<p>One thing to keep in mind for folks who have their heads in the sand, IF a property is being used for illegal drug deals, it CAN be confiscated, even if the people who owned the house were NOT the ones peddling or using the drugs. It is one of the ways to discourage the peddling of illegal drugs and fund enforcement. I know an US Attorney who has gotten a LOT of money for the federal government through these confiscations.</p>
<p>OP, when my mom was quite elderly, and lived in a “senior” condo complex, her neighbor became incapacitated, and a host of people moved into the small apartment next door to mom to “care” for her. One of them was the granddaughter, who my mom knew for some years (and also was not favorably impressed by). Mom had a lot of complaints in terms of what was going on, but she did not suspect drugs that I know of. (Who knows.) I think when the neighbor died, they all got kicked out. I would be unhappy if this were going on across the street from my house. Back in our old neighborhood the kids across the street were troublemakers and police came on occasion. I don’t know who called (for all I know it was my parents since they were unhappy with the noise and traffic). Eventually those kids moved out, so I guess the traffic died down. I think drug dealers are scary, but I would be more scared that they are doing business under my nose than in going to the police.</p>
<p>There has been no activity since Saturday afternoon, that I know of. I did not talk to the police until Monday afternoon, so I don’t think that had anything to do with the sudden change. I am very glad for things to be back to normal. If the police are patrolling more, I have not seen them.</p>
<p>As soon as I made the last post, I left for work. There was a pickup parked outside with three people, including the Gdtr in the passenger seat. She was bending over straight forward while seated in the truck. It looked like she was throwing up. But the other occupants seemed to be ignoring her. The driver was a middle-aged man and he stared at me a while as I backed out of my driveway. Guess it’s been quiet over there because the Gdtr has been gone.</p>
<p>OP, clearly your neighbors have lost some controls over the goings on with their granddaughter and their children. Though, yes, there may be illegal activities happening there, it’s also highly likely that you just now have unsavory neighbors who hang around people that are lowlives. Whether they deal in contraband and/or illegal actviities, may not be provable, but even if they do not, just their coming around makes for uneasiness. They may have night jobs, be night people, so, yes, in that case flashlights are essentials for them, especially if they are used to going to places that have inadequate street lighting. I used to keep several flashlights in my car, including a rather powerful searchlight thingy because I’d be picking up my son from all over the place at night and I did not want to trip when I got out of the car to ring the door bell of homes. Those who live off the beaten track, can be in just about complete darkness, and I needed the lighting. So that is not the thing.</p>
<p>The most important thing is that your neighbor is ok. I wouldn’t go by the home health care visits. I have had home health care coming by, and my MIL could have been kept shackled in the basement for all they cared. They dropped off supplies and that was it. My DH’s uncle gets regular oxygen delivery, and they don’t bother to check how he’ doing either. So, yes, it’s important to know that they are not being held hostage in the house. My guess is that they are just no longer in the shape to run things the way they used to do, so the familiy members are taking full advantage. These are the people that they hang around. Hate to say this, but get used to it. Unless and until they get caught doing something afoul of the law and locked up, they’ll be hanging around. Even if they get in trouble, it’s tough getting them locked up for any length of time. They’ve found a comfy place to hang around now that the elderly neighbors are not so active at beating them away. </p>
<p>So, yes, extra police patrols are nice, but I think these new friends will be around a lot and not much anyone can do about it. I would take some extra security measures with these types of people that are hanging around.</p>
<p>Or granddaughter could have been snorting a line. </p>
<p>^^agree that tempemom may have the idea. If she had been throwing up, I doubt it would be in the car. The bushes, more likely. </p>
<p>That thought did cross my mind, TempeMom, which makes me want to throw up.</p>
<p>Good call informing the police. We have a couple of close friends on two different police departments and the detective’s response sounds spot on. Seeing a black and white cruise the neighborhood once in awhile can be a great deterrent. </p>
<p>Resist the urge to look their way. Go on about your business and observe only from the safety of your house when they don’t see you. If you are driving slow and staring at them while exiting your property it is going to raise their suspicions of you. Not worth putting yourself in danger.</p>
