Crazy Neighbor, Need Advice

[Anonymous]

I live in Georgetown on a small street. One of my neighbors occasionally (once every 6 weeks or so) goes crazy on trash day. She runs up and down our alley and screams, pounds on doors, and threatens to "report us and make us pay" for failing to put our garbage out. (I am not exaggerating.)

We are nice, clean, civilized neighbors. Our garbage is in pails and not messy. She is simply crazy.

Should I call 311 and report this? I know her family through fundraising events and such, and thus am hesitant to make such an aggressive move, though the situation does scare me- I am afraid she is going to destroy property or something. I wrote a VERY nice letter and I could send that, but I don't know what the best move is.

Please advise or share your experiences! TIA

[Anonymous]

You say you know her family. Is she married? If so, could you talk to her husband or another family member?

[Anonymous]

Maybe I'm wrong but I've always been taught that you should not argue with crazy. You didn't mention her age or what interaction she's had with other neighbors. Is she an alcoholic? Does she have a mental illness? How does her family respond when she does this? Is she just doing this to you or to the other neighbors? I don't think confronting her will make it stop. If she's crazy she will just become more unhinged with a confrontation. As long as you or your kids aren't in any immedite danger I'd just ignore it. My friend's mom was an alcoholic and would get trashed every 4 days like clockwork. During that period we all knew to stay away and felt very sympathetic to her Dad and family who were trying their best to get her help. They were always very apologetic for her outbursts and I don't think calling the cops would've done anything to resolve the situation.

[Anonymous]

I would let it go. If you "report it" to the police, what is going to happen? It's going to be more of a nuisance to file a police report than to just say through the door "Okay, thank you!" And this woman is probably mentally ill. She doesn't need the police hassling her. It doesn't sound like it's that big of a deal, frankly.

[Anonymous]

*wiping tears from eyes* The imagery of your writing is just really, really funny. I'm sorry for your predicament.

[Anonymous]

Completely agree with PP who says not to argue with crazy.

[Anonymous]

Yeah do not argue. But when she does it I would call the cops and complain and be vague about some crazed person yelling in your G-town neighborhood (Im sure the cops would be prompt in that area...maybe Im wronng?) but then you remian anonymous and they can come to calm her ass down. Just call what can it hurt...if anything they keep a record of the disturbance. DH used to do it in our old neighborhood with neighbors who kept their dog out barking literally all day. They came and after about 6 calls they actually had animal services come get the dog.

Sorry for the side note but calling will do something.

[Anonymous]

I'm the OP: Thanks for the responses! It is a big deal, actually- she is a 45ish wife and mother, and if her family knew I'm sure they would be horrified. This morning, for example, she jumped out of her SUV at 7am in a suit and Manolos and ran up and down screaming on the street and was simultaneously ridiculous and terrifying.

She targets everyone on our block, not just me. I can't talk to her husband- I don't feel that I know him well enough. I think I may just call and make an anonymous complaint, so that when she does damage something in the future, it will be documented.

[Anonymous]

OP, you sound very discreet, I think. I'm sorry, but there really isn't much to say about this. Unless she really charges at you physically and puts you in fear, she's not violating the law. I know for a fact that if MPD happens to be trawling by (which they often do in Georgetown) she will be locked up for disorderly conduct for behaving that way in public. The main thing you must remember is that you must remain absolutely CALM in her presence. I had a neighbor like this when I was single years ago. Don't take her on. She will drag you down with her.

[Anonymous]

Definitely call the police (discreetly). I agree that you cannot confront her because she may target you specifically for her outbursts and rage. But, having her know to the police is probably the best thing for her b/c if may force her family to confront her behavior and it might stop her (possible) mental illness from escalating.

[Anonymous]

Is it legal to videotape her discreetly during one of her outbursts? Is it legal to show this video to police at the station?

Do not engage with her, obviously - it could be dangerous.
I would call police AND talk to the husband. Who cares if you don't know him? All the better if you are going to have such an awkward conversation, no? You can't live in fear for ever, and frankly, I would be scared for my 2 children living so close to such a demonstrative inadequately treated mental patient.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't know you or your neighbor. Honestly, I feel a HUGE piece is missing from your post. Could you be minding her business too much? Unless she is a threat to herself or someone else, let it go.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I am not sure what the big deal is. Sounds like she is just pissed off about something. Is she foreign? Some ethnic groups (myself included) can have "outbursts" when they are angry that are probably seen as "crazy" by americans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I am not sure what the big deal is. Sounds like she is just pissed off about something. Is she foreign? Some ethnic groups (myself included) can have "outbursts" when they are angry that are probably seen as "crazy" by americans.

No, no, no. That kind of lazy generalization undermines the notion of tolerance. I do not know of one "ethnic group" that, as a whole, is more volatile than the others.

[Anonymous]

Seriously, if people are to be arrested for getting out of their SUV wearing expensive shoes and yelling occasionally you'll have to arrest dozens of people in my neighborhood--20015 I'm not a yeller but I lost it about a month ago and violently swung a branch at my own Supercan. I'd hate to be judged based on that. Hell, even if I did that every 6 weeks ( I don't), I'd hate to be judged because of that.