Threatened by a Neighbor After Recording Her Children
My question involves criminal law for the state of: WASHINGTON
I have loud and annoying racist neighbour (black woman) who hates me the day I moved to new condominium. She also has kids which she eggs on against me.
Last evening I noticed that kids played in parking lot, next to my car, something like "seek and hide". I started to watch them. Then I noticed they were sneaking too long next to my car. I came out to parking lot and observed my car, I noticed fresh scratch that I had not before. I started to take pictures, and video of my car. Those black kids were around ( they may got on video)
About 2 hours later their mother knocked to my door yelling and screaming, cursing and insulting me . She was mad that I made video (kids complained to her that I filmed them), she told me if I gonna film their kids again " she will kill me, kick my ass, beat me up ". She insulted me every possible way, made racist insults, that I should go back to China ( I am Asian, but not from China), called me f words, "b-ch", Chinese bi-ch almost broke my door when knocked it. I have witness neighbor He saw and hear it while he was on his parking spot.
I called the police. While I waited , her mother come to my door and started to threat me by jail (I recorded it). Police arrived, they did not make any arrest though. Just talk to me and them.
I recorder the 2nd part of their coming and give to police to listen. Police officer said I should be worried.
What should I do in this situation? How can I get a restraining order on this neighbour?
I will appreciate your answers and advice. Thank you
Re: Threatened by a Neighbor for Recording Her Children
You should avoid confrontations with your neighbor, and should avoid recording her children.
If the police officer told you that you should be worried about something, ask the officer for clarification of what he meant.
You have not yet stated facts that would support an order of protection.
Re: Threatened by a Neighbor After Recording Her Children
You can't get a protection order based on this incident. If she were to repeatedly harass and threaten you possibly. I'd also have asked the cop what he/she was talking about with that statement.
If you notice the kids have possibly damaged property don't record or photograph them. Call the police and file a report on the damage. Let them do their job and investigate it. Ignore the woman and her kids as much as you can. If they come to your property and won't leave, call the police.
Re: Threatened by a Neighbor After Recording Her Children
Thank you for answers.
However, police officer told me that recording someone else on camera/cell phone is not illegal.
I only wanted to protect my property(car). I had no intentions to record kids.
I actually am thinking kids may damage somehow my car in parking lot.
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Quoting
qwaspolk69
If you notice the kids have possibly damaged property don't record or photograph them. Call the police and file a report on the damage. Let them do their job and investigate it. Ignore the woman and her kids as much as you can. If they come to your property and won't leave, call the police.
OK, but if I dont take video, photos how can I prove they damage my car?
Re: Threatened by a Neighbor After Recording Her Children
There is no law that prevents people from being jerks. As mentioned, if this woman continues to harass you in similar ways, the acts might rise to the level of a criminal act. This one incident is not likely to be sufficient for either a restraining order or any criminal charges. Clearly the police did not think a crime had occurred.
You might want to consider setting up a camera to record the common area where your car is parked. If there is damage in the future, you might get lucky and capture it.
In the long run, do all you can to avoid this woman and her kids if you can.
Re: Threatened by a Neighbor After Recording Her Children
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Quoting
JuliaT
Thank you for answers.
However, police officer told me that recording someone else on camera/cell phone is not illegal.
I only wanted to protect my property(car). I had no intentions to record kids.
I actually am thinking kids may damage somehow my car in parking lot.
OK, but if I dont take video, photos how can I prove they damage my car?
That's not your job to prove a crime was committed. You just report the crime and the police investigate. Then turn it over to the prosecuting attorney. Then that attorney (county attorney or DA) will decide whether or not to file charges.
If you can set up cameras on your residence then do so. If the camera is at an angle to catch where your car is parked then do it. Then just avoid her and her kids. Let the police handle it. Otherwise if you keep letting them get to you, you're gonna end up doing something that you regret or gets you in trouble.
Re: Threatened by a Neighbor After Recording Her Children
Quote:
Quoting
qwaspolk69
You can't get a protection order based on this incident. If she were to repeatedly harass and threaten you possibly. I'd also have asked the cop what he/she was talking about with that statement.
If you notice the kids have possibly damaged property don't record or photograph them. Call the police and file a report on the damage. Let them do their job and investigate it. Ignore the woman and her kids as much as you can. If they come to your property and won't leave, call the police.
I don't quite understand how to claim damage, I am pretty sure those fresh scratches made by her kids. I already called the police, but they did not do much . Officer gave me his card, I called him and left message. Nobody called me back.
Another concern, they (kids or other members of her family) may come again and do something to my property, I already start to notice some suspicious things near to my car ( like sharp stones under the car wheel). Honestly I am scared.
Quote:
Quoting
JuliaT
I don't quite understand how to claim damage, I am pretty sure those fresh scratches made by her kids. I already called the police, but they did not do much . Officer gave me his card, I called him and left message. Nobody called me back.
Another concern, they (kids or other members of her family) may come again and do something to my property, I already start to notice some suspicious things near to my car ( like sharp stones under the car wheel). Honestly I am scared.
If does not qualify for criminal low, can I do civil claims for damages?
Re: Threatened by a Neighbor After Recording Her Children
Quote:
Quoting
JuliaT
I don't quite understand how to claim damage, I am pretty sure those fresh scratches made by her kids. I already called the police, but they did not do much . Officer gave me his card, I called him and left message. Nobody called me back.
Another concern, they (kids or other members of her family) may come again and do something to my property, I already start to notice some suspicious things near to my car ( like sharp stones under the car wheel). Honestly I am scared.
If does not qualify for criminal low, can I do civil claims for damages?
Yes you can always take someone to civil court and file a civil suit. It doesn't mean you'll win - but you can sue anyone you want. But don't expect payment. Just because it's court ordered doesn't mean you'll get the money.
You can post up cameras where allowed - but if you see them in the act don't bother with them. Call the cops immediately. I just wouldn't spend my time playing detective.