Violent Neighbor - No Police Protection - What do I do?

[CHEVELLE427]

And you would rather he just kill the guy for pounding on the door I guess.

The way I read it. there is a person making threats to another because they called the law a few times, guy coming to his home wanting in were guy that called the law has no weapon to defend himself.
cops dont/wont do anything , so he is just supposed to tuck his tail in and move. or not come out of his home until the DA downstairs is a sleep.

WTH.

 

[Indifferent]

Pester the cops and landlord every time this guy does something. Don't confront the guy.

The landlord will either kick him out or let you break the lease and leave.

Yep.
And keep a firearm, train your family. Become Zen in case you do ever unfortunetly have to use it, with this guy, I'd recommend a small Revolver that way you can keep it in your pocket on the way to the car, etc.

Living with apartment neighbors sucks.

I had one of my neighbors/friend, his apartment was open, his car was not there, people not related to him were in the apartment. I walked by not showing concern, loaded only my itty bitty .22 Ruger, stuck it down my drawers and walked back, called him, no answer, asked them what they were doing, no response, said I was going to call the police and got a a "I'm going to kill you look", called the police, 24 minutes later, turns out they were a cleaning crew that didn't speak english, he had paid them to clean his apartment. I felt silly with that Ruger aimed at my manhood, but, I also felt comfortable enough to go and try to see whats going on, sometimes just the comfort is all you need.

 

[bogie]

Guys, some of you need to take a step back.

You're sounding like movie cowboys out looking for a fight.

Being armed with lethal force means you do not have the luxury of looking for a fight.

And for the genius who suggested whacking someone with a bat - Welcome to the concept of "assault and battery with a deadly weapon." Because that's what that is. Can you say "depressed skull fracture?" You may think "Oh, just whack them in the leg." Bull. Someone comes through your door, you aren't going to be aiming all that carefully.

1) Be capable of self defense.

2) Before that, be capable of self control.

About 10 years ago, when I lived in an apartment near a campus, I had some neighbors who decided to have a party. At about 2:00 in the morning, I was beating upon their door, until a lull in the music allowed the people inside to hear, whereupon they noticed a very large, red-eyed, furry fellow in a bathrobe standing upon their threshold. I gently informed them that they really needed to turn it down, because I had to get up and go to work in about five hours, and that it would be a damn shame for the police to show up, and could I please have a beer before I went back downstairs?

They turned it down. We got along just fine.

Didn't shoot anyone. Didn't even consider it.

 

[Monkeybear]

And you would rather he just kill the guy for pounding on the door I guess.

As far as I can tell the guy only pounded on his door once. I would rather he not get himself into legal trouble when the officers find a injured/dead man in his apartment and no signs of forced entry. You can kill a man with a bat.

I am not saying tuck tail and run because you are intimidated. I am saying either you feel your life is in danger or you do not. If you do, then you and your loved ones should relocate to an area where you do not feel that you might be killed. The real question is:Is his neighbor a threat or just a loud jerk?

There are other ways to deal with jerks than moving or killing and there other places to discuss it.

The best way to deal with violence is to avoid it and when you cannot avoid it, to respond in kind. Now I agree with Jeff Cooper's wisdom that "you cannot defeat evil by fleeing from it" however this neigbor dose not sound "evil". Loud and potentially violent is more like it. It is this potential for violence that I suggest we all make a point, in our daily lives, to avoid. Many people who are not "evil, people who do not prey on others, have a potential for violence. Many who are not "killers" have killed in times of intense emotion and poor judgment. If this confrontation has the potential to escalate into a "kill or be killed" situation then I suggest he move or get his neighbor to move, which ever sounds like the quickest resolution.

I had one of my neighbors/friend, his apartment was open, his car was not there, people not related to him were in the apartment. I walked by not showing concern, loaded only my itty bitty .22 Ruger, stuck it down my drawers and walked back, called him, no answer, asked them what they were doing, no response, said I was going to call the police and got a a "I'm going to kill you look", called the police, 24 minutes later, turns out they were a cleaning crew that didn't speak english, he had paid them to clean his apartment. I felt silly with that Ruger aimed at my manhood, but, I also felt comfortable enough to go and try to see whats going on, sometimes just the comfort is all you need.

Thats the wrong kind of courage. I do nothing armed that I would not do unarmed.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

SOME REASON IM LOST NOW,

Recap
perp comes to my door pounding on it and has already made a threat to kick my ass if I call the law again.

I dont own a gun but it sounds like if I did it would be OK to shoot this guy if he comes in my house.

so plan B is i have this bat,
not as deadly as a gun but will work.

Prep bangs on my door I open it he comes in (my house) making threats and its a bad thing to pound on him because it is

"assault and battery with a deadly weapon." Because that's what that is. Can you say "depressed skull fracture?"

but I can shoot him and this is better somehow.
did I get lost in this tail somewere.
not sure if you still have to run and hide in your state but we have the right to stand our ground in FLORIDA, our duty is not to run away anymore.

i guess if the bully is bothering me i best pick up my toys and move so i wont get in trouble when i pound on him. WITH MY BAT

 

[Monkeybear]

SOME REASON IM LOST NOW,

...........made a threat to kick my ass if I call the law again........

but I can shoot him and this is better somehow.

