Harassment photography from neighbor

[fairisfair]

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.

uh, duh, well apparently it IS a lie, since the poster said that the person is pointing a camera at them and taking pictures with a telephoto lens.

Oh, I get it. If you PRETEND not to know, then it wouldn't be a lie. Whatever.

 

[fairisfair]

"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.

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)[/QUOTE]

Now that was actually decent advice.

 

[fairisfair]

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

some one taking pictures of you, is not the equivalent to some one pointing a gun at you.

Yes, this is making a mountain out of a molehill.

Sometimes addressing an issue in itself, escalates the issue. Especially, as the neighbor is doing nothing illegal.

 

[justalayman]

FARMALL_M;1662625]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.

Sounds like a mature and reasonable response.

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 description of the property line change to reflect this?

The legal description does not change unless a court rules that it changes. For a prescriptive easement or a claim of adverse possession to be perfected, the claimant has to go to court and request the action become whatever they are claiming. No suit, no change of lines.

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

.Well, you have tried.

I just thought maybe I had something here, but its becoming 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.

If you enjoy playing with her, it would be simple to do. I would suspect you will tire of it before she does though.

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.:eek

Well, I certainly would not be too concerned about them concerning this. BTW; have they brought up a legal challenge to this yet? The wells would most assuredly reduce the value of their home and a suit to prevent it would definitely not be beyond reason from their perspective. I know I would surely challenge such an action next door to me.

Have you ever simply though of offering to buy them out? Have you attempted top speak to the son? If it is as you suspect, he may be the sanity behind the situation you need.

I like the idea of a moderator but in lieu of that I would suggest possibly a letter from your attorney requesting the actions as noted be ceased. He could also offer an invitation to air their grievances apart from you. It may give them a way to let you know what the problem is.

If all else fails, tell them to go to hell and ignore them after that. As long as they do not break the law there is little you can do.

You might want to research your states laws concerning stalking though. Sometimes they can be used to stop such actions if the aggressors get a wee bit overly assertive.

 

[lcannister]

The matter is escalating and needs to be addressed.[/B]

Oh brother, maybe you can instruct the OP on how to file a MILLION dollar lawsuit to MAKE them move.

Making a big deal out of it can certainly escalate the situation (as you WELL know) or ignoring it could make the neighbor go away! So far the neighbor is on her property taking pics!

The wells would most assuredly reduce the value of their home and a suit to prevent it would definitely not be beyond reason from their perspective. I know I would surely challenge such an action next door to me.

ABSOLUTELY!

but now I say go ahead and I will have the access road relocated so it goes right past their house.

Is this access road deeded/titled to them?

 

[donovanatee]

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)

Now that was actually decent advice.[/QUOTE]


I have BEEN THROUGH this type of crap. Farmall may have assumed it was a camera with a telephoto lens. If his neighbor is crazy and he is a hundred acres away, he might not know for sure. I had a paintgun pointed at me and assumed it was a real gun.
The thing looked just like an AK-47!
There are weapons that look like cameras. You can't be sure what crazy/angry people are pointing at you.

Mediation did not work for us through a mediation service, so I asked the police to mediate
at the station with all parties present. While progress is slow, this appears to be working, aas the police are able to put a bit of pressure on both parties to settle.

Farmall might get lucky with a simple session through professional mediators, depending on how reasonable the parties wish to be in settling the dispute.

 

[donovanatee]

Oh brother, maybe you can instruct the OP on how to file a MILLION dollar lawsuit to MAKE them move.


Actually it was a million and a half. What help do you offer the poster by criticizing
my actions when you do not know my circumstances? If you did and you are a remotely
reasonable human being you would be ashamed of yourself.

The OP's hostiities with the neighbors is escalating. They are going out of their way
to intimidate him just to be a-holes. They are looking for a reaction. He's not giving
them one, so they will either get bored and stop, or they will try something else.
In my case, I ignored stupid stuff (but much worse than) likeOP is going through for about a year. We were finally assaulted to the point that we had to file criminal charges. When that didn't cool their heels we filed a civil lawsuit. I am trying to help this guy work on reducing hostilites from people who are intentionally trying to intimidate him.
These things start small but they can grow quickly.

 

[Ozark_Sophist]

Mediation sounds good, else ignore the neighbors.

 

[FARMALL_M]

Ok everybody here is what is going to happen. The next I go by and she is out with what looks like a camera that may or may not have film I will shut down the mower and ask her why she has been taking pictures the last few weeks. She should be in the normal spot about 30ft away. I will talk loud enough for her to hear, but not yelling.

Now will she answer and start a conversation or walk away? Any bets? Just trying to stay positive.

If she walks away I will return home and contact the state police. I will explain that my neighbor has been pointing what looks like a camera at me whenever I mow and refuses to explain. I would request the state police to talk with her in hopes of setting up a three way conversation (me, her and the state police) to find out whats up.

Since I just mowed it will be about two weeks before I mow again.

 

[donovanatee]

Ok everybody here is what is going to happen. The next I go by and she is out with what looks like a camera that may or may not have film I will shut down the mower and ask her why she has been taking pictures the last few weeks. She should be in the normal spot about 30ft away. I will talk loud enough for her to hear, but not yelling.

Now will she answer and start a conversation or walk away? Any bets? Just trying to stay positive.

If she walks away I will return home and contact the state police. I will explain that my neighbor has been pointing what looks like a camera at me whenever I mow and refuses to explain. I would request the state police to talk with her in hopes of setting up a three way conversation (me, her and the state police) to find out whats up.

Since I just mowed it will be about two weeks before I mow again.

It sounds reasonable, I just hope she doesn't falsely accuse you of threatening her
and then get her family members to back up the story. That is more or less what happened to me, which is why I installed video cameras around my house. This is obviously not an option for you with over 200 acres to cover. Is it possible to have someone else from the farm around when you attempt to speak with her?
Maybe someone using another mower who stays a respectful distance away but still within
earshot?

 

[lcannister]

Ok everybody here is what is going to happen. The next I go by and she is out with what looks like a camera that may or may not have film I will shut down the mower and ask her why she has been taking pictures the last few weeks. She should be in the normal spot about 30ft away. I will talk loud enough for her to hear, but not yelling.

She could be mentally off, someone suggest you speak with the son and that is the best advice in this thread. IF she is incapacitated mentally then you might indeed be in danger if she is unable to realize what you are asking or wondering about. CALL the son first, before the police and see if he can help or perhaps explain her behavior.