Neighbor Harassment Since Moving Here - Caught Him Spraying Something On My Door, Balcony Today (female, male)

[NeighborProblems]

PLEASE read, in need of desperate advice from someone older and wise.

My mother and I moved into these apartments about 8 months ago.

The male neighbor has been giving me hell since then but now becoming dangerous.

The 2nd day we moved in, he heard us coming in the house, then he told someone he didn't like my ass.

The 3rd day, we were coming in, he slammed his door, then loudly said, "Them ******* back, huh!" Whoever he was talking to didn't say anything, so he repeated himself.


Well, I work from home and don't go out much, so don't see him that often. However, when I would talk on the phone, I'd hear him opening my balcony gate, then I'd peek out the window to see him standing there listening to me as I talked on the phone.

Other than that, when my mother was at work, I'd just smell something funny smelling every now and then and become really sick. I'll get to this in a minute.

By this time, I wanted to report him, but my mother didn't want me to. She just said ignore him to keep it as peaceful as possible. My mother is the friendly Christian, turn the other cheek type of person, so even though he acted this way, she continued speaking to him. I would just try to avoid eye contact.


Other than that, there was no drama for months--just him listening to me inside the house on the phone, for whatever reason.


Now, yesterday, I woke up to him talking loudly to some female outside my bedroom window.

He was telling her some lies about my mother and I--saying we were talking about her and others. Later, I heard her and some other ladies talking loud about how they will whoop a$$, etc. Referring to us.

We ignored it. Last night, I was online working (work at home) when I smelled something funny, became really sickly again. I went and woke my mother up, asked if she smelled anything, but she was extremely sleepy so said, "No." and went back to snoring.

Now, this morning, around 10 am, I woke up to him playing music loudly outside my bedroom window. I looked outside, he was on the balcony/patio in front of my window. It seemed like he was waiting for me to see him, because he was out there playing the music while facing my window. When he saw me looking, he went and picked up some black spray bottle, started spraying something all over my patio. A few minutes later, I began feeling sickly again.

So, I called my mother, told her enough was enough, I'm calling the cops. I only have a Google phone, so I had to call the non emergency number. It's been over a hour, I'm still waiting on them.

Mind you, we don't hang outside. We don't know any of these people. We've never done anything to them. I don't understand where all the hate and harassment is coming from. The only thing I can think is we don't fit in. They smoke, drink, party, etc. whereas we don't.

He's married with kids--about 5, 7 and 13. I don't know why they have issues with us--especially him. I've met up with him outside maybe 10 times since being here. I've only saw the women roughly 2 times since being here.

The ONLY time we go outside is to take out the trash, go shopping, go somewhere and my mother to work. We don't sit on the balcony, none of that. I keep to myself, don't even look at these people because they are very cliquish. They just stare when we walk by. My mother keeps to herself as well except she speaks even though the majority don't speak back.

Have you ever experienced this? Any clue why all the hatred for people they don't even know? Mainly this guy.

UPDATE: I don't have transportation, my mother is at work, I'm still feeling extremely bad but now my head is hurting badly and feeling weaker. Cops haven't came yet.

[Butterfly4u]

Neighbor,
Move.
You rent an apartment. You aren't stuck there,
so call the police, report him, call the landlord, tell them you
are leaving because of the neighbor harassing you and that he sprays
dangerous chemicals on your balcony that make you sick.
Go out today, find an apartment, and move.
You aren't a tree.
You can move.
If your mom won't move, let her stay there, you move.

[NeighborProblems]

We live together, because I don't earn enough to leave on my own. She has 4 months left on the lease. It's not like I can move today. We don't have the money and it takes a few days to get apartments ready, etc. I don't know anybody here because we are in another state, so there's no one to stay with either.

Originally Posted by Butterfly4u

Neighbor,
Move.
You rent an apartment. You aren't stuck there,
so call the police, report him, call the landlord, tell them you
are leaving because of the neighbor harassing you and that he sprays
dangerous chemicals on your balcony that make you sick.
Go out today, find an apartment, and move.
You aren't a tree.
You can move.
If your mom won't move, let her stay there, you move.

[STT Resident]

Unfortunately there's often no rhyme or reason to such behavior and I'm sorry you have to deal with such unpleasantness. Likely the police will have a chat with him and advise him to leave you alone and tell you likewise to simply ignore him but of course if he persists then call them again - and let your landlord know too if you haven't done so already. Ask the police to please write a report and get a copy of it - it'll cost you a couple of $$s but it's best to document everything in case things escalate (which hopefully they won't).

Sounds as though he's the big neighborhood bully who doesn't like anyone other than his own kind.

[afoigrokerkok]

Graffiti is a crime. Press charges for that.

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by afoigrokerkok

Graffiti is a crime. Press charges for that.

Where are you seeing anything about graffiti?

[afoigrokerkok]

Originally Posted by STT Resident

Where are you seeing anything about graffiti?

He picked up a "black spray bottle" and sprayed something all over the door and patio.

[Sabinerose]

What has your LL said about all this? He / she may have had issues with this tenant before and just looking for another complaint to evict them...you won't know if you keep quiet and allow yourselves to be pushed around by this neighbor.

I have never heard of a phone that wasn't able to call 911?!

[apexgds]

Originally Posted by afoigrokerkok

He picked up a "black spray bottle" and sprayed something all over the door and patio.

How is that graffiti? We don't know what the spray bottle contains, but the OP didn't indicate that there was any visible residue.

[apexgds]

OP, first and foremost, get yourself a real phone. Stat. Even if it's a prepaid phone. If something serious goes down, you need the ability to call 911.

Next, contact the landlord and discuss your options. He may be willing to let you move into a different unit away from this neighbor for the remainder of the lease.