Where do I begin? My neighborhood has turned into a mini-war zone. Yesterday was a made for TV movie in the works.

Early AM, Water Company guy turn ON the water to the empty house. Later, a power company truck was seen leaving the area. Around 1:00 pm Bad Girl arrived in HER vehicle with another gal. They pushed open the now broken driveway gate, drove inside, and the closed the gate and put on a brand new shiny chain and lock to secure it nicely. They were inside the house for over an hour.

Now for the good part: While they were in the house and several of us called the police, this happened:

Police said: We are no longer responding to that address. There is no owner, it's abandoned and no police will respond for any reason.

Neighbor girl was on dispatch and got pot ON HOLD, as she tried to argue the facts. Other neighbor called the Niece (we found her phone number) and got a recorded message: "We are not answering any calls from anyone." No way to even leave a message.

Just then, when you thought nothing was going to happen, I go out front with my trash cans and SEE just at the corner, police cars (lots) and lots of policemen standing in a circle having a pow-wow. I was hoping they were coming to get Bad Gal.

Surprise! They all got into TEN cars and zoomed up and parked right in front of MY house and the side street and Bad Gal's 'new digs', BUT...I love this part, they were NOT for her.

Seems that yesterday the 3 police cars at the rental next to the empty house had called police and they all spent over an hour between that house and the one across the street where the Landlord lives. Landlord is a huge 6'2", 450 Lbs guy who gets very violent when drunk. HE had been hassling the tenants and while 'chatting' with them, was holding an AX, and kept pounding it on the fence between the two factions. Renters got scared.

So building on THAT, then the huge police 'action' happened which turned out to be one of the Landlord's relatives (they all live 3 doors down and in another house behind, big clan of them. Somehow with all the AX stuff, the family itself got into a fight and one was injured and refusing to go to the hospital. So the police all rushed in with GUNS drawn, Rifles, etc. and police DOG. At least 10 cars with 2 guys each rushed the house. Eventually they got the 'injured' into an ambulance, arrested the Big Guy (who still had the ax and threatened to kill everyone and the dog) and off they went.

We spoke to a few police (after all they were parked right in front of my house, and found out the short version of the whole thing. They also reaffirmed that they would NOT be responding to ANY calls at the empty house, unless it was a FELONY in progress. We are dead in the water now.

Sooooo it was all over, Bad Gal gone for the night, police gone, EXCEPT at 8ish pm, 2 police arrived in front of Bad Gal's place and spoke to a guy wearing only shorts and a t-shirt. At 10:30 pm, ANOTHER RAID, one same Big Guy's houses and SHOTS FIRED! We heard 4.

Again Ambulance, fire truck, police dog OK (he had threatened to kill the dog earlier), whew. But as it turns out, the Big Guy was in Jail since the first call, for death threats and bodily harm stuff and some OTHER family member was then arrested. Still trying to find out which one of the huge family is it and WHO was in the 2nd ambulance and if they were shot or????

So it's all over then by 11:pm right? Nope. Bad Gal came back with a 'handyman' huge truck and they spent a few hours turning on lights and putting up MORE 'Camera' signs. I think maybe she actually is putting up cameras but can't tell yet. She obviously intends to occupy the house once again. All services on, her there in daylight, doing stuff, locking doors, fixing holes in fences etc.

New stuff to watch now. HER and the house next door with the Tenants who got death threats AND the Landlord's who are violent and are getting arrested.

I wonder if we will have ANOTHER police raid today?

I am sooooo tired. Wow!

Truth is, if the house is abandoned they are probably right, it is a waste of manpower for them to respond. I was just start a petition to have it torn down.

Busy night for you!

Gonna be a jumpy summer -Sorta, watch your back

Maybe you can create a game based on all of this?
Hmm, have I said this before? It felt like it when I wrote it ...
Anyway, the big guy seems a bit more dangerous if I haven't missed anything.
Hope everything will be alright in the end.

Well, I'm feeling better after a lunch with friends. Got home and the gal neighbor nearest the fun of the empty house had called. I found out that our gas company guy had been there waiting for Bad Gal to turn on her gas. He has to go INSIDE to check all appliances and furnace (light and inspect to see if safe). He was waiting and my neighbor stopped her car and told him that this girl was a SQUATTER. He was nice, but said he had to do what his work order said, but the gal was 15 minutes past the time she said she would be there. He actually went back to the neighbor's house after waiting a bit longer and said he sympathized with us but had to do his job. He left and said she would have to reschedule.

So I called the gas company. Asked for the Fraud division. They don't have one. Really? So the rep told me, "We don't deny service to anyone." Reallllly? I explained the squatter situation, that this girl NEVER pays her bills, etc. She said again, "we just provide the service to anyone who asks." What a dumb thing. No wonder our prices are skyrocketing! So that angle is gone.

Then I looked up How to get a Squatter out of a house. Interesting. Seems that the Squatter has MORE rights than even the OWNER of the house. Sigh. This one will never go away. Police won't help, utility won't help, owner won't help. Nothing left to do but go to the news media. Next big move I think.

Personally, I think this has been the next big move for a very long time. But at least now you have definitive statements from the police that they will no longer respond.

Getting closer and closer to calling the TV station. TODAY Bad Gal had the same striped hair girl with her but in her own car this time. Now we see what she drives. They locked themselves and cars in the yard behind the driveway gate.

Later a male (never saw him before) was walking around in the driveway on his phone, spoke to my nasty neighbor and gestured towards the house. In a little while Bad Gal and the other one came back from 'lunch'. He followed them in.

Then another car arrived with a girl and a guy. Guy handed some tools over to Bad Gal (I think a shovel and hoe or rake) and he left the girl there.

They were all having fun 'cleaning' when the neighbor up the street saw all 4 of them and called police (even though they said they wouldn't come). Well lucky, the dispatcher sent 3 cars. They went in, chatted with Bad Gal and in 5 minutes determined SHE was only CLEANING up the place and wasn't moving in. OH yeah? Stupid police, so stupid.

So they left here there with her friends, and an hour and a half later, they all drove out. How nice. At least it was a try at getting the police to believe she was squatting. What is WRONG with our police? They no longer protect and serve. I think the final report to dispatch was, "It's an on-going dispute with a neighbor, all is code 4". Duh.

I'm so disappointed at all this stuff. Tomorrow my task is to write a letter to the Niece and mail it to her address in SC and also to THIS house in case mail is being forwarded.

IF that doesn't do it, my other neighbor is willing to call the POLICE in her little town and tell them we need to get an urgent message to her and she isn't answering her phone. I'm sure the police would welcome something to do since the town probably has about 700 residents. Might be the highlight of their day.

Okie dokie, so much to tell and more later after I chat with a lawyer.

After the police chatted and left on Friday, without doing anything, the gang stayed awhile and left. That night the new boyfriend drove up very late with a 'work truck' and spent a long time with ladders, tools, whatever, going around and in the house, obviously fixing things. They were back on Saturday at 3ish and worked again but no truck. He had on the same blue jumpsuit with a logo and name tag. I think he must now or had worked for someone or maybe it's just his own business.

He turned off the water at the meter, took off the jumpsuit, changed shoes and away he and Bad Gal went in her car. Her SUV was packed to the hilt with numerous Rubbermaid huge storage bins. She uses those a lot to transport her loot. At 7ish pm, Bad Gal was back in the driveway, shining headlights, then walking around the house looking. Drove off, came back on side street, sat for 3 or so minutes looking, went back to driveway, looked and finally left. They returned at 3am! Did the same routine. Guess they were just checking for break-ins.

Sunday (this is the biggie folks), they were back at 3 pm again. This is a set schedule as the Swap Meet closes down around 2:30 and then they come back to load up with more goodies for the next day. So now Bad Gal and the striped haired girl are out in the yard, with a push mower (yes the OLD type) and clippers. One is trying to push the grass around and Bad Gal is clipping the overhanging trees near the back of the yard nearest the neighbors who are working WITH me to keep track of what's happening.

