A neighbor who doesn't share

Q. We're about to start a construction project, and workers' cars will be parked all around us. I have this ongoing problem: My neighbor constantly does vindictive things to cars parked in front of his house. Whenever a friend pops by or someone else parks their car in his spot, he quietly lets air out of their tires, sprinkles spray paint on their car or scratches it with a key.

Before we had cameras put up, nobody could prove who was doing it, but now we know, even though he wears high collars and a hat to hide his face. He has claimed it's an extension of his property. Is this true? What would you do about this? What rights to we have?

A. I think the subject of sharing was first taught to me in pre-school. Some kids picked up on the idea right away. I guess some never do. When dealing with building and zoning issues, I often learn of less friendly neighbors and their abusive bullying. I can't tell you the legal issues involved, not being a lawyer, but having taken police academy training, where they broke down the rules from an officer's perspective, your neighbor has committed enforceable offenses.

What you should be doing is making police reports, and encouraging those who have also had damage done to do the same. Under a police program I learned about in 1997 in Nassau County, the police identify problem areas and make a special effort to prevent crimes from occurring or continuing.

Repetitive criminal acts by the same individual(s) are common, especially when not reported or compiled. By alerting the police to the pattern, even giving them details that include your film footage, they can properly enforce the law without involving citizens in what can become an escalating series of actions.

Taking the law into your own hands by retaliating could end up giving you the criminal record instead of the real perpetrator. A construction worker could also end up on the wrong side of the law as well, which will not help you get your house finished and could include you as an accessory to the retaliation.

It is always best to report the crime and let our well-trained police take over. They put in a lot of time, at your expense, being trained in how best to protect your rights. Let the police do their job.

I have always wondered why certain people feel the animalistic need to become territorial about their perceived space. When I naively put on a turn signal the first time I drove from the Midwest to settle on Long Island, I noticed that some drivers sped up so that I could not change lanes. I had to adapt to the new set of unwritten rules by signaling as I was merging instead of before. Some people just never learn to share. Good luck!

© 2010 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.