What do they say about the squeaky wheel???

By doing nothing, the niece is enabling this situation so she could be held culpable should a lawsuit be filed. Since law enforcement won't do anything, perhaps it's time to go different routes; TV, lawyer, etc.

Neighbor (part of my detective agency) called me at 6:30 am very apologetic. I was already awake, watching news in bed, but not dressed. Two police cars at the empty house WITH a young man sitting on the curb being questioned. They made him turn his pockets out, take off his shoes etc. One cop went through the front gate (which is constantly open every morning now and seems to close itself about an hour later) and he walked around the house.

They 'detained' the young guy for about 1/2 hour just sitting and talking. Then finally let him go. He walked up the block. He tossed something, maybe a piece of paper, over the fence towards the trash cans as he left. Probably they told him to, but not sure as he had to actually detour from the sidewalk about 10 feet to do it. So at least the police ARE watching that house now.

I saw two cars last night too, just kinda circling slowly every so often. Might have something to do with my report on the 'fix it' site about that pick up truck and trailer out front for 2 months now. Some guy parks it and walks off after disabling something under the hood. I think he lives on the next street behind mine and can see that parking spot from his 2 story condo. Makes sense. He moved it once for 2 days and then right back to the 'favorite' spot. It's illegal for more than 3 days but nobody cares or knows the law. I just hate it when people take advantage and nobody complains. The 'fix it' site is anonymous if you want and they actually check out the reports and do something. Easier than calling in.

Someday they will actually arrest someone there I HOPE! At least this is a good day.

It probably was just some neighborhood guy walking (we have a load of walkers) and saw all the trash cans overflowing with stuff and was looking in them. Very attractive nuisance. Wish someone would just get those out of there. 5 full cans with 'things' visible that Bad Gal threw out. Broken clocks, paperwork from the 'life' of poor old guy. Lots of unopened mail, etc. Who knows what the guy was trying to find.

Going to watch today to see if they tag that 'abandoned' truck. Hope they locate the owner or just tow the stupid thing. It really blocks my view of the house and I can't see if anyone is jumping the fence. I think one cop re-set the front gate and it's closed again. It won't last long.

My fellow detective lady and I will be walking over later to inspect the 'scene'. I'll take a pic of the trash as it appears now and see if the back door is open again. Someday, there will be someone to prosecute and I will have the pictures and FILE to tell the court everything they need to know.

Been too busy to update but:

After the police left Wednesday, and let the kiddo go, I walked over and saw the state of the house and yard. Trash cans tossed out, 2 of them missing totally with lots of 'stuff' all over the driveway area. Radios, toaster, packages of unopened clock faces and humidity gauges, etc. Also a slew of little paper packets that contain(ed) watch parts. Guess the kid was sorting through a lot of stuff. There was also a fresh bottle of water, and a huge Big Gulp sitting there. Either the 'thieves' took the cans full of goodies, or they are in the house now being loaded.

Sooooo a few hours later, I see a man and woman walk over the to fence, look and chat and so I decided to walk over to see if they were neighbors and could fill them in on stuff, or they fill me in. Turns out, as I walked over, there was a Hazmat truck. They were Hazmat reps. I chatted a bit, then 2 police cars drove up.

After lots of questions back and forth I found out: Hazmat had been CALLED by the old guy's niece to see they could 'do anything' about the problems. She had contacted my favorite guy, Brad, but he was off that day so he sent Dave. Dave is also nice. AND the police told me that the niece called THEM! Wow. This was after I said good luck with getting her to respond (we had talked about all the stuff going on and they told me she prompted today's Hazmat/police look-see). Nice to know.

Also found out that she told them the Estate is NOT settled so there isn't much anyone can do right now. There must be some liens or disagreements in the family, or some claims by others (maybe Bad Gal or the Snake) that are holding up the settlement. We all discussed getting someone to nail that place shut again (better this time) and as usual, one of the police guys (who had made several trips there) suggested a 'fire' would solve the problem.

