problem this is for you. Hell, why not?

Good luck,


Bill Z

[442w30]

There are small nightstand safes that use a combination like this.
http://www.gunvault.com/

Gunvault gets good reviews. As to the mentally unstable neighbors, I hear you. We went through 4 years of a posessive 300lb lesbian across the street that sat on the edge of her driveway staring at the front of my house, 5 days a week.
We opened the curtains one morning around 7am, and she was letting her 3 pugs crap in the flowerbed 1ft from the front of our house while she was peering into the window.

Scared the crap out of my wife, so my wife opened the door and asked if she could help the lady. The lady said "no", and my wife said she would appreciate her not standing in the flowers.

The lady went OFF saying - you ignorant Bitch, why don't you mind your own business, this is public property. I can stand where I want to, this is a free country. Why don't you go back inside and take your benzos or prozak or whatever like a good little housewife and stay inside. Leave me alone while I am in public!.

Freaked my wife out bad, and that lady gave us evil glares every day, threw cigarette butts in our yard as she left her house every morning , and stood at the edge of her driveway just leering and smiking or talking on the phone.

Thankfully, we filed a report, and her "partner" filed one a few years later. When the partner left, she could no longer pay the bills and it foreclosed 18 months ago. The new folks are a nice older couple.

Either wait it out, or move - but please continue to involve the authorities.

[SEEGERMANY]

Call Bill!

[horns666]

Call Bill!

Sure..you can do that!!

Problem..poof...solved!

[missionguitars1]

Hey guys (especially Bill!) - thanks for the insights!

We're still wigged-out over the whole thing, mostly because I'm at work from 8 to 5 everyday, and can't stand guard continually...

I'm going to go ahead and call the local OIC & request special attention, as well as get in contact with my city council lady - she is usually receptive to constituent contact. Considering alerting his neighbors on his street to his behavior - apparently, he leaves everyone up there alone. Already told our neighborhood watch leader, and she's emailed everyone in our neighborhood about the problem, so at least there are eyes and ears working for us in our neighborhood.

The fence is going up regardless, once I get the county to sign off on it...

He has no landlord - he lives with his parents, believe it or not. That leads me to believe he's just a paranoid tweeker rather than an honest-to-god psych case - he hasn't killed them yet or made their lives bad enough that he's been kicked out of the house.

The psych evals have been useless - he's on the streets after 72 hours. The restraining order states he gets to go to Big Boy Jail for 30 days and cool his heels there if he violates it...provided I don't violate him first before the police show up...

Keeping the guns locked down, but I am going to pick up a couple pepper sprays for my wife just so she has some sense of security when I'm not there. We're talked about a dog, but I don't think we're "there" yet...

Looking at a video system from Costco as well, but that's "in the works"...there's a fine line between genuinely scared, and just being another paranoid old ninny screaming "get off my lawn" at the kids running by!

I'll post later with any updates...hoping there are none!

[Newc]

If your lawn and/or the property your house sits on is considered - by law - to be public property, then the homeowner should only have to pay "property taxes" on the actual dwelling.

Since that is not the case, and property taxes are assessed on the entire property including the lawn, it is not public property. It is publicly accessible, just like WalMart's parking lot, but it is still private property, and you can be removed from it by the Cops.

Happens up here fairly often - Cops are called to escort some goober off the store's property, and they put him across the street since WalMart's parking lot takes up the entire block.


As for the video system, I don't think you'll need the full-on surveillance system. Grab a few cameras off Ebay and some small desktop tripods. That's usually plenty. Heck, Rodney King only had one video camera, and look what it did for him.

I'd also confront the guy's parents. If they can't keep him on his meds, then they need to check him into a facility that will.

[lerxstcat]

Pepper spray's not bad, but if the guy's gakked on meth or PCP or who knows what, pepper spray may not do the trick. You might look at a stun baton, they pack a wallop and you can actually use it as a plain club. Some pack up to a million volts; that ought to lay him out.

I bet he's gonna flip out when he gets served, you'd better be on extra alert and especially tell your wife the same.

I know you''re worried about guns around your kids, but if this guy got you first with a baseball bat, then went for your wife and then your kids, you'll wish you had had your gun handy. Just be very careful, and watchful, man. Keep us apprised.

[Cleveland Metal]

Violently threatening to use a baseball bat on someone offensively at less than 21 feet is pretty much easily articulable as lethal force.

