I keep thinking the same thing about the local news station...

I've thought the same thing about TV stations, but it's got to be something important and tells a story which will cause people to act. Just reporting on a neglected house isn't going to raise many eyebrows, but let the place catch fire or a body be found and those will make the news. As I said in a previous post, if an investigation of the police department is taking place, and someone is looking for proof of poor management, then that house would help provide proof. And if this house is part of a pattern which has developed since the new police chief, it goes a long way in providing proof. It would also help put the niece on the spot since a reporter would contact the person handling the estate.

I see four ways this situation will end: a body is found on the property; Sorta's house fire; the niece finally deals with the situation; an investigation of the police department is taking place and the house is used as evidence.

When this thing finally resolves, I'll be happy to post lovely pictures of the action. Hope it's soon. I'm so tired of watching and waiting. Although:

After Wednesday morning's looting in broad daylight, I decided NOT to call the ex boyfriend and just let it ride. He obsesses over it all and comes to 'patrol' almost every night, but of course nothing can be done. He's just so tied in with this since the old guy and he lived together fora few years and they went Casino hopping etc.

So when I didn't call him, it was a great move. HE came over yesterday to ask of 'anything' had happened over there, and I asked him why. He said Bad Gal had called him Wednesday Afternoon! She asked HIM if anything was going on, then launched into blaming other people for breaking in, etc. She also volunteered how hard it was to break into the WALLS. We know she had been chopping into walls thinking the old guy might have hidden money in them. She also told me a long time ago that she had gone through every book and magazine he had looking for money. She did find some then.

So here's the fun. SHE knows about the looting Wednesday morning or was involved in it and she wanted the ex to let her know if I had seen anything and called him. Ha. So clever is she? Luckily he didn't know anything because I didn't tell him, so now she thinks nobody saw anything and it's safe to continue the 'shopping spree'.

Gonna be a fun weekend around here. Nothing happened last night that I saw, but it's so dark over there without lights that the only thing I can see on camera is a car driving up (lights). Nothing approached all night. Maybe today at high noon?

Well, it's been awhile, but today was the best/worst day ever.

This morning a guy on a bicycle hopped over the fence and scored a wooden box with some electronic parts in it. It looked like he was not a 'regular' but just passing by and saw all the stuff strew around the driveway.

For the past week, people have been hopping the fence, using the oh so handy, bathtub chair, that the police thoughtfully left OUTSIDE the fence. Makes it so much easier to get over the fence if your climbing skills are lacking or you just have short legs.

So after the guy biked off, I turned on my security tape recorder, and then watched for awhile while I was watching TV. Sure enough, an hour later, a car pulled up on the side street, the passenger got out, hopped the back fence, came back immediately with another 2x2x2 cardboard box and plopped it into the back seat. He went over the fence again, came back with another same description box and then he glanced up and saw ME on my porch with binoculars getting the license number of the car. He DROPPED the box, hopped into the car and off they sped.

I called cops. After all, box on sidewalk, got it all on tape, saw the guys, got the license and car description. Dispatcher was annoyed with me and said, "WHY didn't you call us IMMEDIATELY when this happened?" To which I replied (not so friendly) that I HAD called immediately and the entire thing took less than 30 seconds from start to speed off. She said she would send someone 'when they were available'.

1/2 hour later: I'm on the porch, watching the box, which my tenant/friend had gone over and determined contained clocks and electronics. I had also called the neighbor lady 2 doors down from the house. She is an avid watcher and police caller too.

So while we waited for the police, the CAR drove by MY house slowly, went to the corner, turned and came back up the same street, screeched to a stop at the BOX, and this time the DRIVER jumped out, tossed the box to the passenger, ran back around to the driver's side and whoosh! They sped off again. Whole thing took 10 seconds.

BUT this time, I had my regular camera ready and got a picture of the car (showing the license plate) AND a clear picture of the driver in all his glory. I recognized the T-shirt he was wearing as the same one who took the bike earlier in the week.

So I called the police dispatch back and was told, "You are on the list" and waited for the police, who showed up about 10 minutes later. They (3 of them in 3 cars) were polite, dismissive, told us nothing could be done, took the pictures, etc. They suggested calling the city housing department or code enforcement since they can't even 'ticket' anyone without approval of the 'owner' who isn't cooperating. Yeah, we know.