I hear shouting, I look out and see a man gesturing towards MY house and saying something about 'authority to be here'. My next door neighbor, who has a better view, saw it too and identified the guy as the hubby of my partner in crime who calls the police more than I do. She and her husband had detained 3 people months ago (which the police let go) so she's been watching the looting ever since. Hubby is very confrontational if pushed but he's at least on the right side of the law.

So the wife calls me and tells me that her hubby just confronted Bad Gal about who gave her the authority to be on that property, and SHE answered ME! Yes me...and gestured towards my house confirming what the hubby was asking if it was the person he knew. Wow! She said she had a signed paper giving her permission. From me? She wouldn't show the hubby. He called her a squatter and she said, "I ain't gotta talk to nobody" to which he responded, "Nice English" and went home to tell the wife to call me.

So NOW I'm MAD. I call the cops. I won't stand for someone using MY name to commit a crime. Dispatch tells me to 'calm down' and she is reviewing the 'story' on that house. She dispatches police, whew. Took them well over 1/2 hour, BUT when they arrived, so did HAZMAT! Two trucks. This fits because the day before, I'd written another email to the Hazmat nice guy and asked IF he could do anything to get her out (legally of course) and told him what was happening. I guess he listened.

So I stomped over when police arrived. Didn't care if Bad Gal saw me, or if her boyfriend (who she called after the confrontation with the hubby) saw me or anyone. I was so angry and wanted to SEE that paper that she either forged OR got from a lawyer using MY name as authority.

As I'm getting there, so is the gal up the street, in her wheelchair (she's had a stroke and is disabled). Here she is wheeling down the sidewalk 3 houses and around the corner to support me. Hubby was watching a football game and didn't want to leave. Ha.

So I am desperately trying to tell Hazmat and Police what's going on, using my name, etc. I've got copies of paperwork showing I don't have anything to do with this and the OWNER is listed on the papers (guy's niece). They won't take them and aren't listening as usual. THEN the neighbor (who is looking over the papers) asks if the phone number is the Nieces? I say yup, and she dials and says, HI is this....? And a miracle happens. I've got the Niece, the executor, temporary owner of the house ON the phone! We chat, she's nice but naive about all stuff around here. Small town gal, lives in la la land when it comes to anyone ever committing a crime.

So now we talk, I ask if she will talk to the police, she is more than happy. Police WON'T take the phone! NONONONONO. I try, I beg, I plead. This officer is a newbie. Never been here before, new to everything. Sigh. Finally, after I talk to the Niece and she tells me she's so sorry all this is happening and thanks me and all the neighbor's for their help, the 'other' policeman comes over and HE is one I recognize, he knows this story, and he asks what's going on. I tell him I have the OWNER on the phone and could he please please talk to her? He says SURE. They chat, I hear a Detective's name mentioned (same name that my neighbor was given a few days back but he never called her back after she left messages). I get the phone back, I chat a bit more, give the Niece my phone number and then she says, "I've been working with Detective...this week and I am going to PROSECUTE! I confirm, YES she is going to prosecute and I offered her all my notes and pictures and testimony if she needs it. She also tells me that the Hazmat guy has been sending her MY emails to him all along. Ugh. So she knows the whole story. I guess that's good since this last one is what got her to contact the Detective and start the process of getting rid of Bad Gal.

So here's where we left the day: Niece said her family is all fighting over the property since her uncle didn't care enough to provide any help. I thought it might be family contention. I was right. The case is going to litigation on the 26th of this month. After that, she will let me know what's going to happen.

In the meantime, Hazmat found NOTHING. So cleaned out now that everything that was a hazard is spread all over the city. I told them swap meet, at the curb transfers, up the street on hand trucks, etc. They just laughed. So they tried their best to help, but that angle didn't work, otherwise they would have made her and the entourage leave immediately.

Police couldn't kick her out either. She showed them a 'legal document' from a lawyer saying she had permission to be there. I asked if I could see it, but nope. Remember this all started today with HER telling a neighbor that I was the one who gave permission. So the policeman, went back to her, copied the lawyer's name, phone, address, law firm, etc and told me to call and check if it was a real document and if she had used my name to get it. Whew. Nice policeman for once.

So today, I will try my best to get that lawyer on the phone and see if she will tell me how in the heck this 'document' gives Bad Gal permission to occupy a house she doesn't own. I've never heard of such a document. If I find she used my name or signature on an old paper as proof, I will be charging her with whatever I can for that. I loudly announced it in the entire group so she would be sure to hear I would press charges. I also told everyone that the owner, the niece was pressing charges. I'm sure they all heard.

THEN, oh you thought it was all over for the day? Everyone official left, but Bad Gal, her boyfriend and the other striped haired girl stayed doing yard work until 8 pm, in the dark, with a flashlight? Fun thing is, only the one was working, and the other 2 were in the house, I'm sure, packing up as much loot as they could into the cars. When they left, all looked pretty good yard wise, not great but neat. AND they didn't come back yesterday. Hummmmm. I'm wondering why or if they just took the day off. I'm hoping they are thinking they should get out of Dodge now before the charges are levied. They did tell the police that they would be there for another week, or 'if not here you can find me just up the block'. That comment really makes me wonder since her boyfriend has twice now WALKED up the block to the house and didn't have a vehicle.

So another hour, I can call lawyer, hope to get some info and then will see where to go from here. I'm really crossing fingers that the lawyer says, "I never made any such document for her". Yup. Hope it's a forgery using her letterhead. THAT will be a felony and we all will be happy.

Resting up for the big phone call...

Can't WAIT!

Good luck! I wonder if they are going to try and rent it out to some unsuspecting soul!

Called Law Firm listed on her bio. THEY haven't SEEN her for over a year. THEY are looking for her too. Can't exactly say why but the nice guy I spoke to twice today hints that she left under strange circumstances. Oh boy! I gave him the address on the paper document as the police wrote it. He is going to try to call the phone number. I just looked up that address and it comes back to a POST off ice box at Mail Boxes Etc. Uhhuh. No law office there I think. Getter funner by the minute.

AND in the meantime, Hazmat stopped by again. It was the NICE guy I keep sending emails to. He was hoping to get in and do a more thorough investigation. He said they guys on Sunday only did a minor check. SHE wasn't home, but I gave him her phone number along with the lawyer's, the ex boyfriend, and the Niece in SC (I think he has that, but ya never know.

SHE arrived just now in her car with another person. Probably the same girl we keep seeing. Dunno how long or what they will be doing. Hazmat guy marveled at the EXPENSIVE and intricate locks she has put on everything. He's doing his best to try to find anything that will allow him to shut the place down and kick her out. Probably won't work a second time, but we are all grateful for the help.

Can hardly wait for the next thing to happen. It's getting GOOD!

This is indeed tasty!

Whatever will you do when it comes to a head?

Well Ana, I guess I will be totally bored. Actually 'trouble' seems to find me no matter how much I try to avoid it. I don't look for it, I don't start it, it just attacks. Then I have all the parties involved coming to me for advice and remedies. I guess it's my job in life.

Today again, Hazmat tried to contact Bad Gal. They had a marked truck and a van with a total of 3 guys. Two looked like supervisory or perhaps members of another agency like last year as support. They hung around for 1/2 hour looking and calling on their phones, but SHE never showed. I can hardly think that they would just show up randomly after asking for her phone number yesterday, and knowing that she had to be there to let them in. I think it's her saying, sure, I'll meet you, and then blowing them off. She did this numerous times last year about the Mercury spill. Called them, set up a time and never showed and then was unavailable on the phone for days.