Not if you open the door. World of difference between him breaking down your door and you opening it for him while armed. The door creates a boundary. That boundary diffuses your claim the the man you killed had the ability to kill you. It also prevents you from being in jeopardy. Once he breaks it down, things are different. If you remove it for him, after he made his threats.....not so much.

Also important to note: World of difference between "I'm gonna kick your ass" and "I'm gonna kill you".

 

[CHEVELLE427]

As far as I can tell the guy only pounded on his door once. I would rather he not get himself into legal trouble when the officers find a injured/dead man in his apartment and no signs of forced entry. You can kill a man with a bat.

I am not saying tuck tail and run because you are intimidated. I am saying either you feel your life is in danger or you do not. If you do, then you and your loved ones should relocate to an area where you do not feel that you might be killed. The real question is: Is his neighbor a threat or just a loud jerk?

There are other ways to deal with jerks than moving or killing them and other places to discuss it.

IF HE COMES IN MY HOME BY FORCE OR OPEN DOOR AND HE THREATENS ME AND MINE. HE WILL BE DEALT WITH ACCORDING TO THE THREAT LEVEL HE HAS OFFERED.

anyway if i go to the door at anytime after dark my weapon comes along as well

 

[Monkeybear]

IF HE COMES IN MY HOME BY FORCE OR OPEN DOOR AND HE THREATENS ME AND MINE

If he knocks, you open the door and then he threatens you that is one thing. If he threatens you and then you open the door that is quite another. Why would you invite violence into your home? If you open the door, can we believe you are truly in fear of your life or are you just retaliating?

HE WILL BE DEALT WITH ACCORDING TO THE THREAT LEVEL HE HAS OFFERED.

People make threats all the time. Do you respond to every one accordingly?

Sounds like the "manly" thing to say and all that, but I prefer to try and diffuse a potentially violent situation if possible.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

but I prefer to try and diffuse a potentially violent situation if possible.

same here, but im also too old and broken to not watch what is around me, or who has it in for me. most of the time im sorta

likeable

 

[Monkeybear]

CHEVELLE427- Sorry if it seems as if I singled you out back there in my post where I referred to you as "this guy". I should have worded it better. Its been edited.

Hey, I hit 1,000 post! Only took 30 months.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

it is just the heat of the minute. you have a good point. no IM not going to open the door to let the threat in,

But I should have the right to open my door at any time without worrying about what a jury would say.

i have always had a gun in my truck for as long as i can remember . never thought the day would come were i thought i would want/need to carry one.

my how the times have changed in such a short time

 

[Monkeybear]

I should have the right to open my door at any time without worrying about what a jury would say.

an excellent point as well

 

[CHEVELLE427]

well this has been a hoot buT i got to go,
GUN SHOW IN THE MORNING.

got to hunt for them deals. LOL

 

[dalepres]

He cranked it up louder. I went down there to ask what the hell was his problem.

The guy flipped out completely, like roid rage style. He was talking about how if I ever called the cops again he would kick my ass (I guess because we called the cops when he may have been beating a woman) and blah blah. He then went on ranting and calling names and all of that. I closed and locked the door as the guy was out of his mind. He then started banging on the door and trying to open the handle to get inside... and do something violent I am sure.

Sounds like this is being made up as it goes along. You went down there and locked his door?

 

[Matt G]

A: Keep calling the cops when he disturbs the peace.

B: Keep a log of this. Ideally, ask that the officer come by your apartment afterwards, to tell you what he did (citation, warning, etc), and ask for a card with the service number on it. Log those service numbers.

C: Keep your landlord apprised of the police reports. Landlords hate hassles, and will evict a troublesome tennant. Do a public records request for calls for service to your apartment and his. (Noise complaints get logged either way, sometimes-- caller's location or actor's location.)

D: Do NOT seek confrontation.

E: If he calms down on his own, let it lie. That's a win.

F: By all means arm yourself. Keep a handgun (shotguns aren't going to be coming to the door with you). Learn to use it. Store it safely. Make sure everyone in the house, regardless of their interest in using the gun, knows and understands the Four Rules Of Gun Safety. I like K-frame revolvers, like the Model 10, with heavy barrels of about 3 to 4 inches. But medium-framed Glocks, DAO autos and the like are fine, too.

G: Do NOT get into the "intimidation game." Make no threats.

 

[sfmittels]

I actually read all the posts in this thread, for which I should get some sort of award. You are in a classic "lose-lose" situation. It's not caused by you; you're just the poor SOB who lives above this puddle of testosterone.

You've got a wife, for crying out loud. Guns are not the answer. Police complaints are not the answer (but they perhaps can't hurt). Your landlord already has revealed himself as a spineless whelp.