So the best part? I said, sure, OK, what should I do if THEY come back? The answer, "Don't call us". Yes you heard it right, don't call them, just let it go, is what they said. They said they had the pics and would start a file. I said there ALREADY is a file. They know nothing.

I then joked that we are all trying to guess who the unlucky one will be on each new call, and indicated that they probably draw straws to see who has to handle it, or that they use this house for 'hazing' the new guys. They didn't laugh. I don't care.

What kind of police department tells a citizen NOT to call them when there is an obvious crime in progress??????

I'm still waiting for someone to call a TV station...

ditto Drac. They live for exposing the cops for not doing their duty.

Taking our next actions today. Calling Code Enforcement to see what they say about the 'abandoned house' over grown yard, dying trees, garbage spread out all over the yard and street. Hopefully they will 'care'. My neighbor (84 years young) who isn't proactive on calling or doing, but is concerned and watches and reports to me, is going to call her insurance agent who just happens to be the old guy's insurance agent too. She will ask if the house is STILL insured and then tell him about things going on. It's pulling our property values down, is a fire hazard, etc. That will be more info I can use on the 'proper authorities'. I've got 2 other people who said they would call code enforcement. I'm going to give them the phone number after I call and see what they say to me.

At some point, this house will burn or explode (that tinfoil really concerns me!) or there will be 'violence' of some type and then I will happily tell anyone who will listen that 'I told you so'.

As of last night, no lights in the house (electricity and gas off still I think) but the garage was lit up brightly. Probably a lantern or they found a way to steal electricity from a neighbor. I'll look for 'wires or cords' today.

When those sworn to 'protect and serve' won't do either for the neighborhood people who are reporting CRIME in progress, then I don't have much respect for them. Our firemen are much more 'people friendly' and are there no matter what the problem, how many times you call, etc. Wish the police had the same dedication.

"All that is needed for evil to flourish, is for good people to do nothing..."

The bottom line is there isn't much the police can do without the owner's cooperation, and she has made it very clear that she wants nothing to do with the situation. If they arrest someone for stealing and the person whose things got stolen doesn't want to press charges, then the police have to let the suspects go.

I think your building code enforcement is the way to go. If the house violates code in any way, then the town can fine the owner. If she hasn't paid taxes on the place, then the township can foreclose on it. It also may not hurt to make the mayor's office aware of the eyesore.

I think that policeman stepped over the line by saying "don't call us." If they don't like being called to the same place over and over again, then it's time they take steps to put an end to the activity which has them returning time and again. It would be in their best interest to contact the city attorney to see what steps can be taken to force the niece to get off her duff and do something about the house. Whether she has to help settle the estate, sell the contents of the house to a consignment company, or throw out the stuff.

As long as that house contains things which the lower forms of life find attractive, and the police turn a blind eye, they will continue stealing until the only thing left in the house are the roaches and mice.

If the Code Enforcement people can't, won't, don't do anything to move things along, and because of what that policeman said, perhaps a letter to the States Attorney General might get things moving.

So I've been VERY busy the last 3 days. Lots of fun stuff to do. After I called the police and they told me not to call again (actually he qualified that when he saw my reaction to, 'we have enough info on these guys today'), they left and I called the lady up the street and told her what they said. She is also a proactive gal and calls in frequently. She lives two doors away and her elderly mom lives right next door to the back yard of the empty house.

Anyway, she and I are becoming partners in crime, so the Oxford Street Ladies Detective Agency has a new member. It's her hubby who has an app on his cell phone that gets the local police calls, and he's the one that called me the 'neighborhood cop' many moons ago at a condo fire up the street. He's also the one setting off fireworks (with his son and friends for years). Actually no fireworks for a long time now. Interesting.

So then the day after I got chastised, a heavyset gal parked across the street, got out of her little red minivan and walked over to the empty house. She was very recognizable. I've seen her many times, and she's the one who got caught there long ago with the guy when I had called. They questioned and released even though they were IN the house. BUT she's the same one and as she walked up the sidewalk, she was obviously 'scouting'. Walked up one side, passed 2 doors up, came back, went around the corner, past 2 doors up (right where the new 'detective' lives) and then went back to her car and went away.