<p>Whoever it was that said people don’t like guns, not even criminals needs to get out more. Most criminals, especially those dealing in narcotics are armed. They don’t do silly things like get them legally or register or anything like that. Those without guns will be armed with something else.</p>
<p>I know this way of thinking is probably contradictory to most, but I don’t think the Gdtr and her friends will mess with any of the houses (burglary, etc) in the immediate area because that would most certainly get the police called. In a way, that would be like a dog pooping in his kennel and messing up his happy home. OK. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part. Some more cars there tonight. Seldom the same car twice in the two weeks that I’ve been paying attention.</p>
<p>When we had houses peddling illegal drugs in our neighborhood, we were having LOTS of burglaries and even robberies. Be vigilant but discreet. Good that you’ve alerted the police to patrol more frequently</p>
<p>Our neighborhood was eventually able to rid ourselves of the drug peddlers by everyone calling in suspicious behavior, and thefts greatly reduced. </p>
<p>Musicmom, yes, it’s wishful thinking on your part. Most dogs poop in their own neighborhood. These people are doing the same and stats heavily show that those who cause harm do so in surroundings that they get to know. The chance are very high when broken into , that it’s someone who has had some view and knowledge of your house. You absolutely are not as safe as you used to be. Take security measures for yourself. I have a feeling that you immediate neighborhood atmosphere has changed.</p>
<p>When I rented a house temporarily some years ago, one of the families in the neighborhood had a kid that was a problem. All sorts of things, like thievery and vandalism, cats disappearing started to happen. He was finally caught breaking into a neighbor’s shed with friends, very much by sheer chance. I moved shortly after that, but found out that it was one big crime wave there after that. Horrible. Yes, he and his friends poached on all of the neighbors. Oddly just the next street up was untouched. That now man knew the configurations of a lot of the yards and homes from when he was a kid and having gone in there, could see the activities easily like people packing a van for vacations or looking like they are going out for an evening and strike. </p>
<p>So get that idea out of your head that you are safe from these people. With all that traffic, it would be tough to figure out which of the low life made the strike at your house too. IGet some cameras up, get some security info and bids for some system. </p>
<p>Agree 100%. ^^^</p>
<p>^^Yes.</p>
<p>I recently found a large branch broken on the back of my lilac bush where it rests against the house. At first I though it was deer damage, but why would a deer shove itself between a lilac and a brick wall? It also happens to be in front of a low window and now I’m wondering if someone was trying to break in. It doesn’t hurt to wonder about these things - before they happen.</p>
<p>The being isolated from other neighbor’s views works against you as is works for the potentially not law abiding g daughter.</p>
<p>OP here with an update. The situation seems to have stopped as quickly as it started. I think the granddaughter is gone. No one is going in and out the back gate any more and no cars coming and going all the time. That being said, I looked up this morning and there were three police cars in front of their house. The officers left without taking any prisoners 8-| so I don’t know what was going on. There were no other cars there at the time besides the grandparents’ and the son’s, so whatever it was just involved family. Maybe someone accidentally called 911. I am grateful to have my peaceful neighborhood back again.</p>
<p>Which reminds me of an incident a couple of years ago at my office. Two police officers walked in the door asking us if we were okay. We, of course, said yes. They said someone had called 911 from our office. They looked around like maybe we were being forced to say everything was ok, but then started to leave. There were only three of there at the time and we were positive we had not called 911. I asked what phone number the call came from, and it turned out to be from our FAX machine! </p>
<p>Glad to hear the situation changed! That’s really strange.</p>
<p>One time I let my toddler play with the phone, and a couple of minutes later, the phone rang - it was 911! Somehow my son managed to call them??</p>
<p>I accidentally called 911 once. I was accustomed to dialing from the office, which required 9 prefix. But I was at home and realized my error and quickly hung up (or so I thought). Then in my haste I must have double-pressed the 1 key. Crazy…couldn’t repeat that sequence if I tried. Alas, I didn’t figure that out until many hours of worry after the police left. </p>
<p>when phones are locked the only keys that work are 911</p>