Sorta's Really Mixed up Neighborhood

OK, it's time for a new thread here. The old one is way too long and involved and just when I was bored with nothing much happening, WHAM!

Last night at 9 pm, Bad Gal arrived with another girl. They hurriedly locked themselves inside the gate and at the very same time, a HUGE Pace arrow (probably 30 footer) old motorhome drove up on the side street. House is a corner lot, so they have two ways to go. Then there was banging and shouting and all sorts of activity with flashlights, Bad Gal, the other girl and the male (who I think is her new new boyfriend) who came up in the motorhome. They were walking all over the back yard, spotlighting the fence, house, etc.

They were VERY loud, attracting as much attention as they could. Bad Gal had her 'taser' out and was testing it. It's a small one looks like regular mobile flip phone. Very cute, probably not legal. They stood around doing who knows what for an hour, until the neighbor a few doors up from me yelled at the, "Get out of the yard!". Bad Gal immediately yelled in a definite ME voice, "It's MY HOUSE! I'll do what I want, there was a break in, the garage door is open and so is the dining room door." To which the neighbor replied, "Then I'll call the police". Bad Gal said, "I'm handling it, mind your own business."

So I'm assuming that it was another faked break in and designed to get as many neighbor's as witnesses. NO police ever came from 9 pm until midnight. And no police this morning.

In that time, Bad Gal went around the corner with her car (emergency flashers going) and tried to jump start the motor home. No luck. THEY tore down about 20 feet of chain link fence and I guessed right, this morning, at SIX am, they were all back, got the motor home started and drove it INTO the back yard right up against the house!

Now we have a messed up fence (they sorta put it back slightly) and a huge motor home (which I think someone intends to live in) and they also have a dog named 'Fugly" Oh how nice. Dog seems friendly.

It's illegal around her to live in a motor home on the street or in a yard. Probably won't do any good to complain given all that isn't being done already, but this is a NEW chapter in an already messy situation.

So Bad Gal insists it's HER house, we don't know anything about anything, since the Niece (who I took the time to write a nice note to asking for info) and we can just sit and watch and wait.

More fun and games AND no sign of the boyfriend/fiance who hasn't been seen for 4 weeks now. Interesting. Maybe he figured it all out and Bad Gal's behavior finally got to him.

The nearest neighbor older mother of couple in the next house over is right there watching it all. Neighbor gal called me to ask if I would call the Niece and tell her what's going on, and I reminded her I had already written a letter and got no response. So I convince HER to call. Maybe she will get some action. I still think the Niece has me and the Bad Gal group linked and doesn't trust me either. Can't blame her.

Guess I'm back on recording action and watching the new group doing whatever they are doing. Never ending story.

Who pays taxes on this house. Do you think bad girl and niece are in this together. And to think -nothing happens here.

Wow Sorta, it's never dull!

Amazingly enough, NO ONE pays the taxes. When I finally got to speak to the Niece on the phone in January, she said, "I'm not going to pay taxes for someone else living there!" Stupid. Taxes due and past due now in the amount of about 6k. She doesn't intend to pay them at all despite me telling her about the 'Adverse Possession Law' here in California that allows a squatter to take possession of, and eventually OWN the house IF they consistently pay the property taxes for Five years and then make a request to have the property deeded to them because they are 'taking care of it, when it was abandoned by the owner'.

The Niece never wrote me or called me back after I sent a short note a month ago asking for any information about WHO is allowed to be in the house, or if it's being sold to Bad Gal or anyone else. I really think the Niece lumps me into the 'bad' people group since I knew the 'caretaker' guy who brought Bad Gal into this 2 years ago when it all started.

Caretaker guy NOW sees the full 'plan' his ex had for the place and a way to get money and a place to live. He's not the brightest bulb in the pack, but he see's 'the light' now. Hindsight. He's so sorry he ever met her (she approached HIM). And now, now sign of the new beau/fiance for over a month. Still wondering why.

Drove by the yard and the motorhome is now hooked up to electricity and water. Guess they are going to be living in it along with the dog, 'Fugly' who seems to be an English bulldog. Kinda cute.

Just waiting for the neighbor lady closer to the action to get ahold of the Niece on the phone. I think maybe she will talk to her (might trust her more) and she is going to ask who, why, what, and all that AND tell her if she doesn't care about the house, at least care about all the misery she is causing to the neighbors. Hope it goes well.

In the meantime, I'm looking up City Code Enforcement and finding out if I can report the illegal residence. No sewer connection at the very least should get them out.

It's official. Bad Gal has now spent the last 2 full nights in the motorhome with her NEW guy. I'm calling it their 'love nest'. This is the FIRST time since she started all this stuff in January that she actually spent the night and didn't leave. Seems to be nesting. They went shopping for food, supplies, propane tanks, etc. Stocking up on all they need.

Having NOT seen the second boyfriend for over a month now, lo and behold, he APPEARED over there yesterday morning! He rode up on his awesome motorcycle and didn't go IN. Just parked in the street, walked to the fence, talked to Bad Gal over the locked gate for a minute, NEVER took off his HELMET!, then left. I guess the romance with him is definitely over and now he knows it.

Bad Gal has a strange way of not letting previous beaus know that they are no longer needed.

So now with the motorhome all nicely fitted out with electric, propane, water they are good to go. AND...NOW...last night, they brought in a TEENAGE BOY! Possibly the son of the new guy. Kid got out of Bad Gal's car, put on his backpack, went inside, and was later seen skateboarding around the sidewalks.

This morning, New Guy drove Bad Gal's car, with the kid in it somewhere and then came back without him. Probably took him to school. The fact that Bad Gal let New Guy driver HER car alone is enough to convince me that he's definitely the new boyfriend. Nobody drives HER car.

I'm going to look up Code Enforcement today and send in a 'request' for a safety check on that illegal 'residence' especially now that we have a KID living there.

Worst part is everyone seems to be looking the other way unless we have gunshots or a riot. Just general breaking the laws isn't enough to get the police to respond. Feeling more and more hopeless, but not giving up.

They may have jumped the shark with the motor home. Can't believe that this would be legal.

Well, they've gotten by with everything else illegal, why not this too???

Yeah, the law helps the crooks around here. BUT I just finished writing a COMPLAINT to Code Enforcement for our city. I did this once before about the build up of trash in the yard and they actually contacted the 'owner' and got a 'free' service to clean everything up.

So this time, I complained about the Motorhome. Gave a brief account of the Squatter, the NEW boyfriend and how they moved in the Motorhome last Sunday/Monday and our fears about the SEWER situation. Hopefully they will investigate and realize that there is NO way that Motorhome is coming back out of the yard to go to a pump site and the only other way is to bring a pumper truck to the curb. That would be expensive and I doubt Bad Gal or the new improved guy would pay for that. Only other option is them sneaking out after dark and dumping the contents down the storm drain (nothing goes but rain water) and ruining our environment. OR Heavens, putting it all in bags in the yard somehow or canisters?

AND today, wow! Neighbor called to say the happy couple was having a BARBEQUE! Yup, set up a grill and cooked AND they have hung a clothesline across the yard. Oh joy. This is such fun. They act like they belong there. Makes me angry.

Amazing Sorta!

After I wrote up a report to our local Code Enforcement Office last night, telling about the Motorhome and the bags of trash:

This morning, they got rid of all the trash bags. They spent several hours last night and a few this AM making SHORT trips and then back. Makes sense now since last year, she was dumping the bags in DUMPSTERS all over town. Her then boyfriend, got caught doing that for her and almost got arrested. So she's following the same routine. Now if Code Enforcement comes, they will find no trash. Oh well.

BUT the neighbor closest drove by and found that the output hose from the sewage containment tank is now UNDER the trailer going somewhere. Dunno whether it's just draining in the yard, or under the house into that broken sewer pipe and into the non-working septic tank. So I wrote an email to HAZMAT (to my favorite guy) and told him all about what's been happening. I have no doubt that HE will indeed come over and investigate where that output hose is draining. He can coordinate with City Code too.

Now waiting for anyone to call me back or send me email or just show up (they usually just show up) and see what's what over there.

AND it's official, the teenage boy is living there! Been 3 nights now and he gets taken to school every morning about 6:30 am. How nice. OH and they have sheets hanging on the clothesline, near the Barbeque grill. My neighbor and I are waiting for the 'housewarming' invitation and what to bring to the potluck.

Yuck!

I'd bring them a bomb = great house warming. I'm still quite suspicious of the niece. Although on google there's plenty of instruction to do an adverse posession. In fact 1 site kinda encourages it.

Update from yesterday AFTER Code Enforcement showed up. Wish it were good news but...

The guy came, Bad Gal met him, smiles all around, everyone was out in the yard happy happy while the Code guy measured the Motorhome and its position on the lot and in relation to the house. After 20 minutes, more smiles, handshakes all around and she was waving those forged papers at him the whole time. He left. Period. Nothing happened. This is the beginning of the end.

Later, there were so many 'visitors' we couldn't keep track. I'm suspecting she and the new boyfriend and her son AND perhaps her teen daughter with the new baby and another young couple will be living there. New boyfriend was inside the house, washing windows, putting up curtains, then outside repairing and painting various areas that were damaged by all the break-ins. AND he installed a brand new door and a security door on the house. How nice.

Code guy must have thought that dumping sewage under a house into an open pipe was just fine. I have NO idea why this gal can convince everyone that she's so perfect. In any case, all the 'good' neighbors are discouraged, we are now in a watch and wait mode since we tried the 'legal' way and Bad Gal comes out smelling like a rose.