Later, several more cars that are 'frequent flyers' cruised by slowly, just looking. We are all getting used to the vehicles and seeing who is in them. They were also scouts. Nothing happened that day, BUT:

Yesterday, oh boy oh boy! At 9:15 I looked out my front door and saw a Jeep parked IN the empty house's driveway. Nobody has done that in months and months. I quickly reviewed my security recording and saw that it had been there for 15 minutes already and TWO gals had gotten out, walked around the sidewalk (just like the single gal the day before). Very casual, looking for all the world like they were realtors, or something. ONE was the same big gal from yesterday and the other, I KNOW from when Bad Gal lived there. Yup, tiny little thing, about the size of a ten year old boy, in fact I thought she was a boy until I asked Bad Gal. At that time we didn't know she was BAD.

So these two walked around, big one had the same shoulder large tote bag as the day before and now had a CLIPBOARD, which she kept 'referring to'. Very clever ruse. I think I'll use that next time I rob a house. Finally they jumped over the fence into the yard and disappeared into the house. The little one had a huge empty garbage bag with her. Since I was told NOT to call the cops, I called the lady up the street and SHE called the cops using my info on the Jeep and it's license number, etc. Interesting that the garbage bag NEVER came OUT.

From that point she and I and my other neighbor were calling back and forth watching from 3 angles while we waited for the police to arrive. Now the 'caller' had the police calls on the other cell and she was listening the whole time, and heard everything. It took 1/2 hour for the police (as usual) BUT when they arrived, the girls were just walking OUT of the back yard, around the corner, and casually to their car, still looking and using the clipboard as a prop. Nothing in their hands.

Neighbor lady caller heard, "Come in from the West side", and then "Now! Go go go!" Just as the gals were getting into the Jeep. It was like a scene from a good cop movie. 3 cars came in, right in line and another from the other way, blocking the Jeep. Awesome! They must have been 'staging' to the East of me and I didn't even think to look up that way. They caught the 2 of them, rousted them from the Jeep, searched them and the car, and plopped them on the curb while they looked around. Another 1/2 hour and they finally took their pictures, and then made the chubby gal dump her tote on the hood of the Jeep and out came tons of 'little' things, which (to my dismay) the cops made her dump over the fence right in plain sight and easy enough to grab. It's the usual thing for them to leave stuff right there, which is so stupid. Just invites others to scavenge.

We knew they would just let them go, but at least they got identification, car and all that good stuff. After everyone was gone, I got my male friend/tenant to walk over with me to see what they dumped over the fence and it was more watch parts and tools. Little stuff, jars of screws and gears, paper packets with huge clock springs, bottles of oil, a bunch of watch crystals (which are all outside the fence and are half broken) but I gathered up about 5 of them because they will be gone in an instant anyway. Fun things.

We also noticed that the police nicely added to the 'ease of entry' by putting a small, 2 step, ladder on the other side of the fence, facing the already in position bathroom chair, so now it's up the chair, over the fence, down the ladder. How nice of them to make it easier. Like I said, stupid people. Oh and it was the SAME 3 policemen who told me not to call who showed up this time. Good thing I didn't call. I am happy at least they got to detain some 'perps'. Maybe they will feel more like real police now that they actually did a 'catch and release'.

Police car just now while I'm writing, cruised by slowly and checked out the house. Nice of them. Nothing going on that we can see, but a yard sale across the street, with lots of cars coming and going. Maybe he got suspicious.

In the meantime, the Code Enforcement guy got my email request. He called the other gal who just left a phone message, and she told him (after he asked if it was her email) that it was mine. He loved the email description and said he had enough info to open a case file on the place. Hooray. Don't know when, but he is on it. Got his name too. And 4 other neighbors have the printed 'complaint' forms from me so they can also contact this guy. I spread them all over to those I know and tried to get them to participate. Cunno how many will actually mail them in. Most people just talk, but won't actually DO. The more the better I figure if they will cooperate.

OH and Bad Gal called me TWICE. Once after the first new break in where I called and was chastised, and then again yesterday after the 2nd big bust. From the way she was talking I KNEW she already knew that something had happened. These are all HER people. I am pretending to be her BFF and we chat for 30=45 minutes each time with her blabbing all sorts of good info including names and places these guys live etc. She's especially keying in on one guy she says IS living in there and gave me his LAST name. She never does that. He must be cutting in on her territory.

