Neighbours From Hell

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Catholic90 said:
Invite them in and tell them all about Jesus.
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I love it!

Seriously, having neighbors like this is definitely a trial. But remember, if they are really in need, then you are called to help. What you do for them, you are doing for Christ.

Maybe they just don’t know how to get food stamps - can you help them with that? Do they know where the soup kitchens are? Are they willing to do odd jobs in exchange for food?

Peace,
John Marie Philomena
 
Your first duty is to your family. We are called to be selfless, but that does not preclude using wisdom to make judgments. Inviting these people into your house as some have suggested would be very unwise.

People who are using these drugs are not trustworthy even if they are ‘recovering’. Inviting them in would give them insight into your personal belongings and your routine. Not to mention who they would pass this information on to. You will likely put your family in jeopardy if you open your family to these neighbors.

Talk to the police and explain the situation. They can give you better advice since they deal with these types routinely, I am sure they will tell you to avoid them.

You can give these people help by handing them a phone number or address for a local charity (which you can donate to) and then promptly close the door.
 
taben said:
  1. Pray for safety and peace for your family
  2. Pray for wisdom on how to handle this
  3. Pray for THEM
The above are my best advice. My sideline advice is to simply tell them that your family is not in a position to help them financially or with food, but for them to consider going to or call social services for help. I would be calm, but firm. I would not let them in nor be chatty with them…kind, but business like. Frankly, these kind of folks can flip. Stay at arms length and do not antagonize nor befriend.
Hope this helps–taben
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And –
4. Get a dog. A BIG dog. That likes to show his teeth.
(Seriously. I used to have a 1/2 St. Bernard, 1/2 Great Dane. Nobody ever bothered me. They didn’t know she was a sweetie.)
The dog food bill will be worth it for some peace and quiet.
 
atg2 said:
All was peaceful,until two ‘recovering’ Heroin-addicts;moved in next-door.They’re always pestering for food.They’ll knock until you answer.Are they ever ‘recovered’? Anyone got a similar problem?
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well if you give them food everytime they ask they will keep coming back. Reminds me of parents of DD’s childhood friend, our neighbors across the street, and there was no “recovery” involved. Family was reported regularly to CPS with no action taken, but recall “Suzy” coming to the door because “my mom asked to borrow your big spaghetti pot”. Then 15 minutes later, “Mom says do you have any tomato paste”.
This time we are waiting when she knocks, “Suzy, can your mom used this box of spaghetti?” The child ate more meals at our house than her own growing up and I would never have denied any request for food because of the children.
 
Have any neighbors who are Jehova Witnesses? Maybe have them at your house for a while and then when your crazed neighbors bother you tell the JWs that they need to hear about their God. Bet they’d run the other way and not bother you any more. Just a thought.

I still prefer the idea of contacting the authorities though.
 
Where’s the deterrent with Jehovah’s Witnesses;or was that a joke? The tenant will accept NO;it’s his homeless pal who tries to bully.He came round STONED one night;and when i was firm and said NO;he got angry & said ‘Look,we’re friends!’.I had to relent,cos’ he might’ve gone crazy;but that was last week.I’ve just heard their knocks,but ignored.They have met me in the street.Whether in or out;they need something from me.One of them told me he has ADHD.He’s got that compulsion to shoplift & recently went to jail for stealing a jar of honey;it was probably his last-chance for all of his previous crimes.
 
it was a joke. in all seriousness, I’d contact the police if I were you.
 
gmarie21 said:
Maybe also a new sign on display by the door “Trespassers will be shot!”
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“…Survivors will be shot again.”

😃

Seriously, if they’re that big a problem, go the route of getting a court order.

DaveBj
 
Having dealt with neighbors from hell too (couple used to beat each up - police called 4 xs in 20 months - stuff flying out the windows at all hours - kid turning the music up so loud it shook the building - possible drug dealing going on) this is what I would do.
  1. Have a priest bless the house…good idea …can’t hurt.
  2. Explain to your neighbors firmly that they are not to ask you for food as you are not a foodbank and there are already charities for that. Also let them know they if they continue to bother you about this you will file charges of harrasment or stalking.
  3. Inform the police of your problem. Find out your legal rights.
  4. Document what your neighbors do in a journal so there is a record if you have to proceed legally.
  5. Post no trespassing signs and get a big dog.
  6. keep a cell phone on you at all times.
  7. Pray for them and God protection for yourself. 👍
 
atg2 said:
They’ll knock until you answer.Are they ever ‘recovered’? Anyone got a similar problem?
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This is trespassing and harassment. Please inform the police. They might attack or steal from you next. :rolleyes:
 
atg2 said:
The tenant will accept NO;it’s his homeless pal who tries to bully.He came round STONED one night;and when i was firm and said NO;he got angry & said ‘Look,we’re friends!’.I had to relent,cos’ he might’ve gone crazy
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This takes it to a whole new level. If you fear for your physical safety you need to talk with the police.

