What do you do when you're being harrassed?

[BuzzBoyMom]

I'll try to make this a short story -

We hired a contractor to put in some concrete work outside. We had a very specific contract to avoid flooding into our basement. Despite our DAILY urgings to ensure that the drains were put in correctly, they laid the concrete the day AFTER we discovered the measurements weren't in. End result - flooding. We contacted him via phone and certified letters to lay out all of our concerns and issues and explain that despite his assertion that the job is done, that we have flooding and he needs to fix the job...do it according to the specs in the contract BEFORE we will make final payment. He threatened to come back to our place and damage our house.

We called the police. We were told there is no such thing as a restraining order for non-domestic issues. We were told to send a certified letter informing him he is not to tresspass on our property. We did that. He has since served us with court papers to get his final payment. We have hired a lawyer and are counter-suing.

But every so often, the owner drives by our house and just circles us and harrasses us. The police say it is a public road and there is nothing they can do. Last night I heard a car pull up and park on a street beside us (we live on the corner of 2 streets). I looked out the window, saw a car parked - engine running, lights dimmed....suddenly a guy runs from our backyard to the car. Silly me - I run out the front door to try to get a license plate. It was them. Again the police say there is nothing they can do.

I have 2 little boys and DH sometimes goes out of town on business.

I can't tell you how many sleepless nights I've had - worrying and wondering what to do.

Anyone have any advice? We're in waiting mode to see what happens in court - next month. But until then - what can I do to protect myself and my family? Sorry - maybe I'm just tired and emotional this AM.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Talk to your lawyer again about a restraining order. That just doesn't sound right.

 

[hentob]

Sorry - maybe I'm just tired and emotional this AM.

You have every right to be emotional.

What is happening is not good. Please contact a lawyer!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We called the police. We were told there is no such thing as a restraining order for non-domestic issues.

That doesn't sound true. Get your attorney to verify. Now he has trespassed on your property. Follow up on that. Good luck.

Lori

 

[tkd lisa]

While a restraining order is used in domestic type situations, there is a different type of order for unrelated people. Some states call it a peace order, some call it a protective order, etc.

I'd call over to the county courthouse and get their advice. There is someone there who's responsible for issuing immediate orders (while you wait for a court date), and they should be able to help you. When I got one for my soon to be ex- the official was the "Clerk of the Court".

And yes, if I were you, I'd follow up on it. You are being harassed. With a peace order, unless there's an urgent need for him to be on your street (i.e. he lives there) you CAN legally bar him from that area, even though it's public property.

Good luck.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Talk to your lawyer again about a restraining order. That just doesn't sound right.

I agree

 

[Evil Queen]

Also, do you have a camera or video recorder you can snap a pic or record, should they come around again? It least the police will know they were around. And continue to call the police if something looks "funny/not right" regardless if you think it's them or not.

I can't believe they at least didn't write a report for someone being in your yard?

When you say harrass, do you mean by just driving by or do they verbally harrass you?

Also, ask your neighbors to be on the lookout for you too. The more witnesses the better your case may be, and safer you and your family will be.

 

[tmt martins]

Get a video cam and take regular photos's f video ost a sign that the premesses are being videoed .Start to documenvrything times he was seen times he was on proprty.

This will also help with your law-suits.

 

[petrymom]

This man sounds a little psycho!!!! He sounds quite unprofessional....

Good Luck!!! You shouldn't have to be going through this.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Thanks guys. Yes - when the whole thing first went down - where he threatened to come back and do damange - I set up the video camera. He never showed up. I thought we were leaving this to the courts to decide. And then the drive bys started. Last night was the first time I saw someone on the property. Really scared me. It was 10:30 at night. Now that I'm at work and DH is at the office, I have only the video camera to rely on.

I'm sick to my stomach this AM...I want to run home every 5 minutes to check on the place, but I'm also mad that someone can do this to our lives. Cause such havoc and stress....and the police keep telling me there is nothing that can be done.

DH is calling our lawyer today and hopefully something can be done. The police did tell me that next time he shows up to call 911 and they will serve him with the letter that he refused to take via certified mail. They said once the letter is served, they can arrest him....but it is gonna force us to watch the property and make sure that he doesn't come around.

 

[Marseeya]

Wow, I can't believe you're going through this! What a lunatic!

Why wouldn't this fall under stalking laws? Or does stalking have to be romantic in nature?

 

[lbgraves]

Karen, what a royal jerk! They should be able to serve him with the letter without arresting him.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Just another thought...

I would install multiple motion sensor flood lights. Talk to all of your neighbors and let them know what's going on (including description of people/cars/license plates) and why the flood lights were put in.

Make sure you keep all of your doors and windows locked preferably with deadbolts on the doors (even when you're home).

Continue video taping the yard.

Place no trespassing signs on your property (again, let your neighbors know why). I remember hearing somewhere that you have to have a no trespassing sign up for it to be considered trespassing.

If you've ever considered getting a dog, this could be a good time. It doesn't need to be a large one. Our large dog never barks and would probably lick an intruder. I personally think small yappy dogs make better alarms.

Document everything. It may be possible to bring it up during the lawsuit case in court.

 

[kelleigh1]

I agree with everything that has been posted here. Definitely talk to the lawyer and find out what they advise about this harrassment issue. The police should definitely have been able to do something about the person being in your backyard last night if nothing else.

Is it just me or does it seem as though the police are doing less and less these days? No offense to any cops out there. I'm not sure if you're hands are tied by bureaucrats or what, but it seems that the lunatics and criminals have more rights than the victims these days.

 

[grlpwrd]

Besides taking it up with the police, lawyers, and legal means (ie small claims court), I would also encourage you to go to your Attorney General's office and/or other consumer protection office in your locale and file a consumer complaint. Attorney General's offices do not mess around. They take things quite seriously and they can advise you, even referring you to another appropriate agency and other courses of actions you can take.

GL to you and be safe!

 

[Stitchfans]

Just another thought...

I would install multiple motion sensor flood lights. Talk to all of your neighbors and let them know what's going on (including description of people/cars/license plates) and why the flood lights were put in.

Make sure you keep all of your doors and windows locked preferably with deadbolts on the doors (even when you're home).

Continue video taping the yard.

Place no trespassing signs on your property (again, let your neighbors know why). I remember hearing somewhere that you have to have a no trespassing sign up for it to be considered trespassing.

If you've ever considered getting a dog, this could be a good time. It doesn't need to be a large one. Our large dog never barks and would probably lick an intruder. I personally think small yappy dogs make better alarms.

Document everything. It may be possible to bring it up during the lawsuit case in court.

I would be worried about getting a dog. He sounds like a nut case and I wouldn't be surprised if he would poision the dog. I wish you a lot of luck cause it is obvious you are not dealing with a sane person. Keep us posted.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

The dog idea crossed my mind...so did the thought that he might do something to do the dog.

All night I couldn't figure out what he wanted to try and do in the middle of the night. I got up this AM and thought - maybe he threw some dead animal in our hot tub.

And I forgot to mention that he wasn't alone - there was a driver and a passenger. I just know it was him b/c he was driving the company van...but the driver drove off when the other guy ran out to the van.

DH went out to the house a few minutes ago - everything looked okay.

The police said they would patrol our street more.

I'm just glad you guys think this guy is as crazy as I do.