Anyway, I'm pumping her ego, making her think I'm on her side, pretending to believe all her lies about her being so innocent of everything, etc. AND didn't tell her the gas/electric had been turned off, (she mentioned maybe getting it turned off) but she volunteered to turn off the water! Great! She had it in her name, never got a bill of course and we were waiting for the water company to just shut it off for non-payment but that takes months. SHE decided it would great to keep those 'thieves' out if they had no water. So for once, she actually told the truth because yesterday morning, the water guy came and locked the meter. How good it that? Now now utilities in there. Whew.

AND she told me (after I mentioned about the foiling on the windows and a possible meth lab going in) that it sounded to her like it too, and then said she 'heard' from some people that there were lots of 'needles' all over the place now. Yup, drug house for sure. She knows everything about everything. She and the ex boyfriend were avid casino goers, still are, but separately now, but both of them told me that the 'regulars' at the casinos are all chatting about, 'have you heard about the empty house on ....Street? It's full of good stuff for the taking". Yup big mouths all over. No wonder we have so many 'shoppers'.

AND the little guy who was supposed to live there with her (back in April/May when she was squatting) and he came by my house crying about all his 'stuff' being inside, etc. I was right, she said it was his drug 'kit' he was after. He's heavy into meth like most of her friends. BUT get this, he was ARRESTED day before yesterday (just after my call to police) on charges of burglary and printing fake checks) 51k bail. Yup, it's him for sure. I'm hoping something from the car description that day that I gave the police a picture of might have led them to him. I read Bad Gal the arrest sheet and she confirmed. What a fun group of people. She's next. Warrant for her has been out for 6 weeks I think but I didn't tell her.

So today, I am hoping for calm. I'm exhausted with all this fun. Waiting for Code Enforcement guy to do something. City can condemn if Niece refuses to cooperate and they prove the house is unsafe to the neighborhood (which it is). They can bulldoze the house and clear the lot. I'd love that. Taxes still due, but not late until Dec 10 so Niece has time to pay them. They were paid last year, but not the 'supplemental' bill for change of owners when he died. Not sure if she is gonna cough up almost 8k for this house. Also found out that even if the taxes are NOT paid, it will be FIVE years before the City will own the property. Yup, they let you go for a full five years on the tax deal. Really nice to know. Code Enforcement can do a much faster job.

Sorta Blonde the Detective signing off for now and taking a much needed food break!

I need more popcorn.

Popcorn in the microwave for everyone! I'm stocking up for something big to happen.

Little happening last night was that some guy in a big pick up truck, pulled over to the side of the road at the empty house, casually got out, walked 10 feet to the driveway fence gate and picked up the bathroom chair sitting on the outside of the fence. He made sure it was 'stable' and then casually walked back to his truck, plopped it into the bed with lots of other things he probably picked up along the streets, and off he went. Good for him! Now there is only the step ladder and a cement block for 'access'. Neighbor and I are celebrating that someone took the chair after the police stupidly left it there for the crooks to use. Nice.

Also, for 2 days, there have been pick up trucks (different ones) parked along the sidewalk at a spot that looks directly into the house's back yard (also can see the garage single door there). Trucks stay about an hour each and then drive off. They all pull up, reposition a few times, and then nobody gets in or out. Might be police 'stake out' or might be neighbors doing the same, but it's very very weird. Another one this morning for an hour between 7:15 and 8:15 am. Interesting. Gotta find out who they are and what they are doing. If it was the SAME truck it would be easier, but all are different, full size, different brands and colors. I know the police have lots of undercover vehicles. Just interested to know if these are some. Probably not, because they hate responding over there, but I can hope.

OH and the light in the garage (dunno what or how because power was cut off 2 weeks ago) was OFF last night for the first time in a week! Maybe the thieves boogied out when the girls got questioned. Crossing fingers. Will check again tonight.

Sorta, it sound like there's a sign on that house which reads "open house, take all you want."

Would you believe, Homer, that 2 weekends ago, some nutcase from a block away actually attached TWO large cardboard 'Yard Sale' signs directly to the chain link fence of the house and attached them with those nylon strap ties? Uhuh. And guess what, they are STILL there. More stupid people. I walked up the block and sure enough, there was a garage sale going on with two young people with a little baby. They had just moved in 2 weeks before so the guy said. I didn't mention the obvious lack of brain power it took to attach THEIR signs to someone else's fence. I wanted to, oh yes. So it's one more little, 'come on in' the coast is clear message to everyone. I'm now wondering if that guy has something to do with anything of the looting? It's possible. I mentioned all the 'break ins' just up the block to them without saying where and cautioned them to be careful. No real reaction except he said he knew all his neighbors already, etc.