When it was simply a matter of being a nuisance, I would be much more sympathetic to them and work hard at providing them help. And if you feel comfortable with helping to connect them to the local welfare resources (a homeless shelter might be able to assist you in determining those in your area) then I think you will be solidly in Christian territory. However, you also need to be secure your own safety, and its not a sin to seek that.

I’m not sure exactly of your living situation. Are you in the US or another country? This might make a difference in terms of laws.

Are you living in a house or an apartment? Are they in a house or apartment? If you both are in apartments, are they owned by the same landlord? You mentioned before that you were considering moving - a good landlord would be unhappy knowing that a problem tenant is driving off the good ones. Another tactic is to let their landlord know that another man, presumably not on the lease, is living along with the official renter. Landlords sometimes take a dim view of unregistered persons living in their properties, probably for financial liability reasons (although I am not sure exactly).

Of course, taking action against them, will make them your enemies if they find out that you started the process. So this is a risk you need to talk over with anyone you contact.
 
Are they casing your house? If you can get a security camera to mount above y our front door, that would say volumes about the level of security in your home.

I would just smile sweetly and tell them no, as you shut the door and bid them a good day as you do so.

Do this every time and they will stop.

Or–you can try to evangelize them and tell how you are willing to help them. Pray about it.
 
I don’t let them in anymore;it’s apartments,so there’s one main entrance-door.Utilities are individual;but it’s like being in one big house;that is divided into four.A new downstairs tenant;enters & leaves by his back-door & the side-gate to the gardens. He only uses the front for his mail-box & goes out again & round the side.I thought maybe he has a new carpet down;as many folk use their side or back-door.He may be avoiding the folk next to me? I’m gonna try the leaflet idea;that a poster has suggested.But i’ll pop them in their mail-box.There are regular leafletdrops in this area.It may take the strain off me.
 
They’ve a pal who visits me every few weeks;obviously he scouts for them.He has implied some veiled threats if anyone in the community reports their activities.On his last visit,i told him i don’t want them knocking on my door every few days;but every few weeks would be ok,like normal neighbours.He’ll give them the message.
 
There’s a different approach now;with politeness.Greetings & then the usual requests.Seems their addict-pal,has conveyed a message & the fact that i’m lumbered with them.Three other residents in the road,moved soon after they moved in.They may have become uneasy with the regular Police-raids;that had started.The raids stopped,but there has been a catalogue of events,involving their pals;which led to criminal damage last year.Those responsible were arrested & charged; and have since left the area.These events have left an impression of intimidation;within the community.Most of the residents,have bought their homes & settled;so they would be at more risk of reprisals if they complained.The addicts want to be accepted in the community;but with control over the majority.It can continue with the Christian Mission approach;until i find somewhere-else to live.It has become a strain.
 
Catholic90 said:
Invite them in and tell them all about Jesus.
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That was the best advice in the thread; short, simple, and to the point. Everything else was either extreme or just plain rude. And you call yourselves Christians… :rotfl:
 
The_Bucket said:
The nudity probably isn’t necessary and I doubt it would even register with people wasted on smack. But the shotgun is exactly the piece of advice I was going to give. Answer the door cleaning it, then when done, give the rack a good slide. Be sure not to load it or point it at them in the very, very rare case where they would be conscious enough to register the threat because that’s technically illegal.
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Have to agree with the nudity part. Don’t agree with the illegality of having a gun though. I don’t know what state you’re in but here it is just fine to have any gun you want on your property. If you happen to be holding it when you answer the door - its all good. If you fire a few shots over their heads than it gets kind of sticky unless they are forcing their way into your home.

We have a responsibility to defend our lives since they are gifts from God. If someone else is threatening me, my family or someone else who can’t defend themselves the Church clearly says we are obligated to stop the threat in whatever way necessary.
 
Well, this may sound cruel but every time they ask for food, I would give them a couple of plates of canned dog food (less the cans) to take home to enjoy.
 
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