Ohio, if that guy threatens you with a bat like that and you're on your property or in your car, Castle Doctrine basically states you have no duty to retreat and can remove said dirtbag from the gene pool.

Shame you're in Cali, they'd probably charge you with something if you didn't offer to blow and make a sandwich for a burglar that broke into your house...

Watch yourself man... Us normal types can't understand or fathom what is going on in the head of these people. They will absolutely amaze and shock you at what they are capable of.

We just don't think the way they do, and we have a hard time realizing what can really happen and what they're capable of. That is what gets a lot of people hurt by these crazy fukkers...

Don't get too complacent for a while. Be careful, and watch your family.

[Joelski]

It's kinda cruel fucking with the mentals, but when a mean one fucks with you, the only thing they understand are the guys in white suits with butterfly nets. Schizos have a dog mentality and often don't remember what they were doing 5 minutes ago. The best way to fuck over these people is to get them the care they need and aren't capable of seeking. Turn this genius into adult protective services for his record of mental infirmity and allege that he's as bad with his parents. That may not be the case, but it will provoke an interview with all three indiviuals and whether they are just as nuts, or enablers, they sure as hell aren't seeing that junior gets his meds. Another reason for doing this is when they conduct a home visit, Einstein will find a way to go off the deep end and show his colors despite the efforts of the parents to cover for him. This will in turn lead to more investigation and hopefully placement! The sad thing about progress and government mismanagement is that a great number of these individuals have been deinstitutionalized and either end-up in jail as a result of acting on their paranoia, or dead. These over the edge whackos have to be locked up before they turn into Dahmers and Gacey's. Do all of the above, starting with contacting the turn boss at the PD, and on through contacting caseworkers at the local mental health and agency on aging. DO IT!!! Silence can be deadly.

[hippietim]

Is there a place nearby where Bill can score an XBox 360?

[missionguitars1]

Is there a place nearby where Bill can score an XBox 360?

No, but I hear Escolades are 2 for one at the local car lot!

I did go pick up pepper spray for my and my neighbor's wife, pretty cool there is UV ink in there so the police can ID the perps if they get away. Odd moment tonight - the local gun store was PACKED (mind you, it's a Monday). I ask the dude if it's busier than usual, and he laughs, "this is SLOW!". Seriously, there used to be 2 guys in there for 3 customers, there were about 12 guys helping 25 tonight. He said that since the election, business has EXPLODED. Enter political comment <here>:ROTF:

Police said he was getting served tonight or tomorrow morning, we'll see what comes next. If he comes down again, I think that once he's carted off to the pokie, I might explore going after his parents and drive the point home as they're as responsible for this situation as he is.

I might very well check out a gunvault - if I can get the thing buried in my closet and behind some coats, that might work, thanks for the tip!

[Cleveland Metal]

Whats the problem with the gun? You're worried about them knowing of it? Or worried that they'll attempt to play with/operate it?

They really need to know about guns, their danger, and how to be safe around them. You aren't the only person with a gun around, and many people (relatives etc) may not be so used to lil ones around and may one day not be so careful about the kids being able to get to their weapon as you.

This eductaion about weapons may save their life one day. Just allowing them to hold them and see what the hoopla is about will go miles towards lessoning their curiousity.

There are simple trigger locks that will render it inoperable.

There are small vaults not much larger than the handgun itself for like 80 bucks. These can be bolted down in the home or vehicle.

This is sorta nifty for one handgun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0P8PlmyKbU

[missionguitars1]

Whats the problem with the gun? You're worried about them knowing of it? Or worried that they'll attempt to play with/operate it?

Oh, no problems here, but my wife needs a little "coercing", if you will...

We agree on 99.9% of stuff out there, but she's not crazy about the idea of a gun in the actual house. I understand her position, but I'm making progress as I educate her about gunlocks, safes, and proper weapons handling...she's warming to it...sloooooowly....

As for my kids, I'm all about showing/explaining to them how it works, and a buddy and I are looking to get out to the desert soon to shoot some trap/skeet with the kids soon (he's got an INSANE number of rifles), so I think that would be a good introduction for them (the boys are 10 and 8).

Let's say it's a work in progress...

On another note, the assessor and a friend who's a surveyor said I'm not in any violation of easements if I put up a fence. Guess I'm digging holes this weekend!