But the neighbor up the street did call the Niece again and got ahold of her hubby. She said if we thought the Niece was a soft-spoken wonderful Southern Lady, I should hear the husband. He's even nicer. He again thanked all of us for trying, said NOW the police won't even help the Niece with anything (washed their hands of it all), AND that the Niece is 'diligently' working to resolve this matter, BUT it won't be soon, it will be SEVERAL MONTHS before it's all settled. Arrraaaaghhhh!

In the meantime, we have decided to call the house: Chrissy's Commune due to the influx of all sorts of people coming and going at all hours. People were there well after midnight and then Bad Gal was up and out at 6:30 AM taking her son to school again. It's the Meth. She NEVER sleeps, has boundless energy. I can safely assume that all her friends are also partaking of the good drugs. Been like that with everyone I met who she knew. Police records confirm all this so it's not just guessing.

Woe is me and all of the neighborhood. Probably won't have any updates unless something really wild happens. It's just a matter of time before the 'honeymoon' period is over for Bad Gal and she gets mad at one or more of her friends and gets into a fight. It's a pattern. I just hope it's sooner rather than later.

All prayers and evil thoughts gratefully accepted. Karma will eventually catch up with her and we will all be there, cheering!

I've been watching the 'action' over there as usual. Took some pictures of boyfriend number 3. Then boyfriend number 1 (the guy who used to live with the old man) came over. He asked what the 'new' guy looked like and did he sorta walk hunched over a bit? Was he 'submissive' to Bad Gal? All yes. So I dragged out my picture and WHAM. It's not boyfriend number 3...It's...wait for it...wait for it....Bad Gal's HUSBAND! Yup, the original genuine article. No wonder he and the kid there (teen boy) get along so well. He's the DADDY (well adopted so number 1 says).

This Husband is the real deal. I always suspected they were never divorced, but now I'm thinking I'm right. HE is the guy with the Motorhome. No wonder boyfriend number 2 (who had been with Bad Gal for almost a year) skipped out just after meeting THIS guy in the yard and never returned (except for on brief moment at the locked fence). Oh Wow!

So it's a FAMILY gang of robbers, thieves, con-men/women. Nice thing to teach a kid. Can't wait for this new angle to develop. Oh and the white SUV with the blonde guy and girl? They are Bad Gal's Nephew and his wife. And the other older dark haired girl is her oldest daughter. Gads!

Now we will see if they all live there or some stay in their long term rental house up the hill just a bit. Seems that's where they all live together and either they are splitting between here and there, or maybe another eviction. They have several evictions on record. Maybe this is the 'new' place.

Also did some research and found out that the State of California ENCOURAGES Squatters. In fact, in San Francisco, they have programs that find empty houses, and HELP the homeless squat in them. Yup, government funded. AND that our local police depart goes to TRAINING classes to teach them what to say and what to do when they encounter trespasses/squatters! Yup, found the entire write up on that. They are taught to not confront, to not listen to neighbors, to advise everyone 'it's a civil matter' (how many times have I heard that phrase?). AND also says if they see ANY paperwork with the squatter's name and that address, they are to back off and leave them alone. I'm not kidding! This is all in living color under our local police training manual. No wonder we got nowhere with this. Geeeeeeeeez!

I am so boiling mad. Going to just be watching and waiting for the 'owner' to do something, but the literature also said, it's harder for the owner to get squatters out than you think even with a lawyer because of the California Law that favors the squatter's position. How depressing is that? I'm going out to find an empty house, set up my lawn chairs and barbeque and take over...not. Ugh.

If these "squatters" were fine upstanding citizens, then maybe this stupid policy would make more sense. You know - getting rid of all the abandoned houses, of which I'm sure there are many. But anyone who would actually do this is NOT going to be a positive addition to ANY neighborhood. It's a slap in the face to anyone who already lives there trying desperately to keep their neighborhood safe and peaceful.

This sure does explain a lot - I'm still thinking a call to the local TV station is in order. They might have a field day with this policy.

Sigh, if it were not for the fact that I KNOW this Bad Gal, and know what she's capable of (people have restraining orders on her already) I'd run to the TV stations. I have tried to convince other neighbors to do some of the work, but they just don't want to get involved. One gal up the street, whose mom lives right next door to this new crew is the most active in calling the police and the actual 'owner' who is the decedent's niece. At least that neighbor will get involved, but she won't go as far as to call TV stations. Darn.

But today, oh joy, my phone rang at 6 am. It was my immediate next door neighbor and partner in crime. She waited as long as she could, she says, and didn't want to wake me up, BUT seems that the crew was now MOVING the Motorhome OUT of the yard. They backed it out over the torn down fence, got it hung up ON the fencing and spent 1/2 hour of yelling at each other getting the fence clears and the Motorhome out of the backyard over the sidewalk, etc. We were hoping that they were leaving, but no...the just backed it in to the DRIVEWAY (a cement slab) and now it sits thre. No room for another car, Driveway gate, which is Always locked up tight (even if they just go out to get the mail) and now it's wide open with the huge Motorhome sticking out halfway. I'm not even sure it's fully on a slab. Looks to me like it's front wheels are on the dirt. Not legal, but who cares at this point.

So one of two things is going on: The Code Enforcement guy told them to move it, OR they moved it in preparation for POURING a slab in the back yard to make it legal. Actually the back yard, is really a side yard since this property is a corner and everything is visible from the street.

So now we wait to see if Bad Gal parks her precious car on the street, or finds a way to modify the locking gate so she can drive in and lock things up tight again.

Players now include: Bad Gal, her Hubby, their 20 something daughter with a baby in a carrier, their adopted 15ish son, and a blonde guy we have no idea (might be a nephew). Quite a crew. Can't keep up with how many are now there.

Still wondering if they have been evicted from their old rental nearby. Time will tell.

EDIT UPDATE! Wow!

We won a small victory today. I needed that. Our City Code guy called me and explained what he said and did about the Motorhome. Better than I thought. He advised them of several violations and made them correct them. First was as I knew, you can't drive over a City CURB to get into your yard (damages, etc). Second, the Motorhome has to be on a slab, so he told them to move it to the driveway area. Third and the most important, There is to be NO electricity, gas, water, or sewer connected to said Motorhome! None, nada. Nothing can be hooked up. They can use it during daylight hours for whatever, can carry water in jugs to the motorhome BUT after dark, NO ONE can sleep in there and no hookups of any type! Wowwwww!

I am ecstatic. So now we watch to see if any hookups are made AND if anyone is sleeping there at night.Should be pretty obvious if we see lights all night. OH, and they told the City Code guy that 'they were planning on selling the motorhome anyway." Yeah, like I believe anything they say. Ha. Small win...I'm writing it down on my calendar.

Everything is changing on the 'schedule' of Bad Gal and the entourage. Can't keep track of when SHE is here, but the hubby seems to ALWAYS be here day and night. Bad Gal goes away and doesn't stay all night anymore. Probably working on another empty house she wants to loot.

Some guy was there yesterday, looked suspicious, but turns out he was looking at the Motorhome (which just might be listed for sale somewhere). I don't see a sign on it so I dunno. He came back today with another guy, looked, chatted, the hubby opened the hood and tried to start it. Wouldn't start. The 2 guys waited for 20 minutes and then left. Guess they gave up.

Interesting news: The lien on the Trash bill by the City is LIFTED as of April 6th. Dunno who paid it (probably a few hundred or more by now). Dying to see if it's the 'owners' or Bad Gal. IF it was Bad Gal, she would have put out trash today for pickup and nothing went out. I think something else is in the works. Might be the start of a sale or transfer of the house within the family or to another agency? Hoping it's the family working things out finally. I really dread having this family of thieves living right across from me. You never know what they will do next. No conscience, no worries, not afraid of anyone. Bad bad.

Your neighborhood has a lot more drama than mine Sorta. After hearing all of this I think I like my boring neighborhood even better.

I told someone the other day that I had a news flash from my house in the country - I found a morel mushroom!

Wow Drac, just don't tell anyone, or my Bad Gal might move into your neighborhood just to poach the mushrooms!

In a news update: Bad Gal, who has been scarce this last week, is definitely NOT driving. She arrives and leaves as a passenger in her own car, with Boyfriend #2 driving! We thought he was out of the picture, but he seems to be at her beck and call. They are probably working on taking over another empty house since she isn't here all day and night anymore now that her Hubby is living here guarding the place. We can only assume that she has once again lost her driver's license due to either drunk/drug driving or a judgement from the burglary/forgery charges from last year around this time. She was arrested TWICE in one week last April, only 2 weeks before moving into the old guy's house for the first go round. We managed to get her out after a month, but then she came back for this year's fiasco.

She's only here for 1/2 hour or less each time and while she deals with Hubby, the Boyfriend #2 just wanders around the yard. I assume he doesn't want to get to know him. Bad Gal keeps several men working for her at a time. Figuring out how she 'works' more and more. She must be good at 'something'.

AND yesterday, bless his little heart, the kid who sets off firecrackers, and drives me nuts, was seen doing it again, and he was right next door to Bad Gal's acquisition. This time I was cheering the kid on, as it got the Hubby out of the house, looking around the tinder dry back yard, and 'pretending' to chop some grass with one of those golf club looking blade thingies. He was so obvious that he wasn't really chopping grass, but attempting to see where the fireworks were coming from. I think the kiddies were aiming the bottle rockets directly towards him.

