According to Michigan law; what is the definition of and what constitutes harassment. I have a nosey neighbor that I tried just to ignore last summer but it has already started again this summer. Her complaint is that I have a play set in my front yard. She sent the ordinance enforcement officer to my home three times last year. The complaint is legit to a certain degree--but there is nothing written regarding toys in the front yard. Regardless, Dave has to come check out every complaint she makes.

I also know that when she "had it out" for another neighbor when she didn't get the results she wanted from the city police she called the county sheriff's department.

I have a lawyer but I really don't want to pay him to get a nosey neighbor off my back--Nor do I have documentation that it is she who is complaining.

Not sure what to do---Walk my dog in her yard and not clean it up???

shellyjo68

I think the person referencing having friends on the police force wasn't suggesting special treatment just the police knew her uncle and the situation. Trust me police will arrest a dear friend who is breaking the law.

I am aquainted with the city ordinance enforcer, he was a city policeman when I was a teen--Yup, I know him! It is the same type deal--he has to come investigate and take photographs. I have never got a citation b/cs the problems are taken care of-ie: I close the garbage can lid. He is forced to deal with this petty crap when there are bigger fish to fry.

Today if she comes a snooping and only if there is someone not in my family around I am going to politely and carefully ask what the basis of her complaints are. Maybe if she is aware that I know that she is the complainer she will move onto someone else who really is endangering the welfare of the community or someone that will jump right on the legal band wagon. I just don't want to cross the line to where I am the harasser rather than the harassee and I am not sure where that line is.

JudyKayTee

The harasser and harasee () problem certainly exists. I don't know either.

We don't have a Police force in my area, we rely on the State Police and they will tell you right out that they have bigger problems on their hands and, by the way, stop calling. Ends a lot of this neighborhood nonsense. Now Animal Control is a different deal - where I am if there's anything going on, people call Animal Control and he shows up, badge and gun and big truck.

I wonder - have you ever just asked her what her problem with you is, what you have ever done to her - hopefully by accident - that has upset or offended her?

Or is it beyond that - ?

shellyjo68

I think she is just a lonley old busy body with nothing better to do. Her house is actually a block away from mine. I don't have loud parties or run a meth lab. I frequently have a lot of neighbor children in my yard--but they would be in someone's yard they all live there. When I first moved in I was friendly but she would just complain about this persons roof or that persons dog so I slowly went from a greeting to a yard wave and now avoiding her.

I do intend on asking her what is going on but I want to make sure someone other than just my daughter or husband is around. I don't want untruths flying.

justcurious55

ooo here's something else you could try, kill her with kindness. you could make it a point to go and talk with her, but be really friendly and bring cookies or something. you can get your point across and its usually hard for people to be rude when someone's being really nice to them. so she might give you the time of day and you don't have to risk being the harassee.

shellyjo68

and get to the root of the problem---worth a try. Can't get much worse!

justcurious55

haha i can't believe i didn't think of it sooner myself either. lol