In the meantime, the Hazmat gal told me that when they first got there, she HEARD music playing inside and it stopped abruptly. She is sure someone is in there. I told her she was not hallucinating. So I talked loudly all about Bad Gal and all the stuff, hoping it was her or a friend who would tell her what I said. If so, she will be calling me soon to yell about me telling tales about her. Good if she does.

Anyway, police asked WHY the electricity is still on in there and we are pretty sure the niece is paying the bill and leaves it. So after weeks of all lights on, then a few off and then others on just the night before, THAT night, NO lights, nowhere, nothing, nada. Geez! Guess THEY heard us. So it's totally dark over there.

Only explanation is 'they' turned them off to hide, or crossing fingers that Hazmat contacted the niece and she called our power company and had the power cut. Hope it's door 2. Two nights now NO lights anywhere. Nothing moved on driveway, saw nobody anywhere, but I'm sure someone is inside or coming and going in the darkness. Her ex boyfriend (who I called) did what I suggested and went over at 2:30 am and rang Bad Gal's phone and listened to see if he heard it ringing inside the house. He KNOWS that house in and out. No ringing, but he says he HEARD footsteps going back and forth between windows in the living room as he walked back and forth on the sidewalk. Someone is definitely inside and aware we are watching.

Can hardly wait to see what favorite Hazmat Brad says when Dave reports to him. Maybe we will see another major caution tape thingy due to 'radium' that is in high levels STILL according to the Hazmat guy. Hope so. Lock up tight or burn. Don't care. Other option from the police is that they get the city involved and condemn the house and have it bulldozed. I like that one a lot.

Off to watch the 'non-action'.

Always entertaining Sorta!

Just got back from shopping and that 'suitcase' and duffle bag that sat outside the house near the fence is GONE! Was there Wednesday/Thursday/Friday and today I guess they collected their loot. Still waiting to see if anyone is inside. I'm betting YES.

Oh and I forgot to mention that the day I called cops about 2 people in the house and they actually caught them the next day and detained and questioned them and let them go and then they came back in a few hours and carted away a bunch of stuff, that THEY showed the cops that THEY had the KEY to the back door. This is the key to the knob that Bad Gal admits she put there. Uhhuh. So guess who gave them the key? Huh? Guess. Just cements what we all knew. Bad Gal is behind everything happening there. She was so adamant about 'those thieves stealing from poor old...' and it was she who gave them the access. Stupid stupid.

Can't wait till something positive happens. It's probably going to be Tuesday as my neighbor lady who watches with me is off to the Casino all day and I have a lunch 'date' with my teacher friends. So it's the perfect day for everything to happen and neither of us will be home to see it. Yup. We are predicting.

As many times the police and Hazmat have been called, you'd think one or both would do something to put an end of anyone needing to call them. There's been a lot of money spent by both on this house.

My first though for finding out whose around the house after dark is in using a well placed bear trap, or two. But it'd also find the good guys as well. Maybe a well trained dog who remains quiet until a certain point of approach has been reached.

Interesting thoughts Homer. I was thinking about installing some sort of horrible sounding alarm, but then the raccoons might trigger it too. An automatic light would be good, but the thieves would probably just steal it and then my 30 bucks would be wasted. I have a solar powered security light on my driveway entrance now, right where the transients like to potty. So far no more trouble and doesn't cost me electricity. Nice.

How about a moat with alligators for that house? Or a 12 foot barbed wire fence? Or we could call out the local military? Oh wait! That actually gives me an idea. We have 'Guardian Angels' around here. I wonder if they would consider it a worthy cause? I'm going to do some investigation.

It just makes me so mad that people can, in broad daylight, consistantly, carry away THINGS from a house, and the police can't or won't arrest them for stealing. Who cares if there is no one to complain who has 'authority'. It's still stealing. Just like looting I figure and we all know that most of the time, they just let the looters go because it's easier than catching or prosecuting them. Mad mad mad at all of this when the criminals KNOW that they can get away with it. Very bad way to run a city.

Still thinking about recontacting the lady on the side street and see if she will go to the TV stations.