Usually I warn the kids about fires, etc. but this time I was glad to see them annoy the squatter. Oh yes! Last week he was bouncing his softball off the chain link fence for an hour, got yelled at by Bad Gal, but continued anyway. Good for him. His mom is the other 'police reporter' that links with me as to what's happening over there. She's right next door so she has a better view of the back side and I watch the front.

I was hoping the guy would yell at the kids (all pre-teens) and threaten them, so the mom could call the cops and tell them some evil adult was after her 'angel' little boy. Ha. He's anything but an angel but now I'm beginning to see that his antics can be useful.

Who knew that annoying neighborhood children could be such a valuable resource! And for the mom to call and complain about the "squatters" next door being a danger to her child... ah the possibilities!

So now we are trying to 'catalog' all the people living in the squatter home. It seems that we have the hubby, 2 kids (boy and girl) an older female (who I know from watching her steal stuff) and now another adult male who seems to be affiliated with the older female. Not sure if all of them live there all the time since they come and go and not always in the same vehicles. Geez.

Bad Gal showing up from time to time and seems to be painting and fixing things. I'm sure they will be renting out rooms and maybe the new adult male is the first of many. At 5 or 600 a head a month, you can make a bundle. Bad Gal was here last night from 8pm till midnight, but she never spends the night now after the first week of getting that mobile home established.

Eventually, or maybe already, the drug traffic will start. Cars will come and go for minutes and it will be fun to take pictures of all of them. I know this will happen. The primary goal of Bad Gal is getting her drugs and making money. Won't be long.

Good news is: Yesterday, I got a call from a Realtor gal who was alerting me to a home in the area for sale. I think they call me since I signed up for several realty sites to check things in the neighborhood. This is the second person from that same Realty company to call me. Nice people, and I checked their 'credentials' after the first guy's call to be sure it' wasn't some sort of scam or Bad Gal trying to get information.

So we got to chatting about the Squatted house and she was very interested since I told her it would be up for sale sometime, AND she might want to investigate and ask some questions of the owner and the squatters about who lives there etc. She was intrigued. Hey, it might be a big commission if she lands the rights. Anyway, she promised to be discreet and not let on where she got the address and phone number, etc. AND she said she might just go over there and knock on the door and ask questions. Try to find out what they say, if they lie about owning it, or renting it, or can show her some paperwork. Nice. Could be fun if she's a go-getter type. Seemed to be from our conversation. Who better than a Realtor to be able to get information on ownership, grant deeds and all that stuff we normal people can't get? I'm hoping she decides to do some investigation. Hey, the house could go for about 300,000. A tidy commission if she gets a listing, or just convinces the owner Niece to let the Realty company handle a bonified rental until things get settled. I'm hoping a chance phone call might be the next good thing.

Hi Sorta,

Just catching up on your latest neighborhood news/fiascos. I agree with you about using the realtor. The one my family hired to sell my mom's home turned out to be useful when the renters wouldn't leave the house. Their one year lease was over yet they managed to squirm in a few more months without paying the rent. An eviction notice was prepared yet no one seemed to be able to get it to the renters. Either they pretended they weren't home or refused to allow anyone inside, include the town's sheriff. So the realitor arrived there with a potential 'buyer'. She was allowed in and when the 'buyer' started looking around, she served the eviction notice.

I hope the realtor in your case is able to do help shake things toward a positive direction!

Yeah, it's so hard to get squatters or non-rent paying tenants out of a place. Usually about 6 months of no rent, and during that time you can't do anything to them. Have to leave the utilities on, can't change the locks, etc. The law is on the side of the renters/squatters. Something has to change.

BUT last weekend, I had a huge garage sale (actually a lawn sale since I have no garage) and guess who showed up to buy things? The man and gal who are or were living in the motorhome. He was very chatty so I pumped for information. Oh HI, my new neighbors, did you buy the place??? (I hate myself sometimes) and he responded, no, we are just watching it for a lawyer. Oh, I say, the lawyer for the Estate? He says, ummm, well, ahhh, hummmm, no another one. GOT HIM! Silly man should have remained silent. So it turns our I know their names, they are a 'couple' and another girl is living there too, and 'sometimes' that girl's son (jr. high) comes to visit so they say. It's not quite true, since we see many more people coming and going, but at least we have 3 names now. AND he babbled a bunch of information about the Code Enforcement making him move the motorhome out of the backyard. He was probably trying to see if I knew anything about it, but he sure was in a TMI mood. Wow.

In any case, they spent about 20 bucks on dishes, and glasses and other knick knacks. At least I made a profit on them. I also pointed out my security cameras and how the police have some of my tapes, and how they ask me stuff about the house and how I am in contact with the deceased owner's Niece who is in charge of the Estate. I asked them what they were going to do when the estate was settled and they had to move out? They said they had somewhere to go. I told them I was relieved they did. Oh yes, I'm going to be punished for that. Geez! I'm bad when I'm in 'profiler' mode. And I'm very good at it.

So we just watch now. I'm making a chart of cars and what times they appear and disappear. Seems the couple has no car and they get picked up to go get groceries. Interesting. Looks like your normal happy family.

Bad Gal appears from time to time, but we are almost positive she's working on taking over yet another empty house. I wish I could follow her to wherever she goes. Sneaky, dishonest, drug using and dealing girl with absolutely no conscience. Dunno how she does it.

At least now I am a 'friend' to the squatters who offered to bring their cute little dog over since I told them how adorable it was. I quickly said nononono. Thanks anyway. I don't want to be friends or have them dropping over. Yikes!

Things are pretty calm over there now. They are actually painting and doing yard work. Stupid, since it's all for nothing. If they really wanted to own the place, it would take 5 years of living there AND paying the taxes for those 5 years before they could petition the courts for a deed. This will never happen. There is an owner, (the estate) and eventually they will do something. Wish they would hurry!

So much happening so fast it's impossible to catch it all. In the last few days, 'traffic' has been high over there.

Numerous cars, coming and going usually for 1/2 to 1 hour. They are usually parking down the street, up the side street, or out of sight. NEW people arriving. Probably selling drugs now that that are established. Yesterday more adult males showing up and then again all night and early this morning. We are now positive that there will be more and more 'tenants'.

Most interesting was that the fat girl with the long hair called a taxi at 8 pm and rushed out and jumped in and whooshed off. THEN a minute later, another taxi company pulled up and was obviously waiting for HER. She must have been in a big hurry since she 'double-booked'. Second taxi stayed in front honking for 5 minutes and finally left. She probably called 2 companies and grabbed the first one to arrive. How not nice is that?

Last night: Cars IN the driveway, pulling in and out and changing places all night. I think they are moving furniture in. Two males yesterday were ones who didn't know how to get into the yard and tried the locked front gate. Another one hopped over the fence and went to the back door (main door they use). It was obviously their first time there.

This morning, a small car unloaded a 2-seater couch and just dragged it to the fence, pushed it over, threw the cushions over and drove off. Later, a large SUV drove up, 2 adult males got out and went into the Motorhome, then were joined by a 3rd and went into the house for 10 minutes, then back into their car and drove off. Obviously drug related activity. I've seen it tons of times and know the 'routine'.

I keep hoping that the frequency of the 'transfers' will become so obvious that other neighbors will notice and call the cops. I've called enough. It's very obvious that MORE people are definitely moving in. I can count 7 or 8 regulars. AND the kid, who the guy who came to my yard sale said, 'only visits occasionally' is living there. They pick him up at 6 am sharp and return him at 4 pm sharp every day. His mother is the fat long haired gal.

None of the 'tenants' living there seems to have a car but then they are seen driving other people's cars at different times. Can't keep the drivers and cars straight. BAD GAL is now driving all sorts of different cars. Her usual Ford Escape has now been absent and she is driving a white sedan (very old) with handicapped plates, AND a brand new convertible, BMW sports car which she drove like she was in a race. Wow. She's coming up in the world. Dunno if they are hers, a boyfriend's, stolen, or just ones that her current boyfriend/fiance is storing in the mobile home business he works for. They also do storage of motorhomes and cars and boats, etc. I think he 'borrows' them and uses them. He's been seen riding 3 different motorcycles and in 2 different cars and 2 trucks.

Can't keep up with the progress. Things are happening fast and it's only a matter of time before this little house becomes a major drug supply destination and there will be way too much activity to keep up with. I've seen this all before so I'm just waiting for the BIG event that will happen when 'worlds collide'. Hope I'm out of the way when someone gets angry about the drug stuff and decides to hurt someone.

Holy cow! That is definitely classic drug activity...

Blonde: Are there restrictions where you live regarding where a child attends school? Here in Ohio, a woman was convicted for lying about where her child lived in order to have the child attend a school in a better district.

Yep, we have 'district' restrictions, but several years back, they created 'Magnate' schools which are for specialized areas of study like music, acting, science, math, etc. Your child can go to any school in our huge district IF they say they want to study one of those areas. Makes it so easy for anyone to switch schools anywhere they want.

This particular Squatter situation involves someone picking up the kid (probably a 9th grader) at 6 am and returning him at 4 pm every day. He has a skateboard so maybe he's in one of the schools that favors sports. The school district used to have us 'verify' addresses of kids but that all went out the window years ago. People were using relative's or friend's addresses to avoid that rule.

