05/12/2025
Q: Can anything be done legally to stop harassment from a neighbor? My elderly mother and teenage nephew have had issues with their neighbor. The neighbor has threatened them both, walked onto their property to yell at them and nearly throw punches at my nephew, shined flashlights to block her security cameras, pulled up in his vehicle to yell at my mother, and placed his handgun on the car dash, and tailgated my teenage nephew out of the neighborhood. Recently, my teenage nephew was in a car accident and is soon to be discharged home with a severe brain injury. This neighbor is telling other neighbors that this was karma and he got what he deserved. I am worried he will try to start things up again when they get home from the hospital. Is there anything that can be done to prevent/scare him away? Restraining order? Harassment charges? We have video evidence of his acts.
A: Harassment and assault (threats of bodily harm, etc.), as well as trespassing, are all criminal offenses. You and/or your mother should go to your local law enforcement agency (i.e., police department or sheriff’s department ) and speak with them about criminal charges. If they do not believe there is enough to charge the guy, they can give you specific information about an Order of Protection.