I've been reading more California law on Squatters. It's a very easy thing to do and if this Niece doesn't get on the ball right now, she will have a nasty fight to get them out. They have already satisfied 3 of the 4 requirements to petition the court for ownership! All that's left is to pay the taxes. Takes 5 years of that, but who knows what will happen. Seems the Niece who I chatted with again last night CAN easily pay the taxes, but hasn't because she says she won't pay for somebody else to live in the house. I advised her to pay 'something' to show she intends to pay them. Otherwise, this Bad Gal will follow through on her promise to take that house.

Amazing stuff on the net about Squatting and how to do it step by step. Bad Gal is following it to the letter. At the very least, the Niece will be forced to legally evict them with a court order. If she will act now, all she needs to do is call the cops, fax them the ownership papers, and the police will just drag them out of the house and change the locks. So simple, but it has to be done within the first 30 days. I don't think the Niece is savvy enough to do that but I am trying to coach her on the Landlord laws and hope she listens. I asked her to immediately send them a '3 Day Notice to Quit' to get the process started and mail me a copy which I will get someone to nail to her door so she can't say she didn't get it. That will be step ONE.

Can't say my life is boring.

You need to write a book Sorta!

Actually the book idea is getting more tempting. I have all the 'notes' from day one and all I would have to do it put them all together and do some creative editing. Maybe when this is all over (will that ever happen?) I will give it a try.

Today, the Detective in charge finally called me. He was of course, detective-like cautious on what he said, but did listen and quoted me the unfortunate laws that allow a criminal all the rights while the good guys have none. He said only the legal owner of the property could 'evict' this squatter and it would have to be with a lawyer. He said the Niece had spoken to a lawyer (I think one from our area) that she probably will be using to settle all things. Until then, we wait and can't do anything to kick Bad Gal out. It's almost like he and all the other policemen, want her to stay. Less paperwork, no arrest to write up, etc. I can see their point, but if I was on the force, I'd be doing something different. Oh yes.

So here we sit, SHE has not been back to the house except for 20 minutes on Tuesday. In and out. Never came back, nobody came back. No midnight surveillance since Monday night. Nothing ysterday, except for not showing for Hazmat and nothing last night or so far today. No action. I'm really hoping that she got scared with all the stuff that happened Sunday OR her boyfriend gt wise to her 'plots' and figured out he didn't want to be involved in this. Maybe he is smarter than her? In any case, nothing going on and I hope it stays that way.

These new developments sound as though things are coming to a head. Perhaps after things calm down at nieces' end, thing will further progress at your end, Sorta.

Thing is, niece needs to follow through or she will have more problems on her hands than she can shake a stick at. It is virtually impossible to get rid of squatters once they fulfill all the requirements. What I don't understand is what happened to the warrants for Bad Gal's arrest on other issues?? She should be easy pickings for the police now. She may be an idiot, but she's certainly far from stupid as she seems to know exactly what she's doing.

Ah Bad Gal's warrant. Forgot that for awhile. She 'cleared' it about 6 weeks ago. Came up with 5000 bucks somehow (probably from the boyfriend or a bailbonds guy). No further warrants and probably has probation or something or they might have just dropped the charges with this new "don't arrest on a misdemeanor charge" bit we are dealing with. Dunno if it's in all states, but California sure is happy with it. Loads of people being let go from jail and all charges dropped. Yup. They are overcrowded, costing tax payer's money, so they let them go and then we have all the minor criminals running the streets again. Bad Gal is one of them.

As for the house: NO sightings of Bad Gal or any of her gang. No cars stopping by, looking, nobody near the house. It's eerie! Either she is on vacation, her new beau figured out she's a con artist, or she got scared away with Sunday's fun time. I am hoping she is smart enough to realize that when I say "I will prosecute her" and the Niece is going to prosecute, that she should head for the hills.

Still watching the house as are all the neighbors. Nothing nothing nothing. Ack! I think that's worse than seeing her over there.

My guess is she's just laying low for awhile.

Darn darn darn! I knew if I left the house that something would happen over there. Thank goodness for security camera recordings. I was gone 1 1/2 hours at the thrift stores. Drove home, passed the house and saw an unfamiliar small car locked inside the driveway fence. Got in the house and saw the Boyfriend, loading his car with 'stuff'. He was having trouble getting his hatchback to close and kept shoving things around.

Reviewed the tape and saw: Bad Gal had arrived, sat for 15 minutes in the drieway, then backed out. HE arrived right then and drove into the unlocked gate. She never even went close to the gate. She loaded several items into her SUV and when he got inside with his car, she LEFT. He stayed another 45 minutes loading and loading. Then he finally left in the opposite direction from where she went.

I told my neighbor guy about it, and he said he had walked by earlier and seen the boyfriend (in his blue jumpsuit) walking around with an electrical cord looking for somewhere to plug it in outside. I'm guessing it was a 'shop light' since he spent his time going UNDER the house through the access panel in front that they had carefully locked (never had a lock before) on Sunday when the police left.

I speculated that the extra 2 hours they spent was putting things UNDER the house through the hole in the bedroom floor so they could get them later and nobody else would get them (including police or hazmat). I think I was right. Bags and boxes and more stuff loaded into both vehicles. SHE spent very little time there, he spent more. Nobody really knows his 'past' so I guess he felt more secure.

Anyway, they are gone after one hour total. Might be back, dunno. Creepy, sneaky, evil people. Who steals from the dead????? And seems happy doing it?

New stuff happening: Boyfriend is BACK after an hour. Must have unloaded all the stuff and came in again, loaded up and gone again in 45 minutes. They might do this all night. Who knows. Fun to watch but ruins my faith in humanity (not all of it, just these terrible people).

Yesterday afternoon, saw the Boyfriend in his traditional 'work' blue jumpsuit roaming around the house. He was doing something with the water meter and outdoor faucet. Might have been fixing some plumbing inside? Hard to tell from my vantage point. But we saw no car, no Bad Gal, so I walked a bit up the block and lo and behold, not only does he have a huge 'work' truck AND a silver sedan, he also has a huge, shiny, blue with lots of chrome accents and all the bells and whistles, HARLEY! This guy either has money of his own from a thriving business, or given the fact that he came alone and is working on the house might be someone who takes over abandoned houses for free or convinces the owners to sell cheap. Not sure, but he sure seems to be working, not just puttering.

Before he finally motored off (so quiet you never heard the engine on the cycle!) he did a check of the front gate, then up on the front porch (which has the front door that hasn't been opened in 37 years) and did a 'check' of the doorknob and lock with a flashlight. Have no idea why the flashlight since it was bright sunny day out.

Then he was gone. No Bad Gal at all. Did I mention they got MAIL there for the first time in 2 1/2 years? Yep, mailman delivered things. I wish I could go over and look, Bad Gal checked the mail but it was before the mail arrived and the Boyfriend didn't check it at all. Hummmm. I'd for sure get arrested if I even touched that mailbox. Oh yes. Not gonna do it.

Today is litigation day per the Niece and hopefully we shall see or hear something soon about what's going to happen. It's so obvious that this duo considers the house theirs. Why put all that time, effort, and money into something you won't get any benefit of? Everything is so crazy.

At least we know that the Boyfriend is NOT a nice guy. He's just a crook and looter like Bad Gal. So sad.

So nothing happened Monday but Tuesday Bad Gal showed up alone, locked herself in, and was there almost 4 hours. She's on schedule for sorting, packing and loading for the Swap Meet which runs Friday-Sunday. She might have loaded the SUV already or she/he/both will be back tonight to load up for tomorrow. Always the same routine. Sad, but I figure she just considers this her 'job'. Everyone has one right? Hers is to loot dead guy's houses.