The worst part of all of this is the Squatter's numbers are growing. I can now count about 6 regular people who actually stay the night there, and maybe 8 more who visit 'frequently'. It's all revolving around the original Bad Gal who is nothing more than a thief and con artist. She has her huge group of friends and they all work together to steal and cheat anyone they can. Right now, Bad Gal has moved on to another place and is only visiting here occasionally. She has her little crew situated and they will remain until someone gets them out. Has to be the 'legal owner' who at this point is an Estate, handled by the Niece of the deceased guy. SHE is not cooperating.

This all could have been handled long ago by asking a realty firm to manage the property and put a tenant in there. Obviously the Estate is a mess, family members all hate each other, but they also don't care about what happens to US.

The drug dealing is the worst part. So obvious even if I didn't know that Bad Gal is an addict. SHE told me herself! That was backed up by a few of her friends telling me (and warning me to lock up my pain pills) and the police department telling me about her 'history'. The one guy was very chatty and told me everything, WHICH later was confirmed on the phone by Bad Gal when she was high on something and just told me all the stuff she had been arrested for. Duh? This involves, drug use, drug paraphenalia, forgery, burglary, threats (a restraining order is on her), and many more things. She's not a nice person and none of her friends can be trusted.

Cars coming and going all hours, getting more frequent, easy to see what's going on. In and out, transfers at the curb, little items put in the trunk here and there, and lots of new people coming and going, some moving in with furniture and belongings. I'm sure Bad Gal is renting out rooms there and making big bucks while she works on her next big take-over.

It's so discouraging, frustrating, infuriating. I still keep a diary of what's happening and take pictures of new cars that show up, but it will probably be for nothing. The Estate (family) just ignores the police and everyone else, while on the surface, they seem to be oh so friendly.

If anything ever gets this crew out of the house, we will throw a block party. Everyone is invited. Problem is, nobody else wants to get involved. There are 3 of us who constantly keep tabs and call the proper authorities. We do get little concessions, like the Code Enforcement guy making them move that Motorhome. One little win for our side.

So I'm off to watch the house. New guy got dropped off at 6am. Never saw him before, but he knew the way in through the gate, so I guess he's a 'regular'. Oh joy!

EDIT: Well our predictions came true, Cox Cable is installing cable TV ( and probably internet) right now. I hate being right!And all the while, 3 or 4 of the squatters were out in the yard PRETENDING to do yard work. It's soooo obvious. Make nicey-mice for the neighbors so you look like reputable people. I think I will go throw up now.

We have a new SUV that is constantly there. Three more people moved in. If I count all the 'regulars' I get about at least 8 and probably more 'residents'. You rarely see them except when they go out for food runs or drug runs.

Speaking of drug runs: We have come up with a theory as to why 1) the same people park around the corner for hours, but park IN FRONT overnight, 2) why the residents seem to be fascinated with disconnected bicycle tires.

The 'buyers' of the drugs they are selling (yes I can see the activity), usually park in front and run in for a few minutes and then speed off. Sometimes, they park around the corner and walk in but only if they intend to stay for more than 15 minutes.

The 'residents' never park in front during daylight hours to allow the 'buyers' clear in and out fast access.

And the bicycle tire fetish? Well get this, they have a HUGE pile of bicycle tires by the back door (sometimes, it's gone, then it's back or new ones are there). The 'sellers' load their cars with bicycle tires and drive off only to come back in a short time with NO tires or sometimes, unload the tires again. Sound strange? Then there is the one guy who walks up the block with one bicycle tire (bouncing it on the ground and playing with it) and then returns in a few minutes WITH the tire (or a duplicate) for no apparent reason.

BUT the probable reason is...they are packing the tires with drugs and transporting and exchanging them. What a clever dodge. Who would suspect a bicycle tire? After some of the 'transactions' you can hear a compressor running in the back yard. Probably re-inflating the tires after the drugs are out or inflating them after packing new ones. I'm almost positive this is the case. They seem to go in and out with way too many bicycle tires all day and night. Not normal behavior. Gotta be drug transfers.

I'm still watching for fun stuff. I'm going to a new program with the police department next Thursday. It's called "Coffee with a Cop" and it's to promote good relations between citizens and police. Supposedly we get to sit down in small groups with a cop and tell them our concerns. I just hope one of them is someone who will listen to my strange tales and believe what I am seeing. Could be fun, or a really bad day.

Enjoy your Coffee with a Cop day!

Hmmm... Coffee with a Cop. Sounds intriguing, but somehow I wouldn't get my hopes up. From your descriptions of your local authorities, it sounds like more of a "feel good" effort, rather than anything of any substance. But hopefully, you will be surprised!

Sooooooo, yesterday afternoon, there was a strange 'blacked-out' truck across the street for about an hour. The day before a sedan (same black-out) made a traffic stop in front of my house. Under cover cops with no visible department affiliation on their vests.

At 2:00 pm, SIX of those undercover vehicles (trucks, vans, sedans) all converged on the squatter's house with guns drawn and they handcuffed one resident (I'd seen him arrive with his lunch in a bag earlier) and took him away. The whole thing took less than 5 minutes and the people who I'm familiar with over there just stood nearby outside watching.

It was the US Marshals and this guy probably was wanted for major crimes. Scary. So this is the type of people we have right across the street. I already knew that.

So then we all figured that because of the arrest, that the 'residents' would be very very careful with the drug selling activity, BUT instead it increased! From 5:00pm until 8:00pm, there was a steady stream of cars pulling up and people going in for a few minutes and coming out and leaving. Sometimes 2 cars would arrive at the same time, so one would pull away and come back later. One guy parked in several different spots 'waiting' for his turn. He finally got 'served'. I guess we now have 'The Squatter's Drive Through". Curbside service for drug purchase, no waiting, all coupons accepted.

It's soooo obvious that they are drug sellers. I counted 6 cars that I recognized and 2 that were new to me. Too dark to take pictures.

I can hardly wait for the next big event. Only a matter of time until someone gets hurt over there. We were hoping that the Marshals would look around and find the drugs, but since you need a warrant for such things, and they were only interested in getting this one guy, they were in and out in a flash.

Maybe next time?

I'm sure it's not much comfort, but at least someone in power finally did something. Hope that there's further action on the part of authorities. Here I am, complaining about a barking dog and a neglected yard. Small potatoes.

Hi Sorta,

All those official vehicles and only one person gets arrested. I just wonder if that was the feds way of alerting the neighbors that things are not being ignored. At one point in my life I did accounting work the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - still called that today? It was one of several successive positions I had while working in the federal buildings in downtown Chicago. The DEA took up one whole floor of the building with agents in a separate area from the accounting dept. I got to know several of them because (a) one or two of them were dating people I worked with and (b) they'd come in to settle paperwork and complain about a drug bust gone wrong due to a judge's decision.

So maybe, even though feels like the neighborhood and situation are being ignored, the feds are waiting to capture a bigger fish. Despite what it looks like, Bad Girl could be just 'small potatoes'. Who knows, maybe the guy they arrested was an undercover cop. And, maybe, I watch too much TV. But, everything you've related from day one, Sorta, keeps leaving me wondering, especially about nothing being done about a very bad situation, that you just happen to be a witness and, someday, this will all come to light, might even be majorly tv news worthy.

Whatever happens, I hope you keep on recording, on tape and to us. The possibility of it resulting in a great novel is certainly still there. More importantly, I believe you're recording evidence. They may be all nice to you but, and I'm sure you are, be careful. You're not an innocent bystander. If anything, you're very brave. I applaud you for that and always pray for your safety.

Hmmm... butterflybabe has an angle I've never thought of. Definitely will continue to be interesting...

Good thought butterflybabe! I actually considered that this 'newbie' could be an undercover guy just getting information on what's going on there. Then he could report what he found. He was probably only there a week, but maybe, just maybe this is the start of something bigger.

When he first appeared, he didn't know how to get into the property. He ended up climbing over the front gate (always locked) and walking around the front of the house, over a barrier they put up to keep the dog in, and then to the back door which they use as the main door.

Saw him a few more times after that, always dropped off by a non-descript white little car up the block or across the street. The day of the big 'raid' he got dropped off and in 2 hours the action started. They spent no time getting him and taking him away, no muss, no fuss. Seemed strange, but they sure had all guns drawn. Scary.

Let's hope there is something going on that we don't know. Business last night was just as busy as the previous night and this morning already at 8:30 am, there was a car that had 2 guys (I recognized them from yesterday) go in and out in a few minutes and happily drive off with whatever they got.

I just hate the fact that we have serious drug users and probably producers or transporters right close by. If it were just one guy (like in that rooming house that has been quite calm lately) then I wouldn't worry. He always went 'off-site' with his drug sales, so we rarely had anyone lurking around.

Years back, when we had a dealer in a house directly behind mine, we had loads of in and out traffic (common driveway) and our cars got burglarized several times, as did my hubby's tow truck. Lost most of his tools to 'buyers' who needed something to trade for drugs, I lost a small camera, a bit of money (just coins) and worst maybe was the 'registration' for one of the cars. We figured the car might be gone next. Was awful until I figured out what was going on. I only caught on when one of my students (from a continuation school for those who were kicked out of regular school) appeared at MY door after midnight. He was as shocked to see me as I was to see him. Then I put it all together. This kid was a heavy drug user, so I asked if he was looking for so and so? And he said yes, and I directed him down back to the 'dealer'. After that day, no more student showing up and in class he was very very quiet. Ha.

