Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

I own a home; in my neighborhood, which is very quiet, we have one neighbor who is a constant public nuisance. The police are constantly called and nothing is done. Several neighbors have gotten together to file complaints with the city attorney but they haven't done anything. This person is stealing from dozens upon dozens of people...mostly bicycles, scooters or yard tools that are in someone's yard. It has been witnessed by several people and yet he is never arrested. He doesn't own the home he lives in. It was his parent's home and both of them have just recently passed. His sister now lives in the home and he appears to live in the garage. The screaming fights that they have are heard up and down the street and happen at least 1-3 times a week. He also threatens to kill any neighbor who happens to be outside while this is going on. I have 3 small children and I worry constantly about them. What can I legally do?


Asked on 11/13/13, 12:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

From your Zip code, looks like Vallejo ...... given the city's financial condition, the city attorney is probably understaffed and overworked, and the police as well. Unfortunately, taking private action, while theoretically possible, would be expensive, time-consuming and possibly dangerous, not to mention perhaps difficult to enforce your judgment. I have two suggestions: (a) renew (or keep up) your pressure on the police and city attorney to take some action, including having personal meetings (with perhaps two or three different neighbor families represented) with the highest officials who'll agree to speak with you. Finally, consider whether you might have another enforceable complaint re housing/zoning violations if someone is living in a garage.

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Answered on 11/13/13, 2:15 pm


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