What do I do about my neighbors?

Make an anonymous call to the police. You do not want these people to know it was you if they are drug dealers and dangerous. I would not use any phone associated with you. Go to a phone booth if you can find one now a days and report suspicious drug activity.

Yes. I’d go to a phone booth (as if they can’t trace the location) and call them. Even more anonymous is to send them a letter. If you call them they ACT like they don’t know your location like they want to keep you on the phone for a reason. If they get a letter, to the narcotics division, they will never be able to trace it.
Or, you could walk into the police station so you’ll be certain you’re heard.

I don’t think going to the police will do any good because there is no real proof. Police have been to their house before and nothing happens.

You could call CPS if you are worried about them harming their children. CPS would do an investigation. They may or may not come up with anything, but you could try.

You should talk to your parents (or who you live with) and see if they have the same concerns. Unfortunately, if you’re 13 an anonymous phone call to the police department would probably be taken as a prank. Ask the people you live with if they’ve noticed the same patterns.

Trust your instincts but also understand there may be other explanations.

I have had to do this before. Simply call your district police office (don’t call 911 because it’s not an emergency) and tell them that you have noticed that your neighbors seem to have a constant stream of visitors who stay less than a few minutes and leave.

With the number of meth labs that are popping up these days in the suburbs, better to be safe than sorry. The last thing you want is the house next door to you blowing up.

Here is what i have advised next door neighbors for years: two things…........

Write down the license plate numbers and description of “visiting cars”.

If you have a video recorder, tape the vehicles and people coming in and out of that house.

This has a two-fold purpose, once you have the evidence and have contacted the police.

Detectives will run auto plate registrations and view your video of the visiting people. once an ID has been established on a wanted person visiting next door, the police will make an arrest and obtain more information about your neighbors, from the arrested party.

The police cannot operate without the help of its citizens. you undoubtedly have a next door problem, so become involved. you can meet the officers at a different location than your house and give them the info you have collected.

@john65pennington Would the person that did all of that be called as a witness at a trial if it came to that?

^^^^^^^^ GQ , Chyna!!!

When I called on my neighbors, the police ended up doing a few day’s surveillance in unmarked cars, came with a search warrant, arrested the neighbors. The only contact I had was with a plainclothes officer, who came to my house in an unmarked car, sat on my front porch for about 15 minutes and chatted with me, and went away.

Our neighborhood is part of a block watch program, and pretty much all we have to do is call the station and say that something’s going on that doesn’t seem right and why we don’t think it’s normal, and they take care of it. Neighbors call about all sorts of things – it’s kept our crime rate low in neighborhood.

@john65pennington – so your advice, as a former police officer, is for a 13 year-old to set up surveillance on their neighbors and keep track of who visits?

What could go wrong? Can I set up cameras on my neighbors as well, just in case? How long should she spy on her neighbors before calling the police? Is two weeks long enough?

Basically two questions

Is it appropriate for someone to recommend that a minor put themselves in a potentially harmful position to help a possible criminal case?

Is it appropriate to set up surveillance on your neighbors, couldn’t that potentially be an invasion of privacy and a crime in itself?

Chyna, no. this is why the evidence gathered is so important. to recognize a wanted a criminal visiting the house and using that criminals arrest to gather more information on the people next door. there is always a way to keep citizens out of a situation. we just need the key to open the door.

I was not aware that this question was submitted by a teenager. second, anyone can take photos of anyone, as long as they are standing on the public street.

Would taking pictures from inside your own house be okay, too? Just curious.

Oh, never mind – I just figured out the photograph-ee would be standing on the public street. Sorry!

LLewis, yes, BUT when the tape is viewed in court, the suspects may identify the location the videos were taken, by the surrounding scenery. the main object is to make an identification of a wanted person, visiting the drug house. the police can take it from there.

Keep a fll record of the arrivals, including license plate numbers, and then notify the local police department. Ask for the name of an officer or detective who will be handling your case.

We can’t do it without your help! By working together we can be more effective in the detection of illegal drug activity in your neighborhood. Our Narcotics Hotline number is (386) 671–5454 and your link to the police officers who investigate the sale, use and manufacture of illegal drugs. The information you provide about suspicious activity is an important factor in our ability to successfully investigate the people responsible for supplying dangerous drugs in your neighborhood. Your tips may be anonymous, or you may speak with one of our staff.

Nowhere does it say you need to videotape or photograph your neighbors.