How much stuff did that guy have in his house anyway. Was he a hoarder? I'm throwing out all my stuff -just keeping essentials like cat dishes and games and consoles and 1 pc. And a few beat up clothes. And some good books my kids can't wait to get their hands on. Anyway Sorta, keep up the good work and posting. Sometimes it's like I'm right there helping you.

Ah yes Yankee! A hoarder just like on TV only he was a 'clean' hoarder. No garbage, nothing smelly, just dusty, icky, stuff piled almost to the ceiling in every room. Some rooms nailed shut because things were totally filling them. All windows nailed shut, only ONE door usable. A 1 foot wide path wound from the back door, through the dining room, kitchen, to the tiny living room where he had a couch. He slept on that, well actually on 1/3 of it. The rest was stacked high with books and clothes, etc. He was over 6 ft tall so he must have curled up in that little, one pillow wide corner of a 3 seat couch. Terrible. He had a full kitchen, but you couldn't see the stove, sink, etc. All piled high with stuff. His plumbing didn't work (septic tank clogged) so the friend/caretaker guy told me he went in a plastic bag and then tossed that in the trash can. I saw a plastic bag stretched over one of those 'riser' seats for the toilet. Ugh! The tub was filled with stuff and unusable. But, everything was sorta clean except for dust all over so thick you couldn't read book titles.

So the new stuff: Yesterday, Hazmat (2 trucks) and two guys in an SUV showed up. I walked over when the first two appeared since they were well dresses, had ID badges around their necks. Might have been realtors. Had to go see. Turns out they were Environmental Services (Hazmat) and they were all there to AGAIN try to find something wrong so they could kick Bad Gal out. The two Hazmat trucks arrived and as each came over, they immediately greeted me by name. The first two (executive types were surprised) SHE showed up after 15 mintues(amazing) and I left for the safety of my home. Interesting, that the Sunday I called the police and yesterday, SHE never made eye contact with me. I know she knows she's doing something very wrong. I would tell her face to face if I could get a face to face. Ha.

So 1 1/2 hours of scouring the house in booties and with all sorts of equipment, and nothing. They all left after giving her a 'paper' and that was that. She locked herself in again. While they were all searching, she was busy taking 'cleaning supplies' out of her car and some curtain rods. Yep, she's nesting. OR she's getting it ready for tenants. She spent SIX hours there yesterday, the longest ever. She will take money, kick them out and it will be interesting to see what happens next. I'm just praying the Niece gets in gear before all this happens, otherwise, the eviction will be so much more complicated.

In any case, it's not my problem anymore. Everyone knows what I know and it's up to the Niece (or other family member) to get their behinds out here, kick Bad Gal out and get this house sold. Hope it's soon. Tired of all the drama, but then again, what would I do without it?

One day, soon, it will all be over.

OH AND...there is hope. There was that other house up the blocks a bit that was on the news for having 231 police calls in two years for drugs, stolen stuff, lots of people in and out, fights, guns, etc. The little cul-de-sac it was on was quiet (at the end of a golf course) and the homeowners were fed up. they were getting the same response we were here, except the police did actually arrest people there for serious crimes. Of course, they just came back and did it again. WELL finally yesterday, the police and FBI and ICE, rushed in on a raid, arrested the owner (a 76 year old man) his wife (42) and another guy, for running a drug house and human trafficking. Guess they found whatever they could. Now they have boarded up the house and probably will confiscate it and demolish it (meth production). BUT that house was just SOLD last month! I found out it was for sale accidentally when a realtor called me about some houses for sale near me. In general chatting, he mentioned they had one for sale on that street, gave me the number and voila! I looked it up on the ma and it WAS that house.

So now, does the NEW owner get to keep it? Is the deal off for fraud? Did the new owner KNOW all about this house's history? We may never know. Just glad that everyone got arrested and it's over for that neighborhood. Now we work on OURS.

My word it's a heart attack a minute there and never boring. Just be careful as these people work 8 hours a day on their efforts. Probably more. Did all that stuff give him a secure feeling? Should research the psychology that prompts this behavour. I'm the opposit, except for cat stuff and games this house is bare and streamlined. And a few cooking pans, boy, you can see my shiney unused stove.

Actually, although I never got a degree in psychology, I had enough college credits for one. Just didn't go through the final class since I had to actually go to work for a living. According to most experts, Hoarding is a mental condition which causes the hoarder to collect and stash and live among all sorts of 'things'. These things are more important to them than their health, wealth, kids, relatives, friends, or any other considerations. To get them to 'part' with anything (even an old magazine) it causes a physical reaction of panic, fear, great loss, etc. Very strange condition. This old guy loved war memorabilia, books of all kinds, records, watches, clocks, radios. If the place had been organized, and things neatly put in closets and shelves, it wouldn't have been so bad, but the hoarders seem to just throw things in the nearest 'pile' and then forget it. It's the shopping and the possessing, more than the actual using, or displaying. I'm a collector, tons of stuff all over, but very organized and neat and usable. My friends marvel at my 'stuff' and bring other friends over just to see my house. Loads of fun, lots of stuff to look at and I rotate older things out to the storage shed (neatly packed and labeled) when I bring in new things. Someone, someday is going to have one heck of an Estate Sale when I go to that big Thrift Store in the Sky.

As for today's empty house fun: SHE arrived right on my heels as I drove in from shopping. I half think she was following me. I had barely gotten in the house, unpacked a few things when my neighbor called to say Bad Gal had locked her car behind the driveway fence. She had to have been right behind the mail truck and one other car that passed me as I turned into my driveway. It takes her forever to unlock and lock that chain around the gate. Wow. I wonder if she's watching me and tracking me? Should I be paranoid? Naw.

Last night, she arrived, stayed a few hours, left for an hour and then came back about 8:30pm. Then there were flashlights all over the yard and especially at the outdoor water faucet. It wasn't till 10ish that I realized that sometime, her boyfriend had sneaked in on his oh so quiet motorcycle, and was once again working on the plumbing. Off goes the water, minutes later, on goes the water. I'm pretty sure he's doing some plumbing repair or changes given the routine. Both left about 1/2 hour apart. Nothing this morning, but then again, it's Swap meet day again. They never appear in the mornings on Friday-Sunday. Probably will be back this afternoon. I'm getting anxious just waiting to see if THEY move in, or SHE moves in, or they rent the place out and several unknowns move in. Not my problem now that I know the Niece knows what's happening (even if she fails to act quickly). It's all in her hands. If I had 200k or so I'd make her an offer and do away with all this. I've suggested to neighbors that we all chip in some and buy it as a group, tear it down, and be done. No takers so far.

ok, I think we need pictures

Ditto what Winfrey said!

I'm probably going to jinx the whole thing, BUT Bad Gal and her boyfriend (and all her other gang) have NOT been back to the house since LAST Tuesday. Not this week, LAST week. It's been 10 days now and no sightings except for 'maybe' yesterday when an unfamiliar white Honda SUV drove into the driveway and someone was just getting back into it when I saw it. Maybe the boyfriend checking the mailbox? There are 3 of us watching the house night and day and I'm recording 24/7 to see if anyone goes near it.

It is Friday the 13th, so maybe today something big will happen. OH and 2 days ago, I got a nice 'Thank You' card from the Niece who I finally spoke to on the phone when we had the big police deal 2 weeks ago. She thanked me for being a good neighbor and friend to her Uncle. Strangely, no return address and no other 'news' about what's going on with the house on her end. She's a very very private person. Hope this is soon over. Everyone is getting bored with nothing exciting happening.

I wondered why this post was so quiet. Nice gesture from the niece. Are you hoping to get some more detailed info? Or is this how it ends? Something will eventually happen to the building but will you find out just by watching with no further contact from all those people you got to know? All that work you did, putting yourself out there, only be ignored or given some generic statement telling you that you are no longer involved. You'd have to make up the 'possible' end of the story.