NEW STUFF!!!! My neighbor just called about a power company truck parked on the side street. I got out my binoculars and saw a TAG on the front door (no oen has opened that door for 30 years or more) so when the truck left, She and I walked over and looked at the tag and it was from the power company and said "Your GAS meter has been turned OFF", AND then we walked around to the side where the electric meter is (one of those new fangled digital ones) and with the binoculars I could see it cycling from date to time to numbers and THEN miracle of miracles OFF!

So the Gas/Electric are OFF and now all we wait for is the water company to come and shut off the water which they will BOLT closed so it can't be turned on again. Oh joy! Things are finally finally happening. Wheeeeeee!

They may be interesting ideas Sorta, but doing any of those things and it'd be person setting up everything that would be arrested. You and I, and probably many more, are on the same page in that stealing is stealing, PERIOD. I know around here if someone is caught carting off something that doesn't belong to them it's theft.

Several months ago some people were helping themselves to some junk metal a guy had laying around on his property here in our community. Sheriff just happened to be hitting our area at that time and caught them. They were arrested and charged with a felony. And the funny this was when the sheriff talked to the owner the owner said they should have asked because he would have given it all to those guys. Now all of them have a felony arrest on their records.

Oh Homer, how I wish your police were HERE. Ours are just not wanting to do unnecessary paperwork. They KNOW there are thefts and break-ins but the DA won't prosecute a case where the 'owner' won't press charges. Guess if you die and leave a bunch of stuff in your house, it's FREE for anyone to come and take and constantly break in. Makes me so mad.

So this morning...at 2:30AM! Got a call from the caretaker guy (the one with the junkie exgirlfriend). He drives by on the way home from the bars or gambling and checks out the house. So he is walking by and just as he gets to the back door area (the only one that ever opens) he hears MALE voices and sees the screen security door opening (from the inside). He never saw anyone and was so scared he ran back across the street to his car and called 911. Oh dear. I've told him a bunch of times NOT to call 911 but to call the local non-emergency number. He doesn't listen due to some slight mental problems.

So I look out the window just in time to see 2 police cars leaving. He said they checked things out, refused to go inside even though the door was WIDE open and left it OPEN. I finally convinced him to leave 1/2 hour later so I could get some sleep. I went over this morning and the door was closed again. They are still in there probably.

Still stuff on the driveway from all the spilled trash cans, but some of it HAS been moved or taken. Different look. Guess they are shopping non-stop. I'm positive it's all his ex girlfriend's doing. She told everyone about this treasure trove and she gave them the key.

I can hardly wait to see what happens today. I'm sooooooo tired (sleepy too).

I was just thinking, do you know anyone who has a problem with a skunk? Perhaps they'd like to find it a new home.

The law enforcement around here make arrests when they witness a crime in progress. What happens afterward I couldn't say. I say law enforcement because while it might be a Sheriff officer it could also be the Highway Patrol or town police. Everything is spread so far and wide they help each other.

Homer,

I love your skunk idea! Maybe it could be done by finding someone who knows how to handle skunks; capture it, let it get into the house and scram! Gal pal would be out of there so fast-then everything in the house would be completely ruined and definitely cause to burn it. But, of course, the down side would be the lingering stench in the area for a while.

Sorta, Homer's idea could be done on the sly; who'd know? problem solved!

I seriously considered Homer's skunk solution. Then I worried that someone would hurt the poor innocent skunk. Awwww. Can't have that. I wonder if I could get my hands on a smoke thingy that you toss? Probably illegal. It could be lobbed directly under the house and the stench would go up through the hole in the floor that Bad Gal made. Oh the joy of thinking about people running out.

My other idea was to make a sign and put it at the corner, "FREE stuff. Just walk in and take what you want. Lots of good stuff, absolutely free.". I can just imagine the frenzy of everyone driving up and loading everything they can grab. That would for sure get the police here in a minute. Yup, a crowd of 'looters'. Probably would have the news media here too. Only problem would be that I'd be the one arrested for putting up the sign. I KNOW other people, besides me, watch the neighborhood doings. It would be just my luck to have been seen posting the free goodies sign.

