We recently had a huge fire rip through our neighborhood that took out several homes. It was widely publicized in the media, as 5 firefighters were lost in this horrific California blaze. Our home was spared, however, our neighbor's home was destroyed. We have never liked this particular neighbor and he has been arrogant, rude and disrespectful toward us since he moved in 6 years ago. We've been here 12 years. He has blamed the firefighters for their own deaths and has made heinous comments about all of us in our little area. His anger at losing his home has made him worse than ever. He is now having to rebuild his home and is constantly blocking my driveway and using it with big, heavy trucks that will break our already worn concrete. He parks on our property without permission and his cronies do as well. When we politely ask them to remove their cars, we receive major attitude, maybe a finger or two and/or nasty comments. As much as I would like to take the "high road" with this jerk and be helpful, it's just not possible or sensible. He has no courtesy or kindness toward us, or our other neighbors who also lost their home and have to rebuild. He has treated our other neighbor the same and we both want nothing to do with him. How can I deal with someone like this? When I ask that he keep his equipment on his own property and not block our driveways, it creates a flow of gossip around our neighborhood. While I understand that he must rebuild, and we feel terrible for his loss, he need not trash our property while rebuilding his. How can I get this point across to him without further creating a firestorm of gossip? And why am I the bad guy? Any serious response would be appreciated.

Have you considered putting up No Trespassing signs?

Thank you, yes, signs up, makes no difference.

This really should be in the Real Estate Law forum and I will suggest it be moved there.

I would go to your neighbor and tell them that while you have tried to be nice considering the circumstances, the situation has become intolerable. If he continues to trespass on your property you will have no choice but to call the police. Immediately after you have this talk, put up No Trespassing signs. The next time the neighbor or any of his cronies or contractors puts any equipment on your property, call the police. You might want to inform the police about the situation first.

Scott, the signs are already up. Should she just call the police?

Scott, the signs are already up. Should she just go ahead and call the police?

I saw that after I submitted my response. I would still give the neighbor fair warning. But then I would not hesitate.

We live in the mountains and the Police do not come out here for these types of things. We have to call the Sheriff and they will come only if they're not busy, and it takes about 1.5 hours. This is a really sticky situation as we have to share a driveway easement. I have three driveways, two enter our barn property and one goes up to our home. His driveway is off the main easement driveway that 4 homes use, right by our main home driveway where it splits. Thank you guys for your info. This is a really hard situation. =^^=

Police, sheriff,doesn't matter. It's the same thing. If you have posted signs and talked to the neighbor, then you are out of options. Your only option is to call them.

Put up a temp fence, even something like an electric fence they use for keeping livestock in.

And if you don't do that, sue the owner of the trucks on your drive way and the neighbor for the damage,

Take photos of the tresspass, with alog of the number of times you called the police ( yes call every time even if they won't come to document it)

At this point you take that evidence and file a criminal complaint with the county court.