So now this is Day 13 of the no shows. I'm wondering if they went on vacation to Vegas with all the money they are getting from looting? My neighbors and I am wondering if it's better that it's quiet over there and not knowing what's going to happen, or to just enjoy the daily drama with police, etc. We are getting bored!

Hopefully, since the Niece is a teacher, she is planning to come out here in person to handle things on Spring Vacation. I'm going nuts trying to figure out why Bad Gal has suddenly disappeared. At the very least, if she was sick or out of town, she would have her 'gang' over here looting for her. Too much stuff to pass up. Just not knowing is aggravating.

OH and I looked up Squatters on YouTube. Oh my! I thought we had it bad. Some of the news coverage of squatters in other places made me feel like small fish. Also learned a new 'tactic' which Bad Gal might be using. It's so easy. Just break into a place, start by fixing what you broke (door, window) change locks, start 'improvements' then file a 'Contractor's Lien' on the owner for all the WORK you have done. The forms are right on the net for easy filing. I am shocked. You can just make up stuff for the form, put in all the time you spent, the materials, the hourly rate, etc. and then just march into the courthouse and get it stamped by a CLERK! That's all you need. Bogus stuff. I'm almost positive she is doing this since her last comment was, "I'm going to get PAID for all the work I did". Uhhuh. She's a smart one. Don't have to be a contractor, anyone can file for unpaid wages for work done. How nice. Here are a few of the links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB_hjqZQ1UY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hbLul7vRt8

Maybe I'll find some empty houses myself...

Maybe she finally got arrested for something!

Maybe she will try this scam next.

Ana

Oh I can believe she will try something stupid like that. She probably already has the papers all filled out and ready to file. THAT would be great however, since it would be a felony charge. Would love to see her in jail. Better yet, see her dragged into a police car in handcuffs. Ahhh dream dream dream.

Day 14 coming up soon. Talked to 'old' boyfriend. He's heard nothing from or about her for months. She's moved on and he's the wiser for it. Kicking himself for being so gullible. She's a sly one. Even I was fooled at first. Career criminals are wiley. Just wish I knew what her next move is since she isn't coming to the house for so long and isn't in jail anywhere and no warrants out on her. Driving me nuts.

The lull in activities is over. SHE appeared yesterday morning at 9:30 am. She was quickly joined by a chubby gal who got dropped off, then a skinny gal who parked her own car on the street. BOTH of the gals I KNOW. They are the exact two who I confronted eons ago about taking the trash bags (they were in a van). They told me that Bad Gal sent them over. So I knew they knew her. They are ALSO the same 2 that appeared in a van, looted a bunch of small stuff after casing the house the day before, and got caught by the cops. This was the time they just made them dump their 'tote bags' back over the fence and let them go.

Soooo now they are back with Bad Gal, who, btw, insisted she had no idea who they were at the time. Oh sure. They were in there until 1:30ish when a new male arrived. I didn't even see him since I was out shopping, but in reviewing the security tape, I saw he parked across the road (on my side) and walked over. He was there for about 15 minutes when another big van pulled into the driveway and immediately HE and the little gal came out almost running, each got to their car and raced away. Seemed very strange.
The consensus of opinion is that someone over there, or someone who arrived has a police scanner and warned them to leave. Probably gave the drug stash to those two for safekeeping. All of them are known drug users/sellers according to the police.

Bad Gal stayed chatting with whoever was in the van and in about a minute, 2 police cars zoomed in. Dunno who called them. Not me or neighbor or other gal up the street. Wish I knew. But the police talked to the van's driver who then backed out and left. Bad Gal retreated to the back 'stoop' and when I drove home, the first thing I saw (before reviewing the tape) was her sitting there CASUALLY eating a sandwich, drinking a soda, and waving some papers at the cops. Cops looked, and left. That was it. I really want to know what papers allow a SQUATTER to stay on someone else's property. Geez!

So now she's still there with the fat gal all locked inside the gate. She is compulsive about locking and unlocking that gate. Nobody can just walk in to get to her. All was quiet and then a male drove up, got out, was let in (unlock, lock) and he was there to pick up the fat gal. They left, Bad Gal stayed for another 1/2 hour and then locked up the place and left about 8:30 pm. It was a long day for her.

Now the fun part. She drove up the side street, made a U-turn, parked at the corner blocking traffic, got out, went to the mailbox, took something out, and then...wait for it...did a VICTORY DANCE in the street! Yes she did. I was amazed. It must have been something she had been waiting for. Probably the first bill for utilities that would show HER name at that address. Further proof in her case to be living there. All she needs to sign up for all sorts of benefits from the city. Lucky her.

So today, I'm recording and watching again. Still no further contact from the Niece, except for that Thank You card with no return address, and no other 'news' about her intentions for solving this problem. I really wonder if this will just continue forever. It's so awful when the police show up and do nothing. Can't be that way all over can it? I think some cities would do more to get squatters out.

OH and the 'crime rate' statistics for our area? LOW very LOW. Of course they are since NON of the hundreds of calls for burglary, etc at that house are ever reported. They never are put into the statistical data so we are so happy we have NO crime.

Aha! THEY were back today at 4:00 pm. A neighbor called me since I'd been not looking all day. HE was in and out under the house again. SHE was locked in tight in the driveway with her vehicle. HIS vehicle was parked outside in front of the neighbor's. It was the Panel Truck I'd seen him driving way back when.

This time I was able to get my camera and take a picture of it, and used my binoculars to get all the 'info' on it. It's a Mobile RV repair truck from a local shop, just 3 blocks West and 3 blocks North of me. I know it well. It has the name and phone number clearly painted on the truck. HE was loading it with about 14 huge bags and boxes of stuff. Some were so heavy he had to drag them across the driveway to get to the truck. Dunno if it's good stuff or just junk to be tossed, but they sure were working hard to bag up that many things.

Then he went back into the yard and locked himself in with Bad Gal and they are still there. Probably loading her SUV with the really good stuff since that happens just after dark. Same schedule today.

I called the guy who used to live with the old man, and used to be the boyfriend of Bad Gal and he called the police. The dispatcher told him, "I will tell our Sergeant and see if he wants to respond'. Uhhuh. I bet we don't see any police coming over. I've got the local police scanner on my computer and so far I haven't heard anyone dispatched to that address.

I get so discouraged when someone calls about a crime in progress and the police just don't care enough about the people they are sworn to Serve and Protect to even drive by. I'm sure it's not like this in all cities. I don't feel safe anymore and knowing the police don't care, makes it really tragic.

I'm still waiting to see a police car...insert Jeopardy Music Here...la la la.


They're here...
And Later that night: Police finally showed up 1 1/2 hours later. One car at first with spotlight and honking horn trying to get Bad Gal's attention, but she wasn't coming outside. Second car arrived and 2 officers went over the fence, spotlighted the entire area, and finally managed to get HER to come outside for a pow wow. Neighbor walking by from the store called me to say he saw they all in a group by the back steps. They spent a total of 20 minutes there, (10 just trying to talk to her) and then left as usual. Nothing happened. Bad Gal stayed and left at midnight. Geez! If they had really wanted to do something, they should have come within the hour when the boyfriend's 'clearly marked' truck was still there all packed with STUFF.

This will probably end with Bad Gal and the new Guy buying the house and we will have them as neighbors forever.

If they bought the house, it can't be for doing anything good. Maybe the cops have had to wait until a more serious crime like producing, buying and selling illegal drugs can be proven before finally 'taking the operation' down. I'm not defending their lack of action so far yet maybe she's a little fish in a much larger pond and that's who they really want.

Just be careful out there, Sorta. If what you suspect comes true, you may have to at least pretend to be a good neighbor. Please don't let this affect your health. Your posts about this have been interesting and intriguing, but don't let them end badly. OK?