Nothing new today, I think, but maybe I'll see something I missed over night. Still waiting for Code Enforcement to appear and actually look at the place.

And yet AGAIN this morning. Actually it started last evening. A 'suspicious' guy on a bicycle kept going round and round the house and in the intersection. Both I and my neighbor watched him and commented on his weird behavior. He was also around just a few minutes ago. Very suspicious but not when you read what happened this morning:

This morning, 6:45 am, I saw a guy hop the driveway fence. I turned on the recorder and fell asleep again, and 45 minutes later my neighbor called to say there were police cars all over, again. I reviewed the tape and saw that after the first guy, 2 more came down the same way, but went around the corner and sat down on the curb. They stayed there for 1/2 or more. My neighbor thought maybe one was drunk and the other was 'helping' him. Nope. They were lookouts. As they sat, one got up, walked to the corner and back and sat down again. Then a guy walked up from the opposite direction right by my house. He had a backpack and dufflebag. He passed by the two sitters, no sign of recognition at all from anyone, and he walked to the back yard and up and over the fence and crossed the yard out of sight.

Then just a few minutes later, my neighbor on the side street drove out and around the corner sort of slow and continued up the street at which time one of the sitters, got up, walked to the corner again, made sure my neighbor's car was gone, went back to his partner, they both walked to the back fence and the 'spotter' went over the fence and across the back yard while the sitter walked up past the neighbor's house and out of my line of sight. He might have been still there as a lookout somewhere.

So the police showed up in about 10 minutes (4 cars), spent 1/2 hour doing 'things' came out with one guy and after a few minutes, let him go. I get so mad when they do that. But that left TWO others in the house or garage. They probably have no idea they missed 2 and got only one. But then again, maybe the one was a 'sacrificial lamb' just so the other 2 could get away later. I'm still recording so I will see if I catch them leaving.

Still no new word from code enforcement, I'm not so optimistic since it's been a week with no word to me from them. We will probably be playing this game forever. It's just Catch and Release every time.

OH but interesting news is Bad Gal's warrant is cleared and she's NOT in jail so she must have gotten enough money from the looting to pay the bail and is out until whenever. Good for her.

Some good news. Well almost good news, it's a start.

Last night's local news (at least 2 of the 5 stations) ran a story about MY neighborhood and a 'drug house, people coming and going, guns seen, threats made to residents, violence, death threats to one lady'. Group of neighbors went to city council meeting (seen on video). Well, for a split second I thought it might be MY problem in progress. It turns out, and this is good and bad, the house in question is only 3 1/2 blocks from here, has been doing this for FIVE years since the old guy moved in, and finally the neighbors are fed up.

Amazing that the story line is so similar to what's happening across the street. Seems a 77 year old man lives there, rents out rooms to low-life and they are the ones selling and using drugs, etc. Oh and I forgot all the stolen vehicles and other obviously stolen goods coming and going.

Anyway, finally it came to a head when there were SIXTY-TWO police calls to that house in the last 6 months and finally, after residents went to city council yesterday, the DA said she would be investigating. Same story, police 'have done all they could' (yeah we know that one by heart), but the DA would be trying to see what could be 'legally' done to help the problem. I have no doubt these people have been going through all the lack of concern that we have right here.

I'm going to follow the story of that house AND isn't it strange that when the owner (who says he lives there) was confronted by the News Media live on camera, he said, 'there were some bad people living here, but they are gone now'. Like we actually believe him? He lived right there while it was all going on and still does. He was very anxious to avoid the cameras.

I guess MY situation could be worse. Oh wait, IF the old guy is telling the truth about 'they are gone', then maybe some of the sudden increase of people coming in to OUR empty house this last weekend has a direct correlation to that? Could all the influx be due to those guys looking for new places to live and set up shop? AND strangely enough, when the camera zoomed in on some of the windows of that house, there was TINFOIL in the windows!!!!! Oh now I'm really intrigued. Hope their problem is not contributing to ours.

