So, I’ve had terrible neighbors for a while- loud music, leaving ruts in my yard, shot fireworks off in my driveway when I was on vacation, treating my neighborhood road (speed limit of 15mph) like a drag strip, and most recently, scattering trash all over the neighborhood. Their dogs that they do not keep contained got into their trash bags that they left in their driveway and scattered it across the neighborhood before Christmas. They still haven’t picked it up. Every time they put a trash bag outside it gets worse. My street looks like a landfill. Obviously, this behavior is not OK. Here’s where I may be the asshole.
Yesterday, the mother of the family (about 50 years old and able bodied) was sitting on the porch. I yelled from my driveway, as I didn’t want to go near their three large dogs, “Please pick up your trash! It’s pretty inconsiderate of you to spread it all over the neighborhood!” She just smiled and nodded.
This morning, the adult son was angry because I brought it up to his mom instead of to him (how the hell am I supposed to know who’s in charge of the chores in your house?) and said that I SHOULD PICK UP THE TRASH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THROW IT BACK IN THEIR YARD INSTEAD OF THEM JUST PICKING UP THEIR TRASH. I told him I’m not going out of my way after a 12 hour shift (I work 60 hours a week) to find the person he thinks it’s appropriate to say something to, nor am I going to throw trash back in their yard so the wind and dogs can spread it all over again.
I feel like I’m living in bizarro world. The cops won’t do anything because we live in the county and my particular county somehow doesn’t have laws regarding littering.
So, AITA for telling my neighbors to pick up their trash?
NTA of course. But you have a bigger problem, what are you going to do about it now?
There must be some bylaw about keeping a tidy property…like for property value and stuff?
If not, and there truly is no issue with someone littering all over the street, then you’re limited.
1 – Ignore
2 – Pick it up
3 – Talk to them (not yelling across the driveways) and ask for a solution. YOu can be empathetic (must be frustrating to see your dogs have spread out all your garbage) but we all share space here and would you please pick up after your dogs?
If they don’t co-operate, go back to 1 and 2.
Unfortunately, I’ve tried 3, multiple times. This isn’t the first time we’ve had this problem. I called the sheriffs office this morning and they were not helpful at all. They said they might send a deputy out if other people complain, and since they weren’t really actively throwing things out of their car it doesn’t count as litter.
>They said they might send a deputy out if other people complain, and since they weren’t really actively throwing things out of their car it doesn’t count as litter.
How does multiple people complaining change anything? It’s either something they can do something about, or it isn’t something they can do something about it. The number of complaints does not change the nature of the complaint.
They’re law enforcement. They’re not going to come out if they can convince you to go away, which is what they’ve done.
You need to be persistent.
I had to call police every day for weeks to get them to ticket a guy that was parking overnight with the nose of his car in an intersection.
Not at all. You are doing the right thing, if they want to scatter rubbish, do it inside their own house why making your life a nuisance. Hope your neighbours understand and keep the neighbourhood clean.
NTA, these people sound awful.
Are you in the US? I’m pretty sure every state has anti-littering laws, and counties can’t just opt out. If the local PD isn’t willing to do anything about it, start reaching out to other government departments (county council, state depart of land and natural resources, etc) and asking who to talk to about it.
Yeah, I’m in the southern US. I’ll research who else I can talk to besides our famously lazy sheriff.
Everyone has someone they answer to, including your lazy sheriff. Good luck OP!
NTA – but it’s time to get your point across.
* Call your local health department and ask if open garbage violates any local health ordinances
* If their dogs are outside without being leashed or fenced, talk to local Animal Control about possible violations of animal ordinances
* Find out if your local government has noise or fireworks ordinances that apply to your situation
* Ask your local police about better enforcement of the speed limit on your street.
* Post a no trespassing sign on your property
I’m guessing that there will be local law/ordinances covering at least 2-3 of those situations. (The “no trespassing” should be a no-brainer in most jurisdictions.)
Figure out where/how to hold them responsible, then try again; they may respond differently…
Buy a burner phone.
Video their activities.
Use an anonymous account to make them internet famous.
Why? What will this do?
Social media, take pictures and post online. Dox them everywhere and to everyone. They should not be able to go anywhere without the whole community looking at them for the trash people they are.
Littering is a finable offense
Call code enforcement and the cops, if they won’t do anything report them to tye state and higher for environmental crimes, and fish and game for baiting in wildlife
If it’s on your property you may be able to sue them for trespass and damages. Also bring criminal charges, even Quam Ti? (In the mane of or behalf of) where you sue them for fines, and keep 90% if you win.