Well, my 'end' date of hoping this will all be over is Spring Vacation. About 4ish weeks to go. IF the Niece, who is the executor and named 'contact person' or 'owner' of the property does not appear, I am going to dig a hole and crawl into it. School should be on vacation (she's a teacher) and by now the lawyer should have had time to file papers, etc. She, the Niece seems not to want to keep in touch, or share information, so I'm just holding back the urge to call her and ask what the heck she is doing. Our 2 conversations on the phone were pleasant and hopeful, but now, as usual for the past 2 years, nothing seems to be happening.

I guess she's just not a 'sharing' person like all the neighbors here who are desperate to help solve this mess.

Sunday, the last time we saw anyone there, and the police came, and nothing happened as usual, Bad Gal stayed alone in the house until midnight. I checked the 'lights' inside the next night and noted which ones were on. Last night I went out to see something and noticed, that despite seeing no one around since Sunday, that DIFFERENT lights were on. Either they have someone in there who is being very covert, or they have installed some light timers. Tonight's project will be to see if different lights are on at different times. Easy to check. Walk down 2 houses, stand across the street and look. Sure wish I'd see the utility companies shutting off all the stuff. That would be so nice. Just a matter of time. She will never pay the bills which, although she says they are in her name, are probably in the deceased's name and are being delivered to the Niece instead.

Until something major happens...Sorta Blonde's Neighborhood is on Vacation.

Vacation is over. Bad Gal and Boyfriend and several other people are all at it on a regular schedule now. They come in once a week, cars pull up, girls get out and go inside. No men except for the Boyfriend. Last week, Bad Gal had 3 other girls with her for over 8 hours.

They have now accessed the very first boxes Bad Girl packed up way back in the beginning. The GOOD stuff as she called it. It's mostly antique china, silver, all his really valuable watch collection and tools, mechanic's tool sets, rare old books, the BEST clocks, probably some other neat stuff (lots of war medals, etc). I know what's going out to the swap meet now by the empty and carefully folded and piled cardboard boxes. She is emptying all the stuff, getting rid of the boxes but I recognize those boxes from day one of her 'endeavor'. I was over there long ago and she was so excited to show me all she was doing and the boxes her 'brother' had given her. They are all marked with the moving company for which he works. Easy to spot.

So now we only have to watch one day a week. The worst of all this, is I have real anger for our police force who won't do anything to stop Bad Gal. All sorts of reasons, none of which I agree with, but I figure that cutting locks and chains and tearing boards off windows, then replacing the locks with your OWN, and then going into the house and garage and sorting and carting away and selling ALL this man's possessions is a crime. Used to be anyway, burglary, stealing, breaking and entering? Our police don't consider them crimes anymore. I have no idea why. And all the time, miss Bad Gal is prancing around like the queen of the neighborhood, safe and secure that nothing will happen to her. This week, she came back TWICE. We figure it was a banner day at the swap meet and they ran out of the good stuff and had to load up again.

We need some DEVINE intervention. Police won't help, maybe someone 'higher up' will. I'm going to give it a try.

THEY are back. Bad Gal, the boyfriend and another girl. And now, a TOILET appears on the driveway. They must be replacing one that doesn't work in preparation for moving in or renting it out. How nice.

My curious nature got the better of me and I finally wrote a letter to the Niece (who I spoke to on the phone in January) and told her I just realllly needed to know if SHE gave permission to anyone to clear out the house. She might have been fooled by Bad Gal using another name etc. I will now wait for an answer IF she ever does. Very private person, but I explained I knew she had no reason to trust anyone about anything, etc. Hope she writes back and says she did or didn't give any permissions to do anything with the house.

It's getting boring with NO police over there in a long time!

My bet, Sorta, is that the Niece doesn't and hasn't really cared about the property. I've a feeling that she cooperated just enough to be rid of it. Unfortunately, whatever bad blood was between her and her uncle and/or family, will probably be a forever mystery. Also, unfortunately, despite everything you've done to try to bring justice to a situation that is very wrong, in the end, Bad Gal will get to do what she's wanted to do all along and earn ill-gotten gains from the old man's stuff. Since you're not getting any satisfying attention or conclusion from the local authorities, you might consider one of 3 options; let it go, get in touch with some TV magazine show, or publish. Don't think I could do the first option, esp if I've put in as much time, concern and effort into it. The other two would mean being willing to go outside of Sorta's Neighborhood to tell the larger world.

If your calling on higher forces for some guidance, consider that things happen in our lives for a reason. I truly believe that. This all happened right in front of you, so what are you going to do about? Scary questions, thought? I can't picture you merely throwing up your arms with a shake of the head and saying, Oh well, that's that! You've been passionate about this all along, otherwise GB most likely would not have learned about your neighborhood, at least not to the extent that we have.

Sorta, I encourage you to do whatever is going to you bring you some sense of relief or of having done the right thing.

You know we're here for you.

Thanks for the encouragement, butterflybabe. Sometimes I get discouraged, but I'm not giving up yet. Sent that letter off today to the Niece, after a re-write to be sure it was short and sweet. Just filled in a few details, made sure the letter wasn't 'pushy' and asked for a simple yes or no on did she give any permission to anyone to be doing all this stuff. Made it clear we don't need any explanation. She's giving the impression of very private person, not willing to 'share' what's going on. But I'm appealing on behalf of all of us here who care and have repeatedly called the police.

As for TV or other news sources, I'm holding off to see the 'final' result. I'm having lots of 'support' with watching, etc., but when it comes to actually DOING something (flyers, media, concerted effort) they all just drop back.

Soon something will happen. If they are replacing the toilet (lying on the ground outside now) and fixing up windows, etc., it's not much longer till someone moves in or puts up a for rent sign or something. I'm really hoping they rent the place out to someone who is unsuspecting, and then when the police arrive, and kick them out (or whatever with the legal stuff) that those people will sue Bad Gal and her friends for fraud. My worst fear is that the Niece is working WITH Bad Gal and is going to sell them the place. Hope not since it would be terrible but then they are quiet and we KNOW what they are capable of. Watch is on for anything strange.

Interesting thought, Sorta, about considering the Niece and Bad Gal actually in this together. It would explain why the Niece has been so aloof. Might also explain why police aren't doing much of anything. Now it's got me wondering if and how the two ladies actually know each other. If that's so, it would have been nice for the Niece to be up front with you about it.

I'm sure you'll continue to keep us posted.

Nah, I don't think so. Bad Gal is just too much of a low-life - she is a squatter.

Yup, Drac is right. The problem here is the start of all this drama and how it's progressed. Simple facts, not so simple solutions. Here's a summary of the entire Saga for anyone who hasn't been tuned in.