OR...just file a lawsuit against the niece for enabling a nuisance. She is after doing nothing to put a stop to the trouble.

So the local city property taxes just got mailed. We can look them up on-line by address or plot number. I checked the empty house after he died and found that when it became an 'estate' they upped the incredibly low taxes (400ish a year) and they had assessed a 'supplemental' tax for the change (happens when you remortgage or change the names), of 800ish x 2, due by December 10 of this year. So far nobody has paid that one. Still waiting to see if it gets paid. THEN the new taxes for next year are 3000ish! Also 1/2 due by Dec 10 of this year. So add that all together and the 'estate' is going to have to pay just short of 5000 in property tax by February 10 of 2015. Wow. The 'regular' assessment is just shy of what I pay for my property which is 3 times as large and has 3 houses on it. Wonder why they have such a high assessment? That house is 1930's falling apart, termited, rotted, vandalized, etc. I think it might be because it's on a corner. Maybe double assessment for that?

In any case, out here, they have 5 years before the city will take the property (if you don't pay anything on the taxes). Guess we will be waiting a long time to see if this whole thing resolves itself. And I'm pretty sure, they owe for the two times it got boarded up (professionally albeit poorly), and maybe the multi-times Hazmat has been there doing stuff.

I'd love to SUE someone. Just don't want to do it all by myself. Oh, and the yard is now starting to grow HUGE tumbleweeds, which will eventually dry out, turn into fire hazards, etc. Can hardly wait to see what that will do.

Bad Gal still not in jail but any day now. Yup, they are looking for her. Too bad locking her up won't stop all this looting since she has told everyone she knows about this place.

Ouch, that's one hefty tax. Almost sounds like someone heard Estate and saw dollar signs. Some cities have regulations about letting a yard grow too tall. One of our local cities has a ordinance which allows them to mow a yard after a certain time period and charge the property owner. Does your city have something like this Sorta?

Ah yes we do have such ordinances. Trouble is getting the authorities to actually ACT on them. Same problem as the police refusing to arrest the looters.

We have places to call with complaints about overgrown yards, abandoned houses, illegally parked vehicles, trash on the sidewalks, missing or defaced traffic signs, dead animals, etc. They recently started a computer site where you can just type in the problem, anonymously if you wish, and eventually someone will look into the problems.

So I did that with an abandoned (well sort of) vehicle in front of the empty house. Truck and low trailer parked there for 2 months now (we have a 72 hour limit on our streets). You can park in front of your house as long as you use the car all the time, but not just leave junk cars on the street etc. So this guy parked his truck/trailer and walked off around the block. He came back a full month later, took the truck and returned 3 days later and parked right in the same spot. The second parking he actually walked UP my driveway, halfway to my tenant's houses (so I was a bit wary of his motives). Then he was off again in the same direction.

So I reported this parking problem after watching it for 2 months. Nothing has been done for 3 weeks now, but they eventually will do something. BUT last night, my friend told me to look at my 'report'. Seems someone doesn't like what I wrote, attacked my character, etc. It's either the guy who owns the truck, or the policeman who I had a tiff with (mr. supercop) or a neighbor who doesn't like me. Wording of the response is filled with 'key' words I can interpret well after 33 years of teaching English.

So today, I will read that response again and decide if I should complain to the 'moderator' of that law enforcement sponsored site about 'not playing nice'. There is a warning when you sign up about that. You are not supposed to 'flame' others who are trying to clean up the neighborhood. I should think they could quietly tell whoever is being grouchy to not make personal attacks. Oh and the real tip off: The writer referred to my listing and used the pronoun SHE! Nothing in my complaint indicates that I am female. Uhhuh. Probably someone around here who knows me or suspects it was me since I mentioned my security cameras being blocked by the vehicle's position.

Gonna be a fun day in Sorta's Neighborhood for sure! Loving it.

UPDATE: Truck and trailer went bye bye about 1 hour ago when I wasn't looking. Hope it stays gone. Now I'm pretty sure it was the guy who owns it that wrote the nastygram. If he comes back we shall declare war.