So we continue to watch, keep a log, take pictures of cars, etc. Someday I hope it will mean something. If not, it's a great way to spend a day when nothing is on TV.

OK, time for an important update that is such a KARMA event I can't stand it.

Bad Gal showed up at MY Door with her boyfriend/fiance (who I found to be so much unlike all her other friends that it was amazing). She had found out about the 'arrest' and it wasn't me who told her. She has 'informants' all over the place. She was furious when she went into the house, found out they installed cable, had move a bunch of people in (was only supposed to be the ONE guy and girlfriend and Bad Gal's best girlfriend). She finally saw that this is NOT what she intended and came to chat with me. I gave her tons of info and the end of it was:

Bad Gal said to me, that she was washing her hands of the whole plan to 'buy' the house. She said she had carefully storing a lot of the old man's memorabilia, etc. and when I told her I saw a 1950's TV going out she really hit the roof. She went over, yelled and got 'back-talk' from the very people she 'hired' to guard the place and who turned this into a flop-house and massive drug 24 hour drive up sales house.

So here's her plan: Told the group to leave NOW. 2 of them immediately left in various cars that obviously were called to pick them up. 3 more left later that evening in various cars and on foot. Each taking their backpacks and misc. stuff in garbage bags. It's the exact way we saw them move in.

BUT later, another NEW guy moved in. Geez. The Motorhome was supposed to be out by midnight or she would tow it. It never left. The next day, Bad Girl called me again to tell me she had a heart-to-heart with her fiance and they decided NOT to buy the place and to just drop the entire plan. She was not going back to see if they were gone, not going to go IN there again, and NOT going to try to retrieve any of HER stuff (weedwacker, cleaning stuff, curtains, etc.) She did however, take the extension cord which, despite the Code Enforcement Officer's waarning, was hooked up to the Motorhome at night and they were obviously living in there against his orders.

So she informed me she was cutting off the Gas, Electric, Water. Cable TV she can't because THEY put it in BUT they won't be able to use it with NO electricity. Fantastic.

So Bad Girl got "hoisted on her own pitard" so to speak and now she's trying to distance herself from the stuff going on. WE THINK she's on probation so she can't afford to be caught in charge of people with guns, drugs, etc. So funny.

She asked ME to call the guy's Niece and tell her how sorry Bad Gal is that things went wrong and how hard she tried to preserve all the Uncle's possessions for the family. (ha) She also said she is having 'her lawyer' write up another paper, that will cancel out the original authorization to be in the house to clean' paper that the cops accepted as fact. She said she would give me a copy AND all the keys to the place. I am not holding my breath on this one, but ya never know. She NEEDS a reliable 'witness' and community member to vouch for her now. I'm the one I guess. She trusts me. Poor girl!

Little does she know that I have no problem testifying against her for everything illegal thing she did. Oh well.

Good part is that I actually liked and got good vibes from the fiance at our first face to face. He seems genuine, has a full time job for years. owns a residence, etc. Very different from everyone else she associates with and he's not dumb. I may be wrong, but my spidey sense says he might just be good for her and that he probably didn't know ALL of the underhanded stuff she was telling him about that house. Yup.

So today at 8:30 am, the water was shut off. At 4:30 pm the gas and electric was shut off. A flurry of little 'rats' immediately started leaving and coming back with water and other items. They are very busy. I assume they will be using candles now and my friend, who predicted the house would burn down, might just win the pool. Oh oh oh. How many house fires are from unattended candles? Tons. AND match that with meth and heroin addicts who are awake all night and sleep half the day and guess what? Perfect storm

So now I will watch and wait. This might go on forever but at least it's keeping me busy. My own Reality Show, right across the street and I don't have to pay to watch.

So much free entertainment!

Oh my heavenly days! This is just delicious!

Well, after the gas and electric guy left, and all the 'rats' were scurrying around getting water and whatever, it was VERY calm over there. Strange. Only a few cars in and out and one 'new' one stayed the night and left early this morning.

I walked up the block to get a good look at both sides of the house (corner lot) and saw that the shopping cart that one of the newbies wheeling up the street with a full load of EMPTY plastic and glass bottles just after the water shut off was discovered, is now in the back yard, in a corner of a concrete enclosure, still FULL of those now water filled containers. He went out empty and came back 45 minutes later with a very HEAVY cart. We presumed it was for the toilet. Hopefully they aren't going to try to drink it because 1) the bottles came from the TRASH pile, and 2) he probably filled them from some unsuspecting home's hose (and most of our hoses say 'not for drinking water'. The other option of toilet filling so it will flush is good, but then again, the position of all the water is so far back from the house it doesn't make sense. I'm thinking they are going to dig holes and use them for potty and the water will be used for washing up. Ohhhhhh!

BUT the ELECTRICITY is still ON! Yup, only 3 possibilities: 1) the begged and pleaded and bribed the guy to leave it on and managed to get an 'emergency' time to get it in their name, 2) they lied and said someone NEEDED the electric for some medical reason, 3) the guy only was there to do the gas turn off since the electric is done 'remotely' now, by satellite. I'm hoping it's number 3. Can't imagine a paying customer asking for a turn-off and the company NOT doing it? Especially when she mentioned a 'password' needed to turn everything back on no matter who wanted it. I'll try to contact Bad Gal today and see what's up and catch her up on the progress.

Garbage: All the bags and boxes and stuff were moved to the front area. Now they are condensed to one side of the Motorhome and I 'think' they are getting ready to put them out for trash day (tonight they go out). We will see. Gonna be real fun if they just dump all that stuff without cans all over the sidewalk and gutter and it ends up all over the street and many yards, including MINE. If I see them putting out bags without cans, I will be contacting the trash company and Code Enforcement immediately BEFORE it has time to spread all over the place. Heaven only knows what disease and yuk would be contaminating everything. AND probably human waste (no potty now since it's backed up) and maybe drug stuff too. Ugh!

Today will be another full day of watching and waiting and keeping notes and maybe some photos if I see any new cars. Gonna be a long siege that will never end. Keeps me out of trouble...or does it???

Wow, things are happening fast over there! Just when you think the plot can't thicken any more, it does!

Mysteriously (actually not so much) the garbage has disappeared. Uhhuh. They spent all yesterday, sorting and bagging and taking some away in small amounts and then selling some to people who would drive up. Some new cars, some I'd seen before. They are also, according to what Bad Gal (who is now my BFF so she thinks) taking stuff from inside the house that she actually didn't sell off when she was doing that.

We described the size, shape, and heaviness of some of the things and she verified about 6 very very old adding machines, some aluminum tubes (very big) and a few other things. She's upset. Ha. All her hard work trying to make nicey for the Niece so she could step in and say how she preserved the guy's 'important' things is now out the window.

The 'transients' new residents come in every day. Back pack, plastic bag for their possessions. Amazing how they seem to just pick them up. I asked Bad Gal where all these people come from and she informed me they are actually homeless, and live in various places, empty cars, under bridges, in industrial complexes, etc. They all have one thing in common, the need to do drugs. She said they 'earn their keep' by selling stuff, or drugs, or their bodies. Ugh!

Some really busy stuff late last night and all through. Two cars, just kept coming and going about every 15 minutes. Probably dumping the garbage around town, or delivering drugs or the stuff they are stealing from the house. Bad Gal is furious that they sold that 1950's TV and old books and things. I almost feel sorry for her since she spent so many days and months gathering, sorting and selling things but now they took over her business. I said ALMOST.

She is so desperate to make the Niece see her as the 'good' guy that she is clinging to me and begging for ME to intercede and tell the Niece how great she took care of the house. Geez. AND yesterday, I got a call from her ex-boyfriend (the one she dumped without telling him and who used to live with the old guy)and told him a bunch of stuff about the Niece 'is going to prosecute anyone who she can find who had anything to do with anything that happened to the house". I wonder where she got THAT idea?? Oh yes, now I remember, it was from ME! Bahaaaaaa. But then the Niece really did say that when I had her on the phone that day I called the cops when Bad Gal used MY name as authorizing her to be there. So it's the truth. I just keep repeating it so everyone will be in fear of being arrested, etc. She's obviously afraid. So the ex called me and I was amused about the story getting to him. SHE hasn't spoken to him in months, except for a brief accidental meeting at the favorite bar they all go to.

And it gets better. She's so desperate to get the druggies out of there (it will eventually bounce back to her putting them there) that she is now proposing (called me to see what I thought) that her brother's friends (who just happen to be Motorcycle Gang guys and HUGE and scary) come over here and just 'ask' the group to leave, leave now, and stand by while they do. This really is a plan. She's serious, the motorcycle guys are serious and it might just happen.

I asked her to please let me know if and when since I don't want to be scared to death along with my elderly neighbor lady. She said she would, but I would know anyway since there would be a major presence of Harleys surrounding the house. WOW! This could make the evening news. I'm sure the police would show up, maybe SWAT. In any case, my little neighborhood stories will be reallllly good.

She's had no luck with the gas and electric. Seems that the Motorhome guy was the one who called the gas company and has them turn ON the gas. Bad Gal said she never did turn that on. Oh. And the electricity remained on because the company told her the same thing they told me, "We can't refuse service to anyone, or ask for any proof of residence". Great.

She did manage somehow to get the cable/phone/internet shut off. Amazing. She has ways of convincing people. They can turn it back on of course, but in the meantime, it will take some doing. Anything to annoy them. She is talking about 'cutting' the electric wires at the fuse box or removing the fuses (old screw-in ones) to make life miserable. Might work for a short time.