Decedent lived in that house from 1960.
Friend (who I call the caretaker of the house) lived with Old Guy for a few years but not when Old Guy died.
Friend came over daily to work on old cars and go to the casino with Old Guy.
March of 2012 Old Guy was getting thin and wan. He was early 70's but still active.
In March, Friend found him on the floor unconscious, but all doors were bolted from the inside.
Friend called police and ambulance.
Police broke down the door at which time Old Guy threatened to KILL anyone who entered. He DID have several guns.
Friend also called the first name in Old Guy's address book, not knowing who else to call locally for him.
The 'other' friend came over and took charge since the Caretaker/friend is a bit mentally/emotionally challenged and doesn't deal well with crises.
Old Guy went to hospital with dehydration, etc. and possible head injury from the fall and being on the floor for 3 days, stuck in his 'hoarded house'. He asked Friend/caretaker to please stay in the house. Friend was afraid of the hoard and didn't.
Old guy was put in rehab, was getting better BUT to come home, the house had to be cleared enough for Social Services to approve it for living.
Friend/caretaker brought in his girlfriend (now known as Bad Gal), since she was a registered nurse/caretaker and she volunteered (actually begged) to be the one to clear the house and take care of Old Guy when he came home. She was getting herself a JOB.
Friend/caretaker had no idea Bad Gal was a con-artist who preyed on old people and had been arrested for theft/forgery/drugs.
Hindsignt: Bad Gal was the one who approached Friend/caretaker in a bar, thinking he had money since he always talked about the Casinos, etc.
Friend/caretaker never suspected Bad Gal until I pointed it all out to him in the past few months.
Old Guy came home, but not to his house (wasn't cleaned yet) and went across the street to a 'rooming house' where the very first night he slipped on the concrete floor, hit his head, and was rushed back to the hospital, from which he never returned, and eventually went to a hospice care home and died in November of 2013.
Meanwhile, Bad Gal and the address book friend were at each other, fighting for 'control' of Old Guy's stuff.
The neighbors were oblivious to the thefts of Bad Gal, but saw the address book friend stealing and a ton of 'break-ins' by persons unknown at the time.
Bad Gal blamed address book friend, and vice-versa. Lots of angry things going on.
Meanwhile, friend/caretaker stayed away from everything, unable to cope with anything and only visited his friend in the hospital once in a while because he feared address book friend (who had called the cops on HIM).
Friend/caretaker befriended me as someone to talk to and get advice.
Bad Gal pretended she was a good friend and I believed her only because I knew friend/caretaker who is a totally honest and nice guy. I was soooo wrong.
WE were all wrong, and Bad Gal's friends (who she brought into my house a few times) told me of Bad Gal's drug use and history.
Bad Gal's friends also were drug users and had 'histories' but not for stealing or anything but minor drug stuff.
Old Guy's Niece finally came out to clear the house and put it up for sale just before old guy died, BUT soon after, Bad Gal, faked a HAZMAT situation (deliberately spilled a tiny bit of mercury) and the house sale was put on hold since the HAZMAT team locked it up tight. It was a ploy to allow Bad Gal and friends to steal which keeping the 'other' friend away.
Niece was polite, but not overly friendly and definitely didn't want any help or advice from neighbors. I tried, talked to her, invited her over to use bathroom, get cool drink etc., and she politely ignored me.
So Niece left, house was locked up, it continued to be looted, Bad Gal kept in touch with me, and then she moved in into the house in Early 2014 and was there a month (stealing and selling all she could) until I managed to get the HAZMAT guys to contact police and Niece and they booted her out.
Found out from Bad Gal's 'friends' that Bad Gal had taken RENT from 2 of them and then had a physical fight over 'loot' and kicked them out keeping their money. They came over to ME to see if I could get Bad Gal to give them their money and possessions which were locked in the house. I saw the scratched faces and arms and I told them I had NO control over the house or HER.
All continued with the break-ins and looting in 2014 and then Bad Gal told me she had a new boyfriend, he was an 'investor' and owned several properties around here, and they were going to make a deal with the Niece to clean out and buy the house.
I advised not to do that (now knowing her history) but then this January, she started her MOVE.
Bad Gal and new boyfriend have systematically looted the old guy's house once a week but never moved in.
New boyfriend seems to be actually FIXING it up, doing repairs to plumbing, etc. in preparation for either moving in, or renting it out to others. Bad Gal shows a 'forged' paper to police when they come and they leave her alone.
Niece and I spoke on the phone twice. Once when I called the police about Bad Gal using MY name as giving her permission to do all this, and the second time when Niece called me to get my address and email and thank me for helping out.
Niece, Old Guy, and his older brother and a sister or two and probably other relatives are all FIGHTING each other over the 'estate' since there was no will.
Everyone in that family hates each other. Old Guy hadn't spoken to anyone in his family for 40 years! It's a wonder the Niece would even consider coming here to try to help, all the way from SC. (He did however give her 5k to help out her expenses).
Niece says things will be settled soon (litigation of estate) but she has not contacted me since the 2nd phone call except for a Thank You, card in Mid February.
I get the impression the family is very private, trusts no one, and doesn't know how valuable this corner property is since they are not smart enough to put someone, anyone in charge to protect it. Niece thought 'boarding it up' would be enough, but that only lasted one night.
Very naive people all around.
I mailed a letter to the Niece on Friday and will wait a week to see if she calls me or sends email, etc. Asked her IF SHE contracted with ANYONE to be in that house or fix it or take things etc. I'm pretty sure she will say NO, but we all want to know. It's a case of 'head in the sand' and 'simple people not up on the real world' and 'don't bother me with facts'.
I seriously doubt that the Niece would 'link' with anyone, least of all Bad Gal (who she referred to as that woman as she spat out the words in a nasty voice).
She also wanted to know how I knew Bad Gal, probably trying to see if I was in on all the stealing and other stuff. I assured her I had no link to her at all except through the friend/caretaker who was not too bright.
So there's the short version until now.
Latest update is another MALE now with them who looks like he is a 'handyman' but seems to be a friend and knows how to unlock the gates, etc. They spent time there last night looking at the windows, and yard, and probably shopping for 4 hours and came back with 'heavy' stuff per the neighbor.
More updates when things happen. They seem to be getting ready to do something BIG.
Keeps me busy when it gets boring.

Got to admit that I came in after the first bunch of postings. Also, forgot how this all started and how you got involved, Sorta.

I will definitely continue to check in to see how this all plays out

They say that novels are based on truth which makes sense to me; and now I know why. Unbelievable!

Truth is stranger than fiction, that's for sure!

Lots of action last night. Cars in and out for about 3 hours after dark. Dunno what they were all doing, but at one point, there were FOUR cars (Bad Gal's included), playing leap frog in the driveway. Might have been some 'transfer' of goodies in the house under cover of darkness. I am assuming only large items remain (furniture, appliances, heavy stuff). So far nothing today except a 'mysterious' trash can from our local trash service showed up outside the fence. Might have been delivered so they can start putting out trash since they stole all the other cans while dragging away all the loot in the past year. She would have had to pay a lien from the trash company of over 200 bucks to get the service started again.

Only real fun today was we identified the white car that had been 'lurking' in the neighborhood since Friday. We thought it was a 'lady of the evening' and her pimp, but it turns out that the two guys were waiting for the UPS TRUCK! UPS guy went to front gate, couldn't get in, nobody home, left a 'claim ticket' attached to the mailbox and left. 15 minutes later, up drives the 'suspicious' car, guy gets out, crosses the street in a hurry, yanks the ticket off the mailbox, runs back to the car and zooms away. Something was going to be delivered that NEEDED a signature or the UPS guy would have just tossed the package over the fence. Small bundle in his hands, maybe paperwork. Sooo now we wonder, are the 2 guys associated with Bad Gal, OR are they just some guys who saw a 'vacant' house and had contraband delivered and watching daily so they could grab it before the residents. Gonna be fun to find out who they are and why all this cloak and dagger. Might be just another disconnected story and nothing to do with Bad Gal. Oh boy!

I've really gotta get started on that Novel!

OK, time for some popcorn again!

And yet another TWIST:

Friday night, Bad Gal was there with the 'new' guy. Not the new boyfriend. He had been there for a few minutes but left when Bad Gal drove up with the 'new' guy.

Saturday morning, an illegally parked vehicle got moved and we were surprised to see that the chain link fence (which had been cut for access) and then mended by Bad Gal was once again wide open. Also the lattice access panel to under the house (with access to the bedroom through a huge hole in the floor) was unlocked, wide open, and the lock and a large rock were sitting up on the porch above it. Looked strange as if I were a burglar, I'd just kick in the panel which would have torn the tiny screws of the 'latch' off. Whoever did the 'break in' used a ROCK? Looked suspicious as did the fence gap since Bad Gal had used STRONG wire to close the gap AND NO SIGN of that wire was on the ground or anywhere, but the previous nylon ties (that got cut) were still there. VERY suspicious.

