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“I Was Shaking”: Woman Is Shocked Neighbor Broke Down Her Door, Says He “Did Nothing Wrong”
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“I Was Shaking”: Woman Is Shocked Neighbor Broke Down Her Door, Says He “Did Nothing Wrong”

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Usually, neighbors get on our bad side when they exhibit frustrating behavior that inconveniences us. Like watching the TV too loud, allowing their pets to roam wherever they want, or constantly complaining about parking or boundary infringements. But such people are seemingly a drop in the bucket compared to the unpredictable ones that cause danger and spark fear in fellow residents.

This woman recently shared how her paths crossed with such a neighbor, leaving her shaken up and scared. In the dead of night, she was startled by a loud banging on her door. It got to a point where the man kicked down the door and broke in. Terrified, she searched for help and called the police, who unfortunately weren’t much of a help.

Some neighbors are simply frustrating, but there are also those who cause danger and spark fear

Image credits: MART PRODUCTION (not the actual photo)

This woman’s neighbor kicked down her door in the night, which scared her so much she couldn’t return to her apartment

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Image credits: ThinkDannyThink (not the actual photo)

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Image source: Sparklfairy

23% of Americans have called the police because of neighbors

Image credits: Nathan Stein (not the actual photo)

Many people have difficult relationships with their neighbors. In fact, a 2022 LendingTree survey has found that 23% of Americans have called the police because of their surrounding residents. If the neighbor is being physically violent or verbally abusive and poses a threat, reaching out to authorities that could help is encouraged. 

However, chances are that the police aren’t capable of doing too much about it, just like what happened to the protagonist of this story. Therefore, to address such an issue, the following step could be gathering all the evidence a person has on the neighbor. Then, if the resident lives in an apartment building, they may reach out to the Homeowners’ Association (HOA) or Condo Association.

All homeowners or renters in an HOA must abide by community rules. When they are breached, the HOA has the right to intervene, addressing the neighbor’s misconduct while leaving the affected neighbor out of it. If the nuisance continues exhibiting violent behavior and isn’t showing any signs of improvement or regret, going to court may be an option. 

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However, it’s notoriously difficult to evict tenants from apartments, especially when the harm is an emotional one, as courts most effectively solve financial damages.  So for the sake of residents’ safety, they may choose to relocate if they are renting. The landlord might even be willing to let them switch apartments within the same building just further away from the problematic neighbor. 

The first and most important priority when faced with a hostile individual is to keep safe and protect oneself

Image credits: Erkan Utu (not the actual photo)

While the person affected by the fear-inducing resident is looking for a way to solve the issue, it may be beneficial to know how to handle hostile behavior in case it ever happens again. The first and most important priority when faced with an aggressive individual is to keep safe and protect oneself. This means exiting the situation when it feels uncomfortable. If necessary, seek help and support from law enforcement. 

Some signs alerting that the situation may become violent include a sudden change in body language or tone of voice, refusal to follow instructions, clenched fists, or a tightened jaw. As well as any indication of frustration like heavy sighing or muttering under their breath. 

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While dealing with the aggressor, keep a healthy distance and avoid escalating things further. The less reactive a person is to their behavior, the less likely that they’re going to get more agitated. A beneficial practice is to focus on your breathing, making it slow and steady. 

Finally, try not to take anything they say personally. As Don Miguel Ruiz, a renowned spiritual teacher and bestselling author, said, “What others say and do is a projection of their own reality…When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.” If the resident ever decides to stand up to the bullying behavior, it’s important to do it safely, having other witnesses for support. 

Many commenters tried to help the woman by providing her with advice

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Austeja Zokaite

Austeja Zokaite

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Hi, glad you swung by! My name is Austėja, and I’m a writer at Bored Panda. With a degree in English philology, I’m interested in all aspects of language. Being fresh out of university, my mission is to master the art of writing and add my unique touch to every personal story and uplifting article we publish. In my time here, I’ve covered some fun topics such as scrungy cats and pareidolia, as well as more serious ones about mental health and relationship hiccups. When I’m not on my laptop, you’ll probably find me devouring pastries, especially croissants, paired with a soothing cup of tea. Sunsets, the sea, and swimming are some of my favorite things.