Today I'm going to call her and propose a little trick I read on an internet site on how to get rid of squatters. Put up signs all over the place that say "House for Sale" and list the address. You can imagine how many people will be knocking on their door at all hours! EVERYONE around here is constantly asking if the house is for sale. Don't need any details, just the sign and even realtors will be going over and bothering them. Not knowing who is at the house, door or in the yard (yes people actually walk in the yard and around and take pictures of houses for sale) will for sure make them jumpy with all the drug activity over there, or at least keep them on their toes. Nobody is up before noon so it could be interesting.

So I'm off to watch the crew. Have to get a good picture of the new gal from last night. Probably more came in while I slept. Gonna be so many over there it will be very noticeable soon to all the neighbors who are currently oblivious to what's going on. don't know how they can NOT see the activity!

Sorta,

Have you ever thought about moving?

Move? Me? Never. Not unless someone will give me a 3 story grand Victorian with lots of land and no money from me. Nope. I have a cute little house with some good neighbors and although this stupid Bad Gal saga is driving me up the wall (along with a few of those good neighbors) it's just another glitch in life. This will end some day. We are working on it. I thought about other neighborhoods but after listening to all the news lately, NO WHERE is safe. Every neighborhood, rich or poor, is having burglaries, car thefts or vandalism, domestic violence, drug activity or as in the last few days, murder/suicides. All over. The criminals don't discriminate. Might as well just enjoy the entertainment and hope to outlive all this.

Today's fun is going to be to see if Bad Gal puts up those For Sale signs. She called me at 10pm last night to apologize for not getting that done (took a friend out for her birthday). But her boyfriend was in the background talking about 'ideas' to improve the signs like putting those little 'tear-off' strips on them. Ha. Got them working on it I think Time will tell.

Very calm over there the last few days. I think they curtained the drug selling on the site because they fear Bad Gal will go to the police as promised and they are being careful.

Still no water service. Lots of going up to the corner businesses one at a time EARLY in the morning. We think when the gas guy came, he probably 'red-tagged' the stove and water heater. Good guess since this old guy never improved anything over there, couldn't get to appliances or anything because of the hoard. Chances are there are NO shut-off valves on the gas appliances (required by our local law) and probably not the right 'connector' hoses. They changed to a safer kind and anyone turning on new services has to upgrade to that. They are still COOKING on a barbeque in the back yard every night. Not for a social event, just for a few minutes. Tells me no stove. I think I saw a Microwave go in last week but you can't cook meat very well in a microwave unless you know how. Don't think our druggies know anything.

Off to watch the action. Hope something good happens today!

Sorta...OH MY You have to be a real Pro on the Most Adventures in a person's neighborhood ..I can't believe there is so much Drama in that area ...LOL And for so long ...

Oh well...

VERY quiet over there for the last few days. Eerie! I think Bad Gal really did scare them at least for a short while.

I checked and sure enough, the Motorhome, which they are NOT to have any utilities of any kind hooked up to, has a black garden hose and an orange electrical cord hooked up to it. Probably getting electricity from the house and the hose I'm not sure. No water, so it's gotta be for something else? Strange. It only appeared AFTER the water was shut off for a few days. Only thing might be they went out under cover of darkness and blocked the 'view' with cars and pried or hacked off the lock the water guy put on the meter. These people are used to stealing and I wouldn't put it past them to find 'inventive' ways to get what they need. They are now going out in ONLY TWO vehicles and bringing home trunk loads of what looks like stuff from 'dumpster diving'. Last night was a small plastic trash can and several bags of cans and a few which looked like soft stuff (maybe clothing). wow.
Scavengers to be sure. I'm thinking they told all the 'usual' drug buyers not to come there for awhile. At least Bad Gal did one good thing accidentally.

Still no 'For Sale' signs up. I think she may have decided not to do that. I'm going to write another email to the Code Enforcement guy right now telling him about the hookups to the Motorhome. I'm sure he will investigate.

For fun an games to come. Who knows what will happen next???

Sorta,

You need to talk to Bravo or Lifetime about getting a reality show for all this drama.

I'm pretty sure no one would ever believe me. The things that are happening, especially the Karmatic turn of events this week, are so beyond normal that it's like science fiction.

Still no action over there of any import. The 'usual' car from last week arrived at 1:15 pm and 2 guys got out and spent an hour inside, then came out with a white plastic grocery sized bag.

Then just as they were driving off, the 'usual' little Scion that was a regular before all the turns, arrived with a single female who went into the house. Might be the juveniles mom. Can't get a good enough angle to see what she looks like. The cameras are fuzzy at that distance so I can only tell height and male or female. I wish I had the money to buy a really GOOD camera that would do telephoto.

Sorta,

I don't think lack of belief from a media source, at this point, would be as much an issue as making your life crazier, if that's possible, than it already is from this whole evolving mystery. They'd be after you constantly for further info/news; and/or, with their sources, they'd have the contacts and equipment to get info faster than you, or make it up, and your 'side', your view, would take 2nd billing. Should and/or when this eventually becomes newsworthy, they'd take all the credit for cracking the story wide open, while you'd be just the neighborhood busybody who gave them a lead or two. Then, again, they could definitely supply that helpful camera you want. Maybe they'd even start paying you

Makes me think of Pam Zeckman. Can you imagine - picture her being there when hazmat showed up or her going there for a live interview with Bad Gal, asking her all kinds of questions; about now she'd go to the illegal hook-ups to get into that person's face with 'Do you know that these connections are illegal sir?' He'd hurriedly walk away to his trailer (that's what's parked there, right?) with her following in his footsteps asking more questions until he gets into the trailer and slams the door in her face. Maybe she'd know your role and come get some info from you like how long has this been going on? Are you worried about your home and neighborhood? What are the other neighbors doing? Give her a large cup of coffee, a heaping stack of GB post printouts, and ask her how much time she has.

I've been so busy with all this drama, and posting just wouldn't do the job with ALL that's happened in the past week. I'll tell the story eventually, but let's just say that since I wrote a frantic letter to the Niece (in charge of the estate) lots of really weird things occurred.

There was lots of drug activity, trying to get the septic tank working activity, selling off more stuff activity, Bad Gal activity at MY HOUSE, and now thank goodness, I got a REPLY to my letter from the Niece.

Some weird guy came to my door a week ago, he said he was working for a lawyer, but wouldn't specify who. He had lots of interesting 'tales' about the house and wanted to know how to contact the owner. I asked and he said he had been inside said house about 4 times. Big red flag there. He KNEW the current Squatters and said the primary one, had a large and prominent family, etc. Sounded like he was on HER side.

So between me and another of my Detectives, we found the girl's facebook page and saw her 'history'. She is a prolific writer on facebook and twitter. Got her whole life's story. Lots of drama, arrests, prison time, drug OD deaths, etc. Not someone you would expect that this 'guy' would be friends with.

So then Bad Gal CALLS me saying that the other gal was saying I talked 'badly' about her and Bad Gal too. Obviously this guy who came over, went right back with all I said to him. He seemed to agree, but then again, he was just fishing for info on how to PROFIT from it all. He's a rogue. Has worn many 'hats' in his 45 years and none of them are what I would call steady or well-paid. He, according to Bad Gal is always looking for opportunities that present themselves. He thought he could BUY that house for 30k from the city who was 'auctioning it off'. Ha. Not even close to true. So I informed him of all the TRUE facts about the house and the people he seemed to 'love'. Never heard from him again.

BUT because of his 'double crossing' and telling what I'd said to the 'enemy' I wrote a note to the Niece and this time she WROTE BACK! My fortune cookie from last week said: "You will soon receive a letter of great importance". I saved it and it came TRUE!

The letter said, thanks thanks thanks, and assured me that the family has TWO lawyers, one for the probate, and another specifically to evict the squatters. She is also working with the local Police Detective who handles this case, to round up and prosecute ANY and ALL persons who have been in that house, have taken anything from the house, or had any part in destroying, occupying, etc. She said she might call me to testify as to what I've seen and heard and thanked me for watching so vigilantly. Wheeeeeee!

Eventually something will happen. Maybe not soon, but she's working on it and some people are going to be VERY surprised to find themselves in jail or being sued in civil court. Bad Gal has been so cozy with me for the last week, desperately trying to extricate herself from all this that SHE started. I will NOT be telling her about this letter or anything about prosecution being a really viable plan. I feel sorry for her new boyfriend though. He is the ONLY one involved in all this who actually has a JOB and he is the one who will suffer the most. He has money, he can be made to pay for everything they can prove. Poor guy, he seems to be just another 'victim' of Bad Gal's evil plans.

Can't wait to see what happens next. Either the Marshals will show up to evict the current Squatters, or the police will come to arrest everyone, or the Meth Lab (which we are pretty sure they now are running) will blow up the entire house and cause havoc for the whole neighborhood. Hope it's the former rather than the latter option.

More news when it happens, I sense it won't be long until something starts the ball rolling over there. Wheeee!

I've been checking every day hoping for an update! Wow... I'm actually surprised to hear the niece is actually doing something. I've always thought they were crazy if they didn't.

Sorta. I hope things finally work out.

There may actually be a light at the end of this tunnel! Wouldn't it be great if someone actually gets prosecuted and I get called to testify? Imagine the stories I can write about that! Not really wanting to be in court, but if called upon, I sure will do my best. Maybe someone will actually realize how much I and other neighbors have been doing to HELP.

