topic Re: I Need Your Advice in Community Chat

I Need Your Advice

Anonymous032819 — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:34:19 GMT

First, I consider you fine ladies to be smarter than I am, and I have a dilemma and am not sure if what I should do.

I know what I want to do, but I don't know if it's what I should do, or the right thing to do.

First off, I cannot afford to move right now.

There is an ally that runs behind my house, with a vacant lot next to me.

The homeless have been camping out in the vacant lot. Today they decided to park two old motor homes in the alley. It is illegal to block an alley. I looked it up.

I called the non-emergency police number to report it.

An officer did show up, and told them to move, and then he left. Needless to say, they are still there.

What should I do?

What would you do?

Should I keep calling until they are moved on?

I don't want to get into trouble for constantly calling about the same problem, but what if there's an emergency, and an emergency vehicle can't get down alley because of these motor homes are blocking the alley?

Believe me, if I could afford to move, I would, but I can't.

I want to thank all of you in advance for your advice!

Re: I Need Your Advice

Mary Bailey — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:30:45 GMT

Maybe they have a time frame to move, a day or two

I'd definitely call again, say I know police visited them, but they are still here....

I'd keep calling until they are gone

Re: I Need Your Advice

colleena — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:33:20 GMT

@Anonymous032819 I'm not sure but is there an online form through the police department that you could fill out w/all that you wrote here so that there would be a written record. Hoping others have better ideas for you & good luck.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Lucky Charm — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:36:35 GMT

I would call the number again and tell them of your valid concerns and that you wish the officer(s) to make sure this time they leave the premises before the officer leaves.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Etoile308 — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:37:46 GMT

Who is the property owner of the vacant lot? If there is a homeless encampment then there may be sanitation issues. Do you have a local council member or ward person for your area? Contact their office to discuss the issue. And mention your vehicle has already been broken into. I assume you are a senior living alone. Relay your safety concerns about the situation.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Kachina624 — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:39:31 GMT

@Anonymous032819 There's nothing wrong with continuing to call until the problem is fixed. If the police were doing their jobs, they'd follow-up to see that the things were moved from your alley. I guess they're depending on you to do it for them. This is a fairly serious infraction.

Squeeky wheel gets the oil.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Lucky Charm — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:40:24 GMT

@Etoile308 wrote:
Who is the property owner of the vacant lot? If there is a homeless encampment then there may be sanitation issues. Do you have a local council member or ward person for your area? Contact their office to discuss the issue. And mention your vehicle has already been broken into. I assume you are a senior living alone. Relay your safety concerns about the situation.

Yes to all of the above. Why didn't I think of that?

Re: I Need Your Advice

Janey2 — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:42:41 GMT

Is your house the only house being affected by this or do you have neighbors who are now in your situation? If you have neighbors go talk to them. See if you can act as a group. I would call the police one more time to try to get help. If this does not work I would get in touch with a local politician, sometimes they will help. Good luck.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Goldengate8361 — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:43:28 GMT

I would just keep calling the police everyday until they move. Maybe some organizations that help homeless people would have some ideas....they might know how to talk to the homeless people in such a way that they could help them find a better place to go.

Re: I Need Your Advice

RoughDraft — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:43:59 GMT

Add to your phone list the state senators and congressmen/women, local politicians, especially those running for re-election (like the Governor's office). Possibly contacting your local TV stations and news papers.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Kachina624 — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:53:41 GMT

@Anonymous032819 Didn't you once say there was a restaurant behind you? Is that on the alley? Restaurants frequently have fires so that could be serious if fire trucks were unable to get to it. You might call the fire department and discuss with them.

Re: I Need Your Advice

elated — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:13:06 GMT

I would keep calling the police until it is resolved. Also, call the city building department and see if you can find the owner of the vacant lot. I know this is not a popular piece of advice but I would consider buying a gun. If you live alone, you need to protect yourself. Many homeless people are mentally ill or drug addicts.

Another way to get a big dog. They say the barking of a dog deters people from entering your home. I wish you the best and don't give up until a resolution is done.

You might want to contact the local news station, if nothing is happening.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Sage04 — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:13:28 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Anonymous032819 Didn't you once say there was a restaurant behind you? Is that on the alley? Restaurants frequently have fires so that could be serious if fire trucks were unable to get to it. You might call the fire department and discuss with them.

Was that the Caribbean Restaurant? Jerk Chicken.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Sage04 — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:16:17 GMT

@Anonymous032819 I know you are renting but keep calling. Your car was broken into recently. If it were your property I would say you should put up at least two flood lights and that just might deter them. Those flood lights can do wonders.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Marp — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:18:07 GMT

@Anonymous032819, I was going to make the same suggestion @Kachina624 did, call the fire department and tell them about the blocked alley and apparent lack of follow up by the police department.

If there is a restaurant in immediate proximity to your house and the vehicles stress that you are always afraid of a fire at the restaurant and the vehicles would hinder access in an emergency.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Katcat1 — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:20:47 GMT

When there is a will, there is a way. MOVE. Sounds like it's a tough area. Yes, I would call the police and tell them no one moved and you do not want them blocking the alley.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Kachina624 — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:23:03 GMT

@Marp wrote:
@Anonymous032819, I was going to make the same suggestion @Kachina624 did, call the fire department and tell them about the blocked alley and apparent lack of follow up by the police department.

If there is a restaurant in immediate proximity to your house and the vehicles stress that you are always afraid of a fire at the restaurant and the vehicles would hinder access in an emergency.

@Marp I think the fire department may take this more seriously than the police who think they have bigger fish to fry.

Re: I Need Your Advice

luvzchiz — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:39:24 GMT

@colleena wrote:
@Anonymous032819 I'm not sure but is there an online form through the police department that you could fill out w/all that you wrote here so that there would be a written record. Hoping others have better ideas for you & good luck.

@colleena's suggestion is a very good one. You need a paper trail that might be emails, online forms or whatever. I would also send follow up email after reporting the problems.

I am sorry that you, @Anonymous032819 are having these problems. A home whether owned or rented should be a place of safety. Good luck and please let us know how you do.

Re: I Need Your Advice

Anonymous032819 — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:31:07 GMT

Well, the motor homes are gone (for now). But if/when they return, I'll call again.

Once again, thank you for all of your advice!

Re: I Need Your Advice

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:32:09 GMT

Why do you think they may return?