GET THE HELL OUT. Lease be damned. Preferrably, move when Mr Neanderthal isn't home. Don't leave a forwarding address, and get a new phone number. In the words of my CCW instructor in Arizona, "the best defense is the Nike Defense" [ie: RUN AWAY]. Don't sweat your dignity. Just disappear. If the landlord doesn't like you breaking your lease, let him take you to court and prove his case against your well-documented evidence. Get away from this Neanderthal as quickly as possible.

This thread started three days ago. You should be gone by now. If you choose to go the firearms route, learn the law, learn the rules, and practice, practice, practice. And prepare for some jail time, because I'm sure Mike Nifong club prosecutors are alive and active in your area.

I'm not saying this is easy. You may very well like where you're living. Look, I'm 60 years old and have seen all sorts of stuff in my life. If this guy is as bad as you've pictured him, you need to disappear. I know it's not pleasant, nor is it easy. I wish you well.

 

[maestro pistolero]

And for the genius who suggested whacking someone with a bat - Welcome to the concept of "assault and battery with a deadly weapon." Because that's what that is. Can you say "depressed skull fracture?" You may think "Oh, just whack them in the leg." Bull. Someone comes through your door, you aren't going to be aiming all that carefully.

I'm that genius. If you can avoid shooting someone whose broken down your door with a little pain compliance I would consider that an act of kindness.

No point in hitting him in the head as that is lethal force. Thank you for helping to make that clear.

My point is, the force should match the level of threat. If a little pepper spray does the job, stop there. If he fights you unarmed after the OC, ramp it up a little with a couple of whacks to the soft tissue and firm commands to leave or stay down.
If he's armed with anything, all bets are off.

 

[bogie]

I'm not all that bloody coordinated. If someone comes through my door, and all I have is a bat, I'm gonna be thinking Babe Ruth. How do I know that? Because I'm old and experienced.

And because if they've come through my door, well... They've come through a door that a paranoid former city dweller "fixed."

Steel, with big ol' long screws, etc., etc...

And if I'm scared enough to grab a baseball bat, well, I'm gonna grab the 'gauge instead.

HOWEVER...

It's much better to not seek confrontation. I mean, have you EVER tried to get blood out of drywall?

 

[bigfatdave]

Last post by will500: August 13th, 2008, 09:32 PM.
Last Activity: August 14th, 2008 12:00 AM

Maybe the debate should be paused until he returns to it.
That would limit assumptions and guesses about his situation.

 

[blackcash88]

Maybe he's dead?

 

[bigfatdave]

• Maybe he's too busy packing and moving to reply.
• Maybe he got put in the hospital by the aggressive neighbor.
• Maybe he is too busy this weekend at a beginner's handgun class to reply.
• Maybe he was a troll in the first place.
• Maybe he was carrying a baseball bat down the stairs and fell on his violent neighbor accidentally, 27 times.
• Maybe he is out getting wasted with his neighbor [who seems to have access to recreational substances] and now they are the best of friends.

The point I was trying to make was that the thread was wandering into attempts to interpret vague information.
I'm sure that any of the passionate and opinionated replies are 100% correct, if the assumptions made by those same passionate & opinionated people are also correct.

 

[blackbearaddict]

if u think u need a gun get a gun knowing as much as possible about it and ONLY get it out unless you or your wife are in immediate danger. I would get a piece of thick rebar about a foot long with something to attach to your wrist so it doesnt slip. Keep it close by to you.
ANd one last thing, is get as many people to complain as much as possible. Also try the state cops instead.

 

[dbones]

If a BG is dumb enough to break down a door then I am smart enough to know that he is not rational and he will be shot. End of story, no warning or anything. My job at that moment is to protect me and my family and I will take whatever extreme, fast method at hand.

I would also have someone in my family be talking to to 911 Operator and explaining to them that if this fool comes thru that door by force he will be leaving in and ambulance at the least from a gunshot.

Quit trying to pussyfoot around this issue. the idiot has proven he is not rational so I was taught to deal with that in only one way. Protect!!!!!!!

 

[FCFC]

Maybe the debate should be paused until he returns to it.
That would limit assumptions and guesses about his situation.

Maybe he's in jail on assault with a lethal weapon charges.

Perhaps. But I'm sure some people would find a way to defend him...

 

[LKB3rd]

http://outdoornewsdaily.com/index.php/archives/2106
It doesn't appear as if PA has a "castle doctrine" which in most versions allows you to assume deadly intent of anyone breaking into your home. So, if he breaks in, and there is no clear "disparity of force" (in a confrontation between males, this will generally mean 2 or more vs you, or knowledge that he is trained in a martial art, that you can prove in court), you will not be justified in shooting him unless he has a weapon.
Get a video recorder, record him, take a martial arts class. Buy extra mace, and after you douse him with it, beat him senseless with your fists. If you buy a gun, learn the laws, and whether you agree with them or not, be prepared to have them used against you if you shoot an unarmed man.