I just imagine how nice it will be for you to get your neighborhood back.

I'm not holding my breath that anything will get settled soon. This mess will probably outlive me and most of my neighbors. One thing after another.

Yesterday, in broad daylight, in full view of traffic on the street and people walking by, the Squatters sold off the old guy's SAFE. Yup. Probably weighed about 300+ pounds. About 4 feet tall, 3 feet wide and 2 feet deep. Not a pretty one, just a boring brown chunk of metal, but it was his. Two guys who had been there the day before (older men dressed alike as if they worked for the same place) carried it out on a furniture dolly and lifted it into the bed of their pickup truck. They also loaded one very large OLD adding machine and several smaller items I couldn't really identify.

I wonder if THEY know they are buying stolen goods? Probably not or they wouldn't have been so visible. Most of the 'sales' take place in the dark.

Squatters still there. The cute little 'wife' of the guy in the Motor Home spent 3 days trimming an overgrown hedge/bush at the front porch into a really nice looking 'bonzai'. From a 5 foot square mass of branches, she trimmed one branch at a time with CLIPPERS, into a lovely two stemmed pom pom looking thing. Two trunks, side by side (we never knew there were two), each one with a nice round poof on top. Looks really nice. Too bad she's one of the Squatters. She's good at trimming.

I took a picture while those two 'respectable' men were stealing the safe and things, and mailed it to the Niece with a nice letter explaining that this was a 'daily' occurrence around here and how sad it makes me to see her Uncle's possessions sold for drug money and support for Squatters in HIS house. Hope that gets her moving faster on her quest to get them out.

OH OH OH...I just saw a van drive up over there and it's DISH NETWORK! Not only did they install COX deluxe everything 2 weeks ago. but now they are ALSO installing DISH????? THIS has become the most absurd thing I've seen. Geez!

Can anyone spell BRAZEN!

Unbelievable

So talk about things finally heating up. Wow! Bad Gal called me right after the Dish Network guy started working. He had finished the dish on the roof and had gone into the house to complete the hookups when Bad Gal arrived all ready to attack. She parked over there and headed INSIDE with her paper work (which Dish office had said to show to the installer and he would stop the installation). Well HE wouldn't stop, and insisted the guy there was in charge and SHE told him that SHE was in charge and challenged the other guy to show the Dish guy HIS paperwork authorizing him to live there. Ha. No response from the guy, but it didn't work on the Dish guy either.

So she went up to her car (a few houses away) and called the cops again! While she waited on the phone, one of the 'residents' walked out and went to her car and she asked if he lived there now too? He said he was only visiting. Ha. I've seen him practically every day AND he is the one who was helping those guys load that heavy item yesterday. I showed her the picture and she confirmed.

So she then called Code Enforcement, Health Department, etc. and I suggested to get the Hazmat emergency number she might wanna call the police dispatch (non-emergency) She did and the dispatcher told her that the police would NOT be responding to her earlier call and to call Detective G. He's the burglary investigator that called me back in January. So she calls and leaves a message. Nobody is calling her back, makes me laugh.

BUT then, wonder of wonders, the NIECE calls ME!!!! We talked for 1/2 hour about everything and she called because Detective G., who had a message from Bad Gal called her. He wanted to clarify what Bad Gal left on the message which was: "I am in charge of the house, and I want the people out and they won't go and I have paperwork proving I'm in charge and if you don't believe me, Mrs..(niece) will verify that I have the paperwork to be here". How in the world would Bad Gal leave a message that the NIECE authorizes HER to be there???? Not thinking straight I think. First she said (in January) that I authorized it, now she's telling the cops that the Niece is. Foolish. So the Detective probably is laughing too that the crook is asking for his help in getting out the other crooks.

OH and Bad Gal thinks, in her little pea brain, that this Detective is investigating the Squatters, because SHE called the cops a few days ago and got the ball rolling. Stupid girl, so stupid!

I'm not telling her what the real story is. Let her stay in her little dream for now. I do know now that the Eviction Lawyer is preparing papers for the Eviction and the Niece called to find out ONE name for the process server to officially serve eviction to. Luckily, I had ONE name. Whew. I gave her that and the first names of the other 2 (husband and wife) so that will be very helpful. Whew.

Today was busy busy busy. OH forgot, after Bad Gal was over there and threatened to call the cops, and then drove over to my house (just down one and across the street) the RATS started deserting the ship. We counted EIGHT people who walked out. She only knew 2 of them by sight. Amazing how many people are in there. Gonna be a good day when they finally get them out. It will happen. Yup. I'm confident now.

Oh, boy, oh boy! Too bad all these OTHER squatters are raining on Bad Gal's parade.

Just when you think it can't get any more complicated the twists continue.

I went through 2 cups of coffee reading this!
Best Read Ever, SortaB..

Stay safe, though!

Thanks blsbett44, I actually enjoy reading the stuff here too. On boring days, I go over some of it and marvel at what's happened and ask myself if it's really true? Did I really see, hear, do all those things, or am I hallucinating? Nope, it's all TRUE. If I were a better writer, I'd put this all in a book. Could get rich. Then again, IF the Niece follows through and actually takes some of the perps to court, it will all be written in the court records. Wow. What a tale.

I still have nightmares (as do my other partners in crime neighbors who watch) and we all compare 'notes' about what is happening. There are 3 of us in what I am calling "The Oxford Street Ladies Detective Agency". Phone calls go wild on days when something 'good' is happening. I have a corner view of the property, my next door neighbor has a direct view of the front and the side street, and the other neighbor has a great view of the side street and the back yard. Between us, we keep track of movement on those exciting days. The Niece refers to us as the Neighborhood Watch. I wish more of our neighbors would get involved. I'd love to tell some of them exactly WHAT is going on over there, but they don't seem to care. Amazing, since this impacts THEM too. Who wants SWAT running around in their driveway with GUNS??? You would think they would ask some questions.

I've always been one to jump in when something is happening. Started at about 8 years old I think, and it just continued in a more sophisticated way. How can you NOT get involved when the whole thing is right in your lap? Maybe I can find some nice sand to bury my head in and pretend everything is fine? I'm sure the neighbors have some.

Today, all quiet so far.

Still quiet Sorta?

The quiet has been broken. A ton of activity. We think the 'delivery' of a new shipment of drugs has arrived. Cars coming and going at all hours yesterday. So many people I can't keep track. They are now parking way far from the house thinking I can't see the cars, but they tend to park up the street right IN FRONT of my other 'Detective'. So funny.

But get this complicated story, you can't make this up: So Bad Gal has been friends with the Maria character gal for years. It's Maria who kicked Bad Gal out of the Squatter's club. Maria is also friends with that 'free-lance writer' guy who came over and was finding out things so he could go back and report to Maria about my cameras etc. He's a sneaky little man. Maria is also friends with the Lawyer gal who wrote up Bad Gal's fake paperwork saying she could be in the house to 'clean' etc. The cops believe the papers. The Lawyer Gal, who faked the papers and who 'disappeared' from her Law Firm over a year ago under 'strange circumstances' has now shunned Bad Gal also, BUT the Lawyer Gal was living in an apartment and had a roommate, who just happens to be one of San Diego's well-known comics at the Comedy Store. When their apartment burned down early this year, they both had to move. Lawyer Gal had no problem, but the Comic (who rarely works) was left homeless, on the street, sleeping on park benches, etc. He says he got robbed of his only remaining possessions one night and ended up living in a tent next to a friend's campsite nearby.

Confused? OK...there's more. Hollywood, you gotta make a movie of this!

There was a 3 minute news story on a local channel spotlighting this Comic and his plight. I already knew of him from the Facebook pages of all the Squatter's and friends. The Comedy Store was doing a BENEFIT for him to get him off the streets and possibly buy him a car. Sounds great huh? Well guess WHO showed up over at the Squatter's house yesterday afternoon????? Ahhhh, you guessed right. The COMIC! In his full well-fed glory. I recognized him immediately. They (he and Maria) made the mistake of parking out of my sight, but right in front of my other Detective's house. She called, I watched and took pictures.

They went into the house for about 15-20 minutes and then returned to the car. It was a very distinctive car. Toyota Corolla and painted in THREE colors. Top dark blue, center white, and bottom bright red. Can't miss it.

Anyway, after they walked back to the car, my friend called and told me she heard Maria say: "OK, now we go to the Pawn Shop." Oh boy. I think that may explain what one of the crazies over there was doing in the side yard that morning. She was sitting on the ground sorting 'garbage' again. I walked by and heard, clink, clink, clink. I figured it was nuts and bolts. She spends hours 'sorting' things. BUT with the Comic showing up, homeless, needing money, now I think I know what she was sorting!

The old guy was rumored to have a SILVER DOLLAR collection. Bad Gal said she never found it, her ex (who she claims never was) remembered something about it but never saw it. I think they found that collection and the crazy girl was sorting the coins. Exact sound a large silver dollar would make if you tossed it into a bucket with others. I know that sound. I'm guessing they had the coins and were going to the pawn shop to sell them to help the Comic.

Ugh! It just keeps getting more and more convoluted. All these disconnected people, the news story, the Comic appearing HERE and the money bit. I have to keep watch now because if he's still HOMELESS, he is probably now living HERE. I'd bet on it. I'm just waiting for the same news crew to appear and do a story on how nice these people were to help him out and give him a place to live. I would then put a call into the TV station and ask them if they know the 'nice people' are Squatter's and Looters? THAT would be a wonderful news story. Better yet, I'd let Bad Gal do it. She can be on TV with the whole messy story. I think she would do that. My brain hurts. Too many fun things happening. Gotta go spy on the neighborhood.