Sorta Blonde Detective on the job!

I would run, not walk, to my phone and call the DA's office and let them know that the two situations might be related. Who knows, maybe you even video surveillance of the same people causing problems 3 1/2 blocks away.

Called the gal across the street who is probably more ferocious about calling the police than I because her house is closer and her mom's house is right at the back yard of the empty house and they all can hear the chain link fence when someone jumps over it. She had seen the news stories too, but not until after she had driven right by the street in question and saw several police cars with lights blinking, blocking the access. Must have been when they arrested the wife of the old man who is renting out rooms to druggies. The wife made death threats to one of the neighbors who called the police many times. The house's owner is 77 and his wife is 43. I'm guessing the wife is the one who brought in all the low lifes and the old guy probably just is oblivious. Ya never know.

Anyway, the gal up the street is more than willing to continue the 'hunt' and IF we hear a favorable outcome, she is willing to go with me to the city attorney (like these other people did) and try to get something going. We just have to wait and watch and keep gathering information.

It took FIVE years for the other people to get to this point and I guess it was the death threat that really got things going. I sure don't want that to happen to me or any of my neighbors.

Yesterday, the 'entry' under the house was wide open again. Someone is in there again. It's never ending. Haven't seen anyone go in or out, but it's very dark at night now (no moon) and they could be coming and going. They always seem to wear black clothing.

Still watching, not going to record at night until the moon if fuller and I can actually see movement. Still, if it took 5 year and a death threat to get something going with the other place, I can only wonder how long before we see something good happening. I'm still concerned that now that the other guy said, 'there were some bad people here, but they are gone now', that some of those people might be migrating to THIS house. It might explain the activity a few days back of no less than SEVEN people going in or out. Was a strange day. Could be the 'evicted' guys from 3-4 blocks away. Certainly close enough to get here. And one had a backpack and another a duffle bag. Hummmm. Food for thought.

It'd be good for those elected officials to get it in gear and deal with problems brought to their attention. People have a very long memory when their elected officials blow off a problem citizens bring to their attention. All this hand ringing isn't doing their prospects any good for a continued life in the office they now hold. And if everyone is sitting on their hands because of existing laws, then it's time to try and get those laws changed to something which will allow these folks to finally take action.

It's election day in a few. I'm hoping that there are some changes in our city and maybe I can start by dealing with the NEW guys. One is a 'kid' I went to school with and he's running for Mayor. Might be something there if he remembers me. I'm sure he does. Shrimpy little guy in college, now huge and handsome and manly.

I will never forget the day we were half-way through our 'student teaching' for our credentials and he came running up to me in the hallway of the school we BOTH got assigned to. He was bouncing and jumping and waving a paper and yelling at me, "I got a job, I got a job!" That was very nice except neither of us had finished school yet and HE had a job? HIM? Oh, did I forget to tell you he was the SON of the Superintendent? Yup, of course he got hired before he had credentials. Duh. Took me 9 years to get a job in this school district after graduation. I grew up here as did he, but he got hired and I had to go 150 miles away, to the desert, and be miserable while he came up through the ranks and now is most likely going to be Mayor. He will be good at it. I just remember him as a tiny, whiny, kid.

In other news: It's Halloween and I just woke up remembering that LAST Halloween was the first of the BIG invasions of the house. Lots of dark and action in the neighborhood and all the noise and stuff happening masked the tearing off of the boarded up house stuff. Next morning, everything was open and scattered goodies all around. Tonight, I'm going to be on watch. Won't help much, but at least we can interrupt their plans a bit. I found that one of my little flashlights has a massive beam (not laser) that when focused lights up that house like daytime! Awesome. I can just stand on my porch and shine it on the driveway 'entry' point and on the back yard too and it's bright as day. Might be something to play with since it's going to be a bumpy ride tonight anyway. Gonna experiment and have some fun.

I still think moving a family of skunks into that house would solve a lot of problems. Unless, of course, anyone has a cold.

Skunks are a great idea, but then I'd be afraid someone would hurt the poor little innocent skunks.

Last night, the Big Halloween, someone finally took down the 'yard sale' huge signs. I guess the people from the other end of the block took their kid trick or treating and decided since they walked 'all the way' down the block, they would remove the signs. Duh. It's only been 3 weeks.

