Harassment photography from neighbor

[FARMALL_M]

What is the name of your state? PA

One of my neighbors owns a 1 acre lot and I own 247 arces on three sides of them. About two years ago they (elderly mother and single daughter in 40's) were placing stakes way over the property line. I paid for a survey and discovered that over the years they have crept way over the eastern border. I asked them to stay on their own property. They were not very happy, but complied. They had to move the satellite antenna and a few feet of driveway. Later that same year they (I think their son from out of state) put up a nice solid fence on the eastern side. Maybe mom was trying to expand again and her son was trying to help by telling her to stay on her side of the fence, either way all was quite until this summer.

Now the daughter takes photos of me everytime I mow my yard or pass by on the tractor in the field. Once or twice ok, but now its constant. Does this action make grounds for a harassment lawsuit?What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

 

[donovanatee]

Is she taking the photos from "her side of the fence"?

 

[FARMALL_M]

Yes they are on their side of the line. I understand that you can take photos of anything that can be seen from 'public' or your own property. And at first I would just wave Hi and they would go away mad. But its getting worse where they have a telephoto lens aimed directly at me when I go by. Its one thing to take photos of buildings and scerny, but this kind of photo taking aimed directly close in I feel is something different. Again would this be considered harassment?

 

[donovanatee]

Not in and of itself. Does she yell at you while she's doing it?

This woman is just harassing you and attempting to intimidate you. Pursuing this alone
would not be worth it either financially or emotionally.

I would, however, call the police, tell them that you are concerned by the actions and ask them to go speak to her. Tell them you think it's a camera she's aiming at you, but since you are two hundred acres away sometimes, you can't be sure exactly WHAT she is aiming at you. I am discovering that the police can be more useful in these
neighbor matters than you think. Be reasonable and tell the cop that you understand
the action may be legal, but it is escalating hostilities between you, and that you fear
things might get worse if she doesn't cut the crap.

She might tell them she is just taking nature photos and you are paranoid, but it's worth a try. Don't get cute and waive or smile when being photographed. Wear a hat and sunglasses if you can, and understand that you are dealing with a childish mentality.
Chances are if you don't give her the reaction she wants, she'll get bored and move on.

 

[seniorjudge]

...


Now the daughter takes photos of me everytime I mow my yard or pass by on the tractor in the field.

....

How do you know she is taking photos?

 

[lcannister]

Tell them you think it's a camera she's aiming at you, but since you are two hundred acres away sometimes, you can't be sure exactly WHAT she is aiming at you

Yep let's lie to the police to insinuate something that is not there to get them out there.

OP you ever try to smile, throw up your hand or invite them to coffee to DE escalate any potential problems?

discovered that over the years they have crept way over the eastern border. I asked them to stay on their own property. They were not very happy, but complied. They had to move the satellite antenna and a few feet of driveway.

Don't know how long that driveway had been there but look up your states adverse possession rules and regs and you might find she indeed owns some of that property if she starts asking around of the right person.

 

[justalayman]

Don't know how long that driveway had been there but look up your states adverse possession rules and regs and you might find she indeed owns some of that property if she starts asking around of the right person.

Not anymore. The acceptance of the correct line and respect of it stopped the adverse possession possibility, including any previous claims if they have not been acted upon in whatever timeline is accepted per their states laws.

Since the action to stop the possession was "about 2 years ago" is supect the time to argue such possession has since passed.

 

[ENASNI]

Are you fat and hairy?

Sorry, that is my pat answer when Someone wants to get rid of a rommate, i do landord/tenant law.

But jeesh. This really sucks the Big Gulp 7-11 style. Have you checked out your local/cit/count? laaws yet> there is a plethora info there. Try it you will like it even if you are not Mikey.

 

[lcannister]

Not anymore. The acceptance of the correct line and respect of it stopped the adverse possession possibility, including any previous claims if they have not been acted upon in whatever timeline is accepted per their states laws.

Since the action to stop the possession was "about 2 years ago" is supect the time to argue such possession has since passed.

I missed or read over the 2 years ago and agree with your response.

 

[justalayman]

the way I see it, you got two choices;

being nice

being nasty.

nice; talk, coffee, maybe even a BBQ

nasty; well, I won;t go there yet.



The best avenue is to simply find out what their hang-up is and try to settle this in a civilized manner. It sounds like you have had little to no contact with the neighbors. Sometimes a sit down is all that is needed to solve the worlds problems.

 

[FARMALL_M]

No yelling or other such actions. She just hides behind the camera.

Film or no film the pictures don't matter it's just the way she is doing it.

As far as the police are concerned I will only contact the police when I have solid evidence and I am not going to take pictures of her taking pictures of me. I will not drop to her level.

As far as the adverse possession issue I do not think they know about that because they did return to their side of the line and I started to mow right up to the line. A question on this issue - At what point does the legal discription of the property line change to reflect this?

I have tried to say hi and talk with them, but they just turn around and walk away.
No form of intelligent conversation or BBQ here.

I just thought maybe I had something here, but its becomming clear it would be very difficult and costly to prove it. She does have to stop watching tv or whatever else she does and get the camera so in that view I am in control there.

Later this fall the gas company is scheduled to drill some wells and they have one staked out very close to them. At first I did not want one drilled close to their house, but now I say go ahead and I will have the access road relocated so it goes right past their house.

 

[lcannister]

Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill. That is not to say ignore a potential danger.

 

[donovanatee]

Yep let's lie to the police to insinuate something that is not there to get them out there.

Is it a lie? I had a similar problem, and while I suspected it was a camera, I could not be certain WHAT it was. Neighborhood hostilites can escalate, and when they do, people can cross a line. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[donovanatee]

"Later this fall the gas company is scheduled to drill some wells and they have one staked out very close to them. At first I did not want one drilled close to their house, but now I say go ahead and I will have the access road relocated so it goes right past their house.[/QUOTE]


This will only escalate the hostilities. Have you considered a mediation service with the neighbors? You split the cost of the service with them, sit down with professional mediators in a non-threatening enviornmet and try to establish what exactly the problems are and come up with possible solutions. This doesn't always work, but it might be worth a try if you really want to peacefully resolve the problem(s)

 

[donovanatee]

Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill. That is not to say ignore a potential danger.

Both sides of your mouth are WIDE OPEN! The matter is escalating and needs to be addressed.