When do anonymous neighbor and association reports evolve into harassment?
George Santayana, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
Not unlike the Nightmare on Stephenson Boulevard, published 7/2011 on Talk of the Sound (TOTS), it seems that there are still a few New Rochelle residents who are very eager and willing to file anonymously complains based on personal grudges, individual dislikes and/or bias.
We were told today (9/5/12) that anonymous neighbor reports are common in small towns. As we read in the TOTS “Nightmare…” series, isolated incidents like this can and do morph and evolve, taking on a life of their own of not stopped by exposing them to the sterilizing light of day.
In the beginning:
When we moved in 2001 to the 10801 zip code, multiple double bagged garbage bags containing household trash along with tires as assorted refuse were left daily in front of our home for months. In addition all of the thermostats were broken when we moved in and needed immediate repair. We complained and nothing was done. This was our welcome to the neighborhood.
Shortly after we moved in, a neighborhood pastor asked if we would adopt a local dog who needed a home. This dog was known throughout the neighborhood and was a known and accepted barker.
The barking we were told saved its owner’s life. We were also told that the dog was a hero and great with seniors. We saw this dog walked daily. The dog lived and barked on the block without incident for over ten years.
We asked every neighbor within earshot if they had a problem with us giving the dog a home. No one objected and everyone encouraged the adoption.
After we agreed to adopt the dog, and paid thousands of dollars in vet bills, we found out within 24 hours that the dog had serious kidney problems and would require a lot of medical treatment.
Within 48 hours of taking the dog in we received a New Rochelle court summons in response to an anonymous complaint for having a barking dog filed by a neighbor who lied to our face when he said it was ok to adopt the dog. He also denied he made the call to the New Rochelle Police Department.
The dog was barking and standing by the door because he wanted to return to his home at the end of the block. He did not understand that the home he knew no longer existed and we were his last and only chance to live out his natural life. The dog was returned to the family of the original owner before we went to court and it was eventually euthanized.
We worked with Councilman Michael Boyle (an angel on earth) and others. Without their assistance we could not have navigated these treacherous waters.
We were also prohibited by court order from owning a dog for several years. Without the assistance of Councilman Boyle along with others, this situation surely would have spiraled more out of control.
When We read the Nightmare on Stephenson Boulevard series on TOTS, We knew that we had dodged the bullet thanks to Councilman Boyle and others.
After 11 years without incident June 2012, we received a visit from a New Rochelle building inspector.
We were advised that the city had received a complaint of tall grass and weeds from an anonymous person. I was told the ONLY reason they were there was because of the anonymous complaint. I cut the grass immediately and received an email the next day stating the next anonymous complaint would generate a court summons.
We were shocked. We though we had a good relationship with the buildings commissioner.
We took the inspector at his word when he said the only reason he was there was because of an anonymous complaint and asked if we knew the person who might have reported us.
We called friends at TOTS and spoke with neighbors for their advice and support. The weeds at issue after I cut the grass in public view turned out to be a patch of mint in my backyard garden that could only be viewed by trespassing on my property. The grass in public view was not an issue. The person who filed the anonymous report had trespassed on my property looking for a reason to file a complaint.
The buildings department stated they did not know the identities of the persons who file complaints as they (the buildings department)do not log or keep records of incoming calls.
Then on Sept. 5, 2012, we were approached by a neighbor/local association board member on his way to an association board meeting. He walked across the street to ask us about the status of our air conditioning unit. The association board member said he had received an anonymous complaint from someone walking by our home a month ago. He was told that the unit was making dangerous noises and needed repair. Fact: the unit turns on and off to maintain a constant temperature for over 11 years, is routinely serviced and is in great working order.
The Association Board Member stated the individual who filed the report with him felt the unit, was in disrepair, had to report us and notify the association. The air conditioning unit is and has always been in good repair. What the anonymous person heard was the unit turning on and off after the desired internal temperature was reached.
We have had past dealings with this association when they tried to place historic designations on private homes without fully disclosing the ramifications of their actions or involvement of the association in the process.
The main issue was the rights of private property owner’s vs. those in the association who wanted to create a non-elected quasi-governmental body whose goal as per the historic district codes of New Rochelle would remove the rights of property owners granting the association the authority to dictate and fine property owners at will.
This unelected body of insiders who would operate southern New Rochelle as if it was a gated community and have the power to levy fines and liens. We stood with those in the community who realized what was being attempted and voted against them and the designation attempt.
In our opinion, this may be at the root of the latest anonymous reports against us.
So my questions for the TOTS community are:
What can or should a property owner do if it seems that false reports are being filed and when a pattern of neighbor harassment is beginning to emerge?
Do New Rochelle property owners have any rights that come with paying among the highest property taxes in the nation?
Is this yet another indication pointing to New Rochelle’s loss of civility, property rights, common sense, neighborhood and sense of community?
And should constituents have a right to expect their elected representative respond to inquiries made by their constituents?
Are we ready for another unelected branch of government in New Rochelle?
We ask ourselves, if we could choose any place to buy a home knowing what we know now, would we choose New Rochelle as it sinks further into the abyss?
Have we as individuals and a community sunk so low that we are now attacking each other?
Has New Rochelle lost its humanity?
We should have listened to my real estate broker who strongly advised us, time and time again NOT to buy a home in New Rochelle.
We really miss our former Councilman Michael Boyle who always returned calls and was willing to mediate and resolve issues. Many thanks to TOTS and my neighbors who were very helpful, supportive and suggested that we post our experiences.
PS: We contacted our district one council person several times via e-mail and telephone and he never got back to us.
PSS: The local association board member has also asked many times about the stones on the corner of our private property, placed there to protect the wall and home. With speeding cars that overturn and end up on lawns, we join our fellow homeowners in placing stones to protect private property and minimize damage from speeding cars. The irony is that the people who did not like the stones on my property have stones on their curb to protect sidewalk when trucks make u-turns.
PSSS: God Bless Bob Cox and Talk of the Sound.
Reference Links:
Part I: Nightmare on Stephenson Boulevard: New Rochelle Woman Describes Years of Torment and Harassment by Neighbors and New Rochelle Police Officers
Part II: Nightmare on Stephenson Boulevard: New Rochelle Woman Breaks Down After Two Years of Harassment by Neighbors and Police
Part III: Nightmare on Stephenson Boulevard: New Rochelle Woman Set Up and Knocked Down
Part IV: Nightmare on Stephenson Boulevard: Nefarious New Rochelle Neighbors Have Only Scratched the Surface
Part V: Nightmare on Stephenson Boulevard: The Dark End of the Street
Part VI: Nightmare on Stephenson Boulevard: The Stink Test
Part VII: Nightmare on Stephenson Boulevard: New Rochelle Court Issues Stunning Defeat for Patrick and Tracey Hickey in Five Year Long Battle with Neighbor