Read less »
Austeja Zokaite

Austeja Zokaite

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Hi, glad you swung by! My name is Austėja, and I’m a writer at Bored Panda. With a degree in English philology, I’m interested in all aspects of language. Being fresh out of university, my mission is to master the art of writing and add my unique touch to every personal story and uplifting article we publish. In my time here, I’ve covered some fun topics such as scrungy cats and pareidolia, as well as more serious ones about mental health and relationship hiccups. When I’m not on my laptop, you’ll probably find me devouring pastries, especially croissants, paired with a soothing cup of tea. Sunsets, the sea, and swimming are some of my favorite things.

Ieva Pečiulytė

Ieva Pečiulytė

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

I'm a Visual Editor for Bored Panda. I’m also an analog collage artist. My love for images and experience in layering goes well with both creating collages by hand and working with digital images as an Editor. When I’m not using my kitchen area as an art studio I also do various experiments making my own cosmetics or brewing kombucha. When I’m not at home you would most definitely find me attending a concert or walking my dog.

Read less »

Ieva Pečiulytė

Ieva Pečiulytė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a Visual Editor for Bored Panda. I’m also an analog collage artist. My love for images and experience in layering goes well with both creating collages by hand and working with digital images as an Editor. When I’m not using my kitchen area as an art studio I also do various experiments making my own cosmetics or brewing kombucha. When I’m not at home you would most definitely find me attending a concert or walking my dog.

What do you think ?
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FreeTheUnicorn
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Contact your MP, contact actual media outlets, tell your landlord about the door and get landlord to file a property damage complaint, it will get it in record. Absolutely horrible someone would be dismissed like that. If you have no where else to go, women shelters will have leads, if not beds.

The pigeon
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Update: OP contacted her landlord, a locksmith came and fixed the lock, op stayed at a hotel and arranged to go to the police station the next day, received a reply from her landlord that the crazy guy will be removed and they added a deadbolt to ops door. OP hasn't been informed if the guy has actually left or not tho. The police still didn't take any action against the guy.

R Dennis
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes absolutely no sense and OP is entirely too calm about this. I would be at the police station until this gets resolved.

Natasha Clark
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She need to reach out to the local media about the police lack of response to an urgent call & show them the call logs. Also should install cameras in her flat too.

Nina
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a really ffed up situation. Must've been scary as all get out for her. And the police not showing up for all those hours, dang..

LonelyLittleLeafSheep
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The poll is missing a choice: get a baseball bat and defend myself from if he tries it again.

Id row
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Typical for the police. But I bet of OP was going 5 miles over the speed limit, they'd be on her in an instant.

Lantana Howell
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would consider filing a civil suit against the police dept for failure to help. This could have ended very badly for you.

Katiekat
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Time to go to the local television station, and keep calling EVERYONE you possibly can think of. Be the squeaky wheel! Make so much fuss and so much noise that someone does something just to shut you up. Also, it should NOT be on the sane, balanced person to move. It should be the mentally ill/d**g addict to be rehomed, or put into care of some kind. Keep calling, keep making a ruckus until you get results. If this were me, nothing and no one could shut me up about it until I got RESULTS.

John L
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When seconds count, the police are just minutes away....if you live in a "affluent" area.

Igor914624
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Based on the info provided, she is in the UK and they are not allowed to have guns. Here in Texas the cops would have been taking that guy to the morgue. He wouldn't bother anyone after that.

Load More Replies...
UncleJohn3000
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you buy a baseball bat for self-protection, do you lawyer a favor and get a ball and ball glove too.

Jessie
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly I would have moved out ASAP. Even if the police were to arrest him he would be in jail for several weeks, what happens after he gets out? Seeing OP might trigger him again and OP is clearly not safe in that house.

P.L. Packer
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad I live in the US and legally carry a lethal weapon. Yes, in a case like this I would use it without hesitation.

Khall Khall
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Call someone and say he's a danger to himself. That he said something about unaliving himself. That should at least get some traction. I'm not sure how to convert it into protecting her but, at least it would get people out there and get him some attention? Might even get him put on a 48 hour hold and some mental evaluation ?

Steve Robert
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's breaking and entering and, in the US, illegal. But that lock and door look so flimsy. In my building, the entire front door frame is metal and the doors a couple of inches of solid wood. A person is not going to kick the door in. But you have a crazie living next to you. Get out of there, and certainly press charges. You were lucky, but some other woman may not be so lucky!

kittylexy
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing gets attention faster than withholding rent and going to the media. There are also reinforced lock kits that can be installed but if it's a wooden door he could probably kool-aid man right through it if in some kind of manic state. I'd move ASAP.

