VANITY: Neighbors (Rental) Nocturnal Activity (illegal) - Thoughts?

Eye-Witness | 6/18/2003 | Frapster

[Frapster]

So last night the neighbor's dog is barking non-stop which it does any time they put it in the back yard and they are in the house. The problem was I hate noisey neighbors - it's an obsessive compulsive disorder of mine (or so I've concluded). About 10:30 PM I walk out to my driveway and they have their normal 4 cars parked. 2 in the driveway and 2 in front of the house. But this time there's a large extended passenger van with side-doors running at the end of the driveway with its lights on. I think nothing of it. As soon as I step out onto the driveway and look over I see one of them get in the van and close the side doors. Again I think nothing of it. I stand there for a moment debating about saying anything and then decide to turn around and go back in. A few moments later the dog stops barking and I assume they somehow divined why I was standing in my front-yard, barefoot, in my PJs.

About 5 minutes later the dog starts barking again so finally sometime after 11PM I walk outside, down my driveway and 2 guys climb out of the parked and running van and meet me at the base of the neighbors driveway. My mind is still on the dog barking. I ask them if they live there (I never know for sure who lives there) and they say 'no, we're selling vacuums, you wanna buy one?' That kind of jiggles my thought processes a little but I just tell them I don't want a vacuum and want to talk to the neighbors about the dog's barking.

So I walk up the driveway and they cut across the yard - I'm still not fully plugged in to what's going on but they cut across the yard rather quickly ahead of me and are in the house telling the owner that I"m on my way to 'bitch' about the dog which I overhear just as I get to the door. I stick my head in the door and tell them that the dog is right under our window and we're trying to sleep and ask them politely if they could do something about it.

Now - here are my thoughts. This house has a LOT of late-night traffic as well as weekend traffic. These guys were clearly not selling vacuums because I did not see vacuum one and what kind of salesmen walks in and says 'the neighbors coming over to bitch about the dog' with said neighbor right on his heels? Secondly - when I first walked out they closed the van doors after they saw me - I clearly had that impression but could not prove that was their intent. Thirdly - the next time I walked out it seems they got out as a direct result of my 2nd appearance. Thirdly, the whole vacuum conversation is what makes me completely suspicious. Apart from being a smart aleck - why even say something like that?

My question to my fellow freepers: what kinds of things are clear indicators that something illegal is going on next door? I'm genuinely naieve about this stuff. Thanks in advance!

[babyface00]

Meth lab?

[Frapster]

Meth lab? Marijuana dealer? Stolen parts or other hot stuff? I dunno - what do I look for?

[babyface00]

Here's an article for landlords on what to look for:

http://www.ihfa.org/pdfs/RS_LL_winter_02.pdf

[Tijeras_Slim]

Throw a lit flare through a window. If the whole house explodes it was a meth lab.

[MineralMan]

"I dunno - what do I look for?"

Be careful, whatever you do. If these folks are up to illegal activities, they may not take it kindly if you go poking around. It can be very dangerous to fool with such people.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Frapster, I live in a crack infested illegal alien building and all round bad neighborhood in California.

So, my advice is: can you get together with your other neighbors about this neighbor THEN go to the police and make some kind of nuisance complaint?

I don't know if they are teens, or what, but I'd definitely start writing letters to the police and talking to *friendly* other neighbors about that house.

[Mamzelle]

Don't *look* for anything. These sound like dangerous creeps. Cops come around yet?

[hardhead]

What kind of dog is it? A shepherd, a pit bull? If it is, good possibility in addition to annoying you, it is an early warning for them inside. A house of ill-repute? A crack house?

[eyespysomething]

lolololololololololol, now wiping coffee off my monitor!

[b4its2late]

Drugs? Coke? Vacuum maybe a reference to nose candy? Just guessing, I dunno.

[strela]

The next time you think about it, step outside and take several good sniffs of the air. Do this several times over the next few days. If you smell anything resembling ether or any chemical-like smell, then it might be time to involve the authorities.

Most salespeople don't sell vacuum cleaners at 11 PM. Trust me on this.

[TSgt]

Thanks a lot!

Now I have to wipe pop off my monitor...

[savedbygrace]

Best advice: move

[Fzob]

Most towns have ordinances about barking dogs after 10:00 PM. Call the police about the noise and you can also tell them about your suspicions.

[Pern]

I dunno - what do I look for?

Don't look for anything. Talk to the owner about the barking dog, but otherwise mind your own business. It will save you alot of grief.

Why does that movie with Tom Hanks (The Burbs) come to mind?

[Huck]

Caution is advisable, and I agree with the poster who says get with other neighbors. I would try not to raise undue alarm. Tell the story and ask them the same way you asked us, to get their opinion. This will help you get their help and prevent you from causing them stress and alarm and looking to you to do something about it.

I would stay away from the neighbors. Then again, a simple solution might be to call in a noise complaint about the dog one night. Cops show up, they'll sniff trouble like you did, insinuate their way into the house and badda bing. Problem solved.

[wardaddy]

If you call the cops about suspected drug trafficking or whatever, be prepared to defend yourself if these fellows are of a vindictive nature.

I own a large self storage facility. Unless, I find dead bodies or child porno or now Islamakazis....in other words something serious......, I just tell them to move on. If I suspect they are keeping dope cars or growing pot...I just tell them to move out and quickly.

I spend 4 days a week in this front office and I'm an easy target if they get the jump on me or do a drive by on my metal building office later. I have 6 dependents and 2 sort of dependents....I'm not going to risk my life for some pot growers or dopers. A meth lab is unlikely here because of the stench.

I spent most of my adult life in war zones and I am not gonna fall on my sword for BS.

Call me jaded.

[freebilly]

I would have asked what kind of vacuums. My house needs a good once over....

[wardaddy]

What kind of neighborhood are you in?