Sunday night, after not seeing anyone over at the house since the previous Friday night, Bad Gal arrived with another small girl and they locked themselves in the driveway gate again as usual. No more than 10 minutes later we had 6 police cruisers all over the place, with flashlights, guns, etc. One actually parked across my driveway. How fun. It usually takes them 20-40 minutes to arrive.

They spent over 1/2 hour looking from outside the fence (with Bad Gal in tow) and finally entered the gate and went into the house and garage and obviously found nothing. They left, Bad Gal stayed another 40 minutes and left.

Now the good part: The ex boyfriend called police dispatch (he had driven by and seen the police) and the dispatch (who knows him and me now by the house number) told him that Bad Gal called about a burglary, someone in the garage, a confrontation, and someone was INJURED. Uhhuh.

Well from the time she arrived, I was outside watching and listening. Sound carries this way and any noise (talking, yelling, hitting) can be clearly heard. Nothing happened that I heard or saw, except her arriving then the police. Also notable was that the new boyfriend, who was always here with her, was nowhere and did not appear at all. Last time the police were there, she called him and he came right over.

So now we are pretty sure that she concocted a story about the burglar and injury, and the fence and lattice access panel were 'staged'. Possibly reason is getting money from maybe renter's insurance for all the tools and electronics that were 'stolen'. I can see it now.

So we are happy the action is on again and there will be more fun to watch. It's Sunday, so we figure she and or the boyfriend will appear this afternoon or evening. Strange that after a 'break in' and theft that NO ONE came the day after or today to board up the garage window or fix the fence. I'm amused.

OH and dispatch told the ex boyfriend not to worry, because there were 'meetings held' and this address is a LOW PRIORITY on all calls and they are to be taken 'with a grain of salt'. Wow! Maybe the police really don't believe her. I hope they see what's going on even if they don't do anything.

That is quite a TWIST!

And should an actual burglary or injury take place?? It would seem to me a better solution would be to contact the Niece, arrest anyone in the house, and have a big meeting to establish the true owner of the house and who has rightful authority to be in/at the house. Those who have been in the house without authority are to be arrested and charged with as many counts of burglary as the number of time calls have been placed to the police. The actual owner of the property should then be given 30 days to dispose of said property and clean out the house and bring it up to livable code. I know 30 days isn't enough time but it would put a fire under the person who actually owns the house.

And yeah, it's all wishful thinking.

I like the way you think, Homer. Just wish real life would follow your lead. It's been a nightmare the whole time. I finally wrote a letter to the Niece Friday a week ago. Just explained what's happening now with the police and Bad Gal and asked IF she would please say yes or no, that someone in the family 'authorized' all this 'looting'. So far no answer, but I pretty much figured I wouldn't get any.

Police wash their hands of it (orders from the 'top'), Agent in charge (yes they finally have one) says 'it's a civil matter', 'owner will have to get their own lawyer' and start an eviction. Don't know how since nobody is living there, they are only looting it. So disappointing.

Found out yesterday, from neighbor lady up the street who has a good view of the back yard, that Bad Gal and boyfriend also removed the bars from the garage window, probably when they cut the fence and did the opening of that panel under the house. Makes total sense now. Set up the place to look like a burglary, call the cops with the 'someone assaulted us game' and get the police here in an instant. She knew they were not going to come just for nothing. It's been told to all of us. Feign injury and she probably also said there 'might' be a weapon. Yeah. Smart cookie.

Also amazing, is the bars are back up (right after cops left) but the fence is still wide open. You would have thought she would want to mend that immediately or the next day. It's been since last Friday! She knows nobody will go near that place except her crew. She knows all the crooks around here. Lived with a group of gang/drug dealers for a long time a few blocks away and those are the people we saw looting and now helping her 'clean' the place. Same ones that I have pictures of and on video, which the police really don't care about.

Annoying to say the least, I've lost faith in our local police. Other cities around us are NOT the same. They are arresting and having training programs for citizens on crime prevention and a great one on when to shoot or not in various situations. Awesome program. Some on video simulations and some on REAL staged traffic stops etc. where the criminal has a gun or acts crazy. Wow. Wish our guys were so good. Ours just stand around and talk about the latest football game until their 'time limit' is satisfied and then they call in that they are clear of the call. I know, I've watched them, heard them, AND I have a 'scanner' app on my computer where I can listen to the calls and hear when they clear. Geez. It's like a country club gang. Heaven help us if something really awful happens. But I must say, not ALL our police are like that. It's the younger, new recruits for the most part. Older guys are more willing to talk, do things, explain. Don't know when all this will end.

Still hoping the Niece calls or writes back, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to be bothered with the whole thing. Letting 300,000 clear profit just go is beyond me. Lots of offers to buy the place, but the family just isn't doing anything we can see.. Still haven't paid the taxes for LAST year and probably won't per the Niece.

Waiting for something to happen. Nothing all weekend. Weird. Maybe the 'thrill is gone'? Or maybe they have everything they could get out of the house and now are deciding what to do next.

More excitement when it happens. Stay tuned.

I knew something good/weird would happen today.

I ran smack dab into BAD GAL in Harbor Freight Tools! No avoiding the meeting. She looked like she wanted to run I thought quickly and said, "It's my new neighbor!" "I'm so glad I ran into you!" She relaxed we chatted for a long time. I pumped her for information, she of course gave me all sorts of stuff she never figured I would know the 'real' story on. Such fun.

All lies, she's a pack of lies. Told me all about the 'break in' and her story was so different from the Dispatch story I almost laughed. She acted like she had no idea about the two guys who were waiting for the UPS delivery BUT let it slip that she had seen that car several times and described it perfectly. EXCEPT, she was never around for any of the time THEY were. Oh so good to hear they are HER group.

She also told me (accidently) that the paper from the lawyer is based on MY paper that I suspected she was using all along. She tried to avoid telling me the 'source' but it all came out eventually. I let her know the police gave me the info on the lawyer she had used and I checked and reassured her that the lawyer was a good lawyer in good standing, etc. She ate it up. BUT then she quickly said, "Oh but I'm not using that lawyer now". I think she was trying to make sure I wouldn't dig further about her since I'm pretty sure now that she forged that paper.

AND the 'new' lawyer, seems to be the lawyer the Niece retained to serve the eviction papers. Bad Gal would never have gotten his name and his location of the office IF she hsdn't gotten something from him. Uhhuh. Only way. So now we know that the Niece has indeed retained a lawyer and Bad Gal has gotten something from him. Oh boy!'

Lots of other stuff, like she is blaming every neighbor for stealing things from the house, not to mention the ex boyfriend who was stealing all along. Geez. Does she really believe anyone thinks everyone EXCEPT her is stealing? I just played along. She thinks I'm so stupid.

AND she told me ALL the furniture has been stolen from the house. Yes she did. Which means that SHE took that all out sometime too! Lots of 20/30/40's solid wood stuff. I told her I never knew there was furniture since it was buried under the hoarded stuff.

So now we wait again. I asked why she hadn't moved in yet, and she said she can't until the plumbing is fixed. Ie, the toilet is not working even with the NEW one. Seems the main sewer pipe OUT, which is under the house is broken and leaking all over. I told her not only that, but the house is still on a septic tank which probably has collapsed since the old guy was using plastic bags for his toilet for years. She was shocked. I guess she didn't know the house wasn't on the city sewer. That's a 12k hookup charge IF they decide to do that not counting all the plumbing supplies and work hours to replace ALL the sewer pipe to the street connection.

This was a FUN day. AND she has no idea I called the cops on her in January. She thinks it was the people up the street. Wheeee!
She's given me lots more 'details' about what she's done there and it's all perfectly in line with what I thought.

I'm a happy camper today!