Grazina Strolia
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are people saying *she* should move?? That's grounds for eviction for the assailant! He destroyed the landlord's property, and will likely bring down rent values for the whole building! OOOOOOOUUUUUT. Out out OUT.

G A
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mentally unwell people are not well served in the UK. Legacy of Thatcher and her 'Care in the community' plan so she could close state run mental hospitals and save money. Some people are a clear danger not just to themselves. Hope the OP is OK but I'd invest in an expandable baton and a rape alarm for protection. He might get evicted, but if he gets obsessive, horrible to contemplate.

FreeTheUnicorn
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Contact your MP, contact actual media outlets, tell your landlord about the door and get landlord to file a property damage complaint, it will get it in record. Absolutely horrible someone would be dismissed like that. If you have no where else to go, women shelters will have leads, if not beds.

The pigeon
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Update: OP contacted her landlord, a locksmith came and fixed the lock, op stayed at a hotel and arranged to go to the police station the next day, received a reply from her landlord that the crazy guy will be removed and they added a deadbolt to ops door. OP hasn't been informed if the guy has actually left or not tho. The police still didn't take any action against the guy.

R Dennis
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes absolutely no sense and OP is entirely too calm about this. I would be at the police station until this gets resolved.

Natasha Clark
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She need to reach out to the local media about the police lack of response to an urgent call & show them the call logs. Also should install cameras in her flat too.

Nina
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a really ffed up situation. Must've been scary as all get out for her. And the police not showing up for all those hours, dang..

LonelyLittleLeafSheep
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The poll is missing a choice: get a baseball bat and defend myself from if he tries it again.

Id row
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Typical for the police. But I bet of OP was going 5 miles over the speed limit, they'd be on her in an instant.

Lantana Howell
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would consider filing a civil suit against the police dept for failure to help. This could have ended very badly for you.

Katiekat
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Time to go to the local television station, and keep calling EVERYONE you possibly can think of. Be the squeaky wheel! Make so much fuss and so much noise that someone does something just to shut you up. Also, it should NOT be on the sane, balanced person to move. It should be the mentally ill/d**g addict to be rehomed, or put into care of some kind. Keep calling, keep making a ruckus until you get results. If this were me, nothing and no one could shut me up about it until I got RESULTS.

John L
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When seconds count, the police are just minutes away....if you live in a "affluent" area.

Igor914624
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Based on the info provided, she is in the UK and they are not allowed to have guns. Here in Texas the cops would have been taking that guy to the morgue. He wouldn't bother anyone after that.

Load More Replies...
UncleJohn3000
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you buy a baseball bat for self-protection, do you lawyer a favor and get a ball and ball glove too.

Jessie
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly I would have moved out ASAP. Even if the police were to arrest him he would be in jail for several weeks, what happens after he gets out? Seeing OP might trigger him again and OP is clearly not safe in that house.

P.L. Packer
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad I live in the US and legally carry a lethal weapon. Yes, in a case like this I would use it without hesitation.

Khall Khall
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Call someone and say he's a danger to himself. That he said something about unaliving himself. That should at least get some traction. I'm not sure how to convert it into protecting her but, at least it would get people out there and get him some attention? Might even get him put on a 48 hour hold and some mental evaluation ?

Steve Robert
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's breaking and entering and, in the US, illegal. But that lock and door look so flimsy. In my building, the entire front door frame is metal and the doors a couple of inches of solid wood. A person is not going to kick the door in. But you have a crazie living next to you. Get out of there, and certainly press charges. You were lucky, but some other woman may not be so lucky!

kittylexy
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing gets attention faster than withholding rent and going to the media. There are also reinforced lock kits that can be installed but if it's a wooden door he could probably kool-aid man right through it if in some kind of manic state. I'd move ASAP.

Grazina Strolia
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are people saying *she* should move?? That's grounds for eviction for the assailant! He destroyed the landlord's property, and will likely bring down rent values for the whole building! OOOOOOOUUUUUT. Out out OUT.

G A
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mentally unwell people are not well served in the UK. Legacy of Thatcher and her 'Care in the community' plan so she could close state run mental hospitals and save money. Some people are a clear danger not just to themselves. Hope the OP is OK but I'd invest in an expandable baton and a rape alarm for protection. He might get evicted, but if he gets obsessive, horrible to contemplate.

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