Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania

Group Homes in Neighborhood

I live across the street from 2 group homes. I think there are 2-3 residents in the home. They are adults but have the mental capacity of 5 year olds. The one guy is very violent (always yelling thoughout the neighborhood that he's going to kill someone, etc. The other is deaf and dumb and can only communicate by yelling. The aids don't bother to take the yeller in the house when he goes on his tantrums. The police have been called numerous times and they tell us that we have no rights and the residents have all the rights. I call it disturbing the peace, but the cops tell us there is no recourse that we have other than filing a civil complaint. My property values have surely dropped, my taxes are going towards paying for these homes, but I have no rights??? In the warm weather, I can't sit outside because of all the screaming, yelling, etc. Many other neigbors have called the cops on several occassions, but the cops say their hands are tied. For awhile, I was dealing with a resident that enjoyed standing on the front porch exposing himself, and I was also told by the cops they couldn't do anything. Where are my rights in all of this and what can I do so I can live peacefully. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.


Asked on 10/09/07, 5:03 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Gibson John W. Gibson, Esquire

Re: Group Homes in Neighborhood

I don't know if there is much in the way of options here. It sounds like you are doing everything that you can to deal with the problems as they arise. I suggest that you and your neighbors might want to start attending local government meetings to complain about the problems.

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Answered on 10/20/07, 2:50 pm


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