The city I spoke about is small, around 18-20 thousand. They don't have a problem taking care of yards which have overgrown. They'll notify the owner to clean up the yard or after so many days they will take care of it and bill the owner. Same thing applies to alleys. Owner is notified, and after so many days that area gets cleaned up and the owner billed.

It doesn't make much sense to have an ordinance if it isn't upheld. Either things are dealt with under the ordinance or the ordinance should be repealed.

Yup, our town isn't that small unfortunately and has been deluged by political and fiscal problems. Everyone who was 'good' left for better places and now we have not much in the way of those few who really care. Nobody wants to enforce the 'little' stuff (like trucks parked for 2 months) but they sure love the car chases and assaults and unfortunately murders of late. EVERYONE on the force shows up for those and gets their faces on the new, etc. It's like a party when we have an 'event'. Even the old guy's house gets about 6 cars and they they all stand and joke and chat for 1/2 hour after the look-see. It's stupid.

Used to have dedicated guys, who you could really trust to help you. Now I am hesitant to call the police after getting that 'interrogation' by that nasty little newbie. I did get an apology from the Sergeant but he's one of the 'oldies'. Just wish the crooks were not in charge here. They know they won't get arrested for little things so they continue. Huge, fast growing, city within a bigger city and even the bigger one (San Diego proper) is losing it's older, experienced guys because of better pay and better treatment elsewhere. Sad very sad.

Good news is: The truck and trailer have not returned yet. I am not celebrating just yet as it was gone 2-3 days last month about this same time and he may just be on a 'run' somewhere. I can only guess what he might be doing since that nastygram he left on the 'fix' site which was directed at me. Gotta wonder about people who break the law and then lash out at those who don't.

The problem you're having with the police stems from bad management, they've lost their view of what police are suppose to do. Any time politics enters the picture, any picture, things go into the toilet. It starts becoming more important to LOOK like something's being done rather than things getting done. Little things don't improve ones image, big things do, so the little laws get ignored or pushed to the back burner. Old timers or newbies, if they feel you're bothering them when you report a crime, any crime, it's time for them to see new places, meet new people, just not where they are. And it's time to get someone at the helm who gives a toot about politics, but wants to uphold the law(s).

Yeah Homer, you hit the nail on the head. Not getting into too much of the political stuff, the problems started when our police chief left and we got a new one, who wasn't highly rated and had held another public office before and didn't do well there. Loads of protests. So I am pretty sure the trickle down effect is from the top and the underlings just don't care anymore since they are not getting any back up from the top. I can tell from the comments of the officers who respond to my looting problems across the way. They all say the same thing. Keep calling, can't do anything, but maybe the 'higher ups' will eventually get the message that something has to be done.

I had the same problem when I was teaching. I'd do MY job, but when I needed help from the disciplinary team, or needed supplies, I got no respect. Had kids coming back into class laughing and celebrating after I referred them for really bad behavior. It just reinforced their ability to terrorize me and the classes. Like many other teachers, I ended up spending my money for supplies just so I could keep my classes going.

It happens all over. It's just the way things are now except in lovely small pockets of 'retro America' where people actually know their neighbors, care about each other, and can count on authority doing its job when it's needed. I lived and worked in a town of 17,000 and we had the best police and fire departments. They were friendly, quick to respond, went above and beyond. Nice place to live when you knew they 'had your back'.

Sad world now, but I keep hoping things will be better. There is still a spark of good that I am guarding. Gotta keep going even if nobody else will.

