<p>I live in a nice, suburban neighborhood of single-family brick homes, and have been here more than 20 years. I suspect my neighbor (or most likely my neighbor’s kids or grandkids, who live with them) are dealing drugs or something. There are cars coming and going all the time and lately everyone except the people who live there are going in the back gate. The owners are in their mid to upper 70s and not in good health and not very mobile. I never see them outside, but a home health vehicle is there often and enters through the front door. At about 4:00 this morning, my dog wanted to go out and was barking at something. I looked out the window and saw a car with three people (men?) holding flashlights standing near the trunk of the car. It was too dark to see what they were doing or who they were. All these cars are parking right behind my driveway, and some even at my curb. Because many that I see are young men, I thought at first they were there to “visit” the granddaughter. Now I’m not so sure. Should I mind my own business or call the police? </p>
<p>I would call. Report suspicious activity, so police can check out the situation.</p>
<p>I would express my concern to the neighbors, and let them know you are concerned for their safety. If they seem puzzled by the activity, I would let them know that you were going to call the police just to be on the safe side.
Also if you havent already, keep a log of activity. Your area may have a local community officer who is already aware, but is looking for additional info.</p>
<p>You could just say that you are concerned about your elderly neighbors, and you have seen a lot of people coming and going from their home at strange hours. How long has it been since you have actually SEEN them? </p>
<p>I might add that I have always gotten along well with the owners of this house, and I feel sure the owners don’t know or approve what is going on. I’m also pretty sure if the police show up, the kids will suspect that I called them, even if I don’t call them, because I am really the only neighbor who can see all of this clearly. When the owners pass away, their kids will inherit the house and who knows what will happen then. </p>
<p>Good point, sylvan. I haven’t actually SEEN them in months, but I do see a Home Health vehicle over there pretty often. They go in the front door. :-S I work 8-5 M-F, but I come home for lunch every day. I see cars morning noon and night. Who knows what goes on when I am not here. I have been writing down the vehicles I see for the last week or so, but from my vantage point, I usually can’t see the license plate, just the side of the car.</p>
<p>I would maybe get security cameras for your own house. Does your area have much trouble with burglars?</p>
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<p>If drug dealing is actually going on by younger relatives in that house, this may not be very prudent as it could alert the dealers in concealing their activities and worse, possibly retaliate against the older relatives and OP. </p>
<p>Better find a local community officer to express such concerns and have him/her do an unexpected stopover out of concern for elderly neighbors. </p>
<p>Can you call the elderly ones to chat and see how they’re doing? And maybe mention the activity you see as an FYI in case they have some (?) explanation. Alternatively, can you catch the Aide on her way in our out one day and just ask in a neighborly way how they are doing, do they need anything etc. Maybe you can get her take on the home situation.</p>
<p>We have very little trouble that I know of. My neighborhood is only three streets (my street is two blocks long, but I am on the corner and the side street is a little longer.) No one really comes through here that doesn’t live here. Or at least they didn’t used to. I have a big dog who would probably lick someone to death, but he can be intimidating sometimes. I have a customer who is a police detective who is supposed to come to the office tomorrow for business purposes. I am debating whether I should mention this “unofficially.” </p>
<p>I’d be concerned for my safety. Years ago a dear friend was murdered when she was driving home from church one night and saw her neighbor’s car on the side of the road. She pulled over, because she thought the neighbor was having car trouble. Instead the neighbor was meeting someone to do a drug/money exchange. My friend was shot and killed when she approached the car.</p>
<p>I would chat with the police detective customer. Explain your situation and ask for advice on how to handle it best. This person should have good advice for you. </p>
<p>That is terrible, college_query! And scary, too. I know people who use drugs are not always rational, so that is why I am concerned. </p>
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<p>It isn’t just the users you may need to be concerned about. I’d be more concerned about the younger relatives who deal drugs and their suppliers as they’re not likely to have much scruples considering they’re engaging in highly dangerous criminal activity.</p>
<p>Lost a childhood classmate during our middle school years because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and found himself in the midst of a shootout between two rival drug dealing gangs.</p>
<p>Maybe it’s time for you to drop by to borrow a cup of sugar. </p>
<p>Unless they are big time drug dealers, I really doubt they have weapons. Most people aren’t that comfortable with guns, even criminals.</p>
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<p>One doesn’t necessarily need to be a big time drug dealer to have weapons. The drug dealer gangs who shot my elementary school classmate in a crossfire were considered very small-time dealers by police detective who investigated the case. </p>
<p>Moreover, due to the criminal nature of dealing with suppliers and handling large amounts of highly valued drugs and cash, weapons are par for the course.</p>
<p>Even the Main Line Prep school grad drug ring in Pennsylvania were caught with some weapons. </p>
<p>Also, considering the risk if one’s wrong, it’s better to assume they are armed and dangerous considering the occupation and characters who act as suppliers. </p>
<p>Are you kidding, Emeraldkity? The problem in America is that TOO MANY people are comfortable with guns. Seems like I read recently that 1 in 3 American households has at least one gun (I really should look that up, I know). Musicmom, the last thing I’d do is go over there to inquire about anything. A discreet heads-up to the local police dept. might be a good idea, however. They might be inclined to send around more frequent patrols, and/or look into the youthful activity centered around your elderly neighbor’s home.</p>
<p>I would definitely call the police. This happened to a friend of mine. Her neighbor was a builder and fell on hard times. One thing led to another and he became a drug dealer. The scenario sounds EXACTLY like what you describe, and worse, they were possibly cooking meth at the house. That can explode. Its very dangerous. Please- call the police. ANd I would assume they do have weapons.</p>
<p>No, call the authorities. Be safe!! I wouldn’t chance your safety. Take down license plates, makes/models of cars. Descriptions of the visitors & document the times. Show that there is a pattern. </p>