But, then, while looking for the signs (it rained and they might have fallen off) I noticed that the mailbox has been graced with Graffiti. Yup, I think it says FREAK, but I can't tell from a distance. Someone just scratched whatever into the mailbox side from top to bottom in huge letters that cover the entire mailbox. Dunno why, or what at this point. Too many kids and others roaming the neighborhood last night to see anything.

It's been way too quiet over at the 'Emporium'. A week ago, some guy in nice clothing (unusual for this area where everyone hopping the fences is in 'gang' garb) walked up to the front door and took the 'gas turned off' sign put there by the gas and electric company. He walked through the FRONT gate which nobody every uses (except the thieves) and seemed to know how it worked to get it to open while still being locked.

He was driving a small white car. Then the next day (Saturday of last week) another guy walked IN the gate. I looked across the street and right there, in back of my nasty neighbor's SUV was a shiny red sports car. HE had come from the car! So this one parked in front of a house, crossed the street to get to the old guy's house. HE walked in the gate and immediately around to the back of the house and out of sight. 10 minutes later, he casually walked out with some papers in his hand, nothing else, and got back into the red car and drove off.

THEN a full week later, last night, the red car parked in the same spot at 8:15 pm. I didn't see the guy until I noticed someone walking from the 'other' direction and into the gate and around the back of the house. Took me an hour and a half to figure out that there were TWO, maybe three guys going into the house. They stayed in there most of the 1 1/2 hours and then one came back to the car, loaded something into the back seat, and into the trunk and then got in. THEN he got back out, walked to the corner and came back with more 'stuff' and ANOTHER guy. They both packed the car and drove off.

By the time they drove off, I had walked down my driveway and up the street (on my side) way past the old guy's house. The red car SLOWED down as they passed me and I just kept looking down and didn't 'see' them. I was just getting back to my driveway when that SAME car came down the side street (opposite my driveway) and parked at the back of the house. They had driven around the block. TWO guys got out, loaded some large boxes into the car, then both got in and drove around to the front of the house where they loaded MORE boxes and bags of stuff for about 10 minutes. I could hear the driveway fence rattling and clanging the whole time. I'm thinking there could be three people involved. Two in the car (which drove away) and one LEFT in the house who was shuttling the goodies to the fence for pick up. Probably Bad Gal. She possibly might have been in there all week packing stuff for these guys to take.

This morning, one of the huge overflowing trash cans has been moved against the fence, probably to aid in jumping over the back gate or it might have had 'stuff' in it and they wheeled it to the gate to be easier than making many trips.

A never ending shopping spree, and it's not even Black Friday yet!

This whole thing continues to baffle me that no one actually involved with that house gives a flip it's being robbed lock stock and barrel. And that law enforcement can't do a thing to stop it unless the niece gets involved. Tax payers deserve better from those whose salaries they pay than holding their hands in the air and declare there's nothing they can do. Isn't burglary burglary?

Yeah Homer, I've totally lost faith in our law enforcement here. After all this stupidity, and the last guy telling me 'don't call us', I've decided not to bother with the police. I'm just 'recording' and documenting what's happening just in case some day someone actually wakes up and figures out they should prosecute some of the thieves. I can just see the police force saying they 'had no idea!' that anything was happening. Yup. It' sad when you feel those who 'serve and protect' are doing neither. Really a weird feeling.

Last night again, single car, single male. I think it was a 'delivery'. Guy got out of car right out front of the house, walked in gate, around back of house. He was smoking and the total time from 'park' till 'drive off' was 2 minutes. I think maybe Bad Gal needed some cigs and he was the delivery boy. Saw nothing in his hands coming or going. Pretty sure with my Spidey Sense' that Bad Gal is indeed living in there now and boxing things and calls for deliveries and pick ups when necessary.

Can't do anything, won't do anything. Loads of neighbors RIGHT there, walking by, parking by the offenders as they load stuff and hop fences, etc. but nobody calls the cops. Amazing. Just wait until it's THEIR house getting robbed and see how loud they yell.

My neighbor and I are still trying to do something, but if the police and DA can't do anything about that obvious drug house 3 blocks from here for the last FIVE years despite all the pleadings of the neighbors there, then we have no chance. We are 'small fish'. It's hard to mount a crusade to fight evil when there are only 2 or 3 souls brave enough to do anything.