Still no truck and trailer and no more nasty comments on my request for its removal. In 3 days we will know if he's just on a 'run' somewhere, or if he got annoyed/scared enough to permanently remove the offending vehicles. My neighbor and I did sweeps of the area looking for the vehicles in case he moved them nearby. Saw nothing, but found a few others that are 'regulars'. My favorite is 'Scooter Girl'. She goes around here on a razor scooter and collects cans, etc. She LIVES in an old car, which is so overloaded with 'bags' of stuff all over it, hanging off the back, sides, top. It's actually drivable, and when her plates got stolen, she drove to the DMV and got new ones. She has some favorite parking spots, and she moves the car about every 3 months. found it yesterday, less stuff hanging on it and ironically enough, it's right in front of the DRUG houses where Bad Gal hangs out. Now how's that for weird? Wonder if they are all together now. Scooter Girl goes by the empty house every day. She might be one of the frequent flyers at night taking things or actually staying inside. I'm watching.

Security tape caught 2 people in a small black car, LOADING about 9 huge boxes and bags of stuff from the empty house. This was in broad daylight again at 6:30 am this morning. Tons of people drove by, they just kept tossing and handing things over the fence and casually loading the car. One of the vehicles that drove by belongs to the Roofer guy directly across the street who had a clear view of the activity as he drove out. Do you think anyone there called the cops? Nope. Nobody cares anymore, probably never did. So disheartening.

My neighbor gal predicted that since it's the end/beginning of the month, and Bad Gal needs bail money that there would be a major looting to get her the money. She was RIGHT! Wow. We know people have been in there for days and days just boxing and sorting things.

Soon they will have the place cleared out and they will probably torch it just for spite. Yup. I'm predicting.

Sorta, I was going to suggest going to the City Counsel and bring up the problem with that house and the continuing looting. And that the police aren't doing enough to stop it, but it's possible they and the police Chief are on the same page. Still, it might be something to consider as concerned citizens.

From what you're describing Sorta, about the continued looting, in broad daylight no less, these people know the police aren't going to do anything even if they do show up. It's as though the police have lost their teeth and the crooks know it. The continuing problem with that house would make an investigative reporters' day if one were investigating the police department and their lack of action(s). It still confuses me that this problem has continued for so long without any official taking notice, or getting involved to end it.

Yeah Homer. At first, in May of 2012,the police were gung ho about it all but when it became a problem was when the old guy was unable to complain for himself, and the 'snake' guy scared the 'caretaker' guy away, it all fell apart. Then the 'caretaker's' girlfriend (now an ex) was actively looting the place little by little and all of us were fooled. She, being a friend of the caretaker guy, we figured HE being so honest and nice that she would be also. Took us all a load of time to figure it all out.
I have no doubt that the constant looting is all HER doing. She enlists her 'gang' and they do it for her now. She doesn't dare come around when she has that warrant.

Other problem is that the 'estate' is now in the hands of the Niece and she is not helpful, doesn't want to deal with any problems and prefers to just let it go. Since she's way across the country, I can sorta see her point. Then again, there is a property sitting there worth about 300k and you would think his family would want to cash in on that.

After Yesterday's looting in broad daylight again, and probably the same guys (car looks very familiar) I'm about to throw in the towel and only report if the place catches fire. Police just won't arrest anyone. Obvious door wide open doesn't even get them to go inside and check it out, or even try to get the place nailed up. I can see why. Takes one night and the crooks break in again. Futile efforts all around.

Someday this will all resolve itself. Just don't know when. My neighbor and I are predicting Winter, when it's cold and someone starts a fire in there to keep warm. No gas or electric now so nothing to make it nice. Weather great for now.

Wish I could go to the city whoever, but I can't get the backing of my neighbors and I don't want to be the one on TV where all the world can see me and my house. They don't want to be involved either, now that they see the police are not helpful. Police respond, but do nothing. Makes you feel stupid for even trying.

I keep hoping and praying for a SWAT team to just attack the place and drag out whoever is in there boxing up stuff. Or maybe someone NEW will move into the neighborhood and see the action and THEY might be the type to get involved.

I can't count the number of times I've called the police and others. I'm exhausted. Didn't call yesterday at all. I figured they were already gone and last time I had VIDEO of the theft, police still did nothing even when they said they recognized the looters and knew where they lived. Go figure.

I'll just sit and watch and hope. Maybe we can get Zombies to move in and scare off the looters?

Sorta, with the videos and other proof, I will bet your local news station would be happy to cover the negligence.