Will it ever end?

No Space, it will never end! This afternoon, I was just checking on Maria's Facebook page. What I found was so stupid I can't believe it. She had LISTED with pictures, 7 items FOR SALE. Oh yes she did. I immediately called the ex boyfriend who used to live with the old guy and had him come over to see if he could identify anything. He COULD. 3 pictures (I gave him copies) he can truthfully say he knows were taken IN the house or garage and ONE item he can positively identify. The SAFE is the old guy's, the neon lunch board (from a restaurant) was taken with it lying on a CARPET that the ex recognizes. He slept on that carpet many times. Very distinctive OLD carpet with little flowers. The Safe he knows and the garage in the background of the safe he knows. He also identified some of the smaller items from earlier this week when 2 men were loading something very heavy into the truck.

I 'coached' the ex on what to say to the detective, and gave him all the Facebook addresses, etc. He called the detective and left a message. If he doesn't get a call back by noon tomorrow, I told him to GO to the police station and show them the pictures and give them the Facebook address so they can check out the sale for themselves. It's the old guy's address! Can anyone be taht stupid to have listed obviously stolen items and have people coming right to the Squatter's house? I guess they can since it's right there.

I'm hoping that nobody sees it and tells her to take it down. I'd love the detective to arrange a 'sting' and have an undercover cop BUY the safe and then arrest everyone for selling stolen property. I'm dreaming, but ya never can tell.

Sorta,

I don't understand why the police can't do anything. I get so frustrated just reading this I can't imagine the stress living it.

I don't know where to start. Ex boyfriend got a call back from the Detective in charge who pretty much said, "Thanks for calling, we can't do anything, it's a civil matter, etc." Could have been a recording since that's the pat answer we all are getting. The Ex explained the Facebook postings, that he could positively identify them, etc. Still no interest. Detective intimated that it was all the 'old guy's' fault for not writing a will and then none of this would happen. WOW! He actually said something like that. Let's just blame the dead for all the troubles.

So we gave up, told the Ex thanks for trying and I sent the copies of the 'for sale' items to the Niece along with a letter explaining what we tried to do.

TODAY: They were up early. Lots of pounding, and strange noises. Turns out they were dismantling one of two metal sheds at the back of the property. They took it apart and crammed the pieces into a small pick up and went off to the recycling place (I think) to get money for the aluminum. The second shed, they just pulled forward OFF the cement slab it was on. Doesn't look like they are dismantling it.

My theory is that tonight at midnight (their favorite time), they will be moving the Motorhome from the front driveway, around the corner, through the severely damaged chain link fence and onto the slabs that previously held the sheds. This will provide them will shade from the big trees in the neighbor's yard. They were already doing something with the 'electrical box' this morning per the neighbor. I'll bet they will be running a permanent wire to the new placement area. Can hardly wait till dark.

In the meantime: (Oh yes it gets better). Bad Gal drove by, saw the action. I called her and she had already been notified by a gal who lives up the street. Now I know which one is her 'spy'. So we chatted about the things for sale. She said one of those tables is HERS. Who can tell? She wasn't surprised and after I told her about the Ex calling the Detective, she seemed to already know all about what he and I talked about. I knew they still talked and he just can't keep a secret. Gotta be careful what I tell him.

So she called me back, said her fiance finally told her it was OK to call the local TV NEWS and she DID! OH dear! She said they will consider the story and call her back tonight. It's great that someone might get this on TV, but Bad Gal???!!!! She's the start of it all but she sounds like she never did anything wrong. What a mess. She wanted to know if I would talk to the News people about this, and I didn't say yes. Actually I WILL NOT talk to anyone but a lawyer or the police. I can't afford to have the bad guys or the police knowing what I think.

I did that once before in my lifetime. Talked to a reporter from a local newspaper about something that happened in my school. Went very badly with them twisting my words, which led to me being called into the district office with their LAWYER and threatened with being charged with Slander. Never again will I talk to News people. The whole thing was resolved with ALL of us (except the guilty ladies) losing our current teaching positions and being transferred to the ends of the district away from each other. They thought that would solve the problem. Little did the district know that within 2 years, we would all be back together, tighter than ever, doing what we loved best. One by one, starting with me, we all ended up teaching Alternative School and it was the best thing ever. This is the group that still meets once a month for lunch even after we are all retired.

Anyway, getting back to Bad Gal. She's definitely delusional. She talks as if she has done nothing wrong, ever, and if the News does this story, she may just come off as the hero of it all. Life is strange. I'm not going to put myself in jeopardy by talking to News Media people. Wish I could, but it won't turn out well, I know. I'm warning all my neighbors of what might happen. Won't know probably till tomorrow if they want to do the story. If they do, it's going to be fun to watch. I plan to stand on my porch in full sight of the cameras just for fun.

My head is spinning.

My brain hurts...

Free Aspirin or Advil or Tylenol on request. Today only. Hurry before supplies run out.

Ugh! Talk about heads spinning and major pain. I waited all night and I was wrong, at least for now. The Motorhome remains in place. They did however, have lights on in there most of the night. It was a promising sign. The second shed remains pulled forward on the grass/dirt. It has no floor now (plywood crumbled and it's off the concrete slab). They seem to be actually USING it for storing something.

In the meantime, they are up EARLY again picking through remnants of stuff that fell out of the sheds all over the back yard. They were probably up all night since the house lights remained on and it's way too early for anyone to be moving around given the prior day's activities. Already one of the 'usual' cars is there, so they are planning something. Meth must be great cause you never have to sleep.

The slab areas are now 'brush' piles. They moved all the broken tree branches (done on the first motorhome move) and grass and weeds and other wood junk onto the slabs along the fence where the sheds used to be. There is what looks like a bamboo bookcase on top. WHY? This is crazy. Why move a huge old junky shed forward just to make it's former place a junk pile when the entire back yard is available for that? Why sell off one of the aluminum sheds but not the other, when it's not usable where it is UNLESS they plan to make the shed a potty house, but then why move it off the slab? Are they going to dig pits inside and just bury the sewage? Nothing makes sense anymore.

No word on the TV News crew bit. I'd be surprised if they decided to do the story. Then again, it's close to the 4th of July and it could be a great 'American Serviceman Hero' piece. If Bad Gal calls and says no story, I'll suggest the other 5 news stations. They all do the 'human interest/investigation' segments. And it would be great to see Bad Gal 'bad-mouthing' our police force, et. al. If any news stations do a story, I'll put a link to it on here. Great for a late night's horror story just before bedtime. Geez, what other town has FIVE local news stations?

Off to spy. I think something big will happen today. My 'intuition' says so.

Oh, I hope so! I'm stuck up here at our American Legion Post all day waiting for different crews to show up to do some work. I need some distraction!

I hope it hits the news and we can view it online.

Well it's been totally boring all day. Nothing really going on that is strange except that the Squatters, who spent so much time cleaning up the yard, have now trashed it with all that shed moving. Stuff ALL over the back yard, piles of bound papers (not sure what they are). They look like manuals for something or manuscripts? They were in the sheds and now are part of a growing pile of junk which includes bits and pieces of metal, a metal storage rack, tree limbs, plastic bags, other stuff which is blowing around the yard. It's terrible. The Squatters go out and 'pick' at the stuff for a few minutes and then disappear. Only the 'usual' cars coming and going. Nothing going out that I can see. I think that at night now, they sit in or around the Motorhome picking through garbage. They might even be bringing IN garbage from other places to sort of 'identity theft' goodies. I'm sure they are into all sorts of illegal stuff. NO garbage has ever gone OUT of that place since January and with all those people, there HAS to be some garbage. I shudder to think of where they are stashing it. Garage? Under the house? The area between the garage and the neighbor's wooden fence? In the main house? There are endless possibilities.

I'm watching all day today. Got that feeling again that SOMETHING will happen. Gotta happen. I'm getting bored.

EDIT: The Realtor Lady that I put onto this mess just called. Her boss has been contacting the Niece weekly and she told him about the 'eviction' she is doing with a local lawyer, citing the reason for the eviction as 'non-payment of rent'. Sounds strange for Squatter stuff, but then the forms for 'reason for eviction' do not include Squatting as one of the choices. Not paying rent seems reasonable.

Niece also HAS returned the paperwork for pre-listing of the property so this sounds like it might be a go when it finally gets going. The realtor gal said she would let me know if things change, but she's optimistic that this will be the company doing the sale. Guess that's good news.

Maybe the weekend will bring some action.

I hope that there is some kind of final legal seizure on that place soon; not only due to whatever criminal activity must be going on there; but, more importantly, and I'm sorry to bring this up - but - if the squatters leave, or even if they're in there too long, I'd be concerned about the likely influx of vermin. Squatters could be considered a kind of vermin too, but they're easier to clean up/clear out then the animals.

And, good for you, SB for deciding to stay out of the newsy limelight. Bad Gal might do some really good acting and wind up with her face in the papers and on the screen as the one who caught the criminals. Later, tho, from the silent background might produce a wonderful piece of 'fiction' about a kindly neighborhood watch lady who began recording when a piece of abandoned neighborhood property became the stage for much nasty activity; and no one would believe or listen to her but her friends at Gameboomers. Or something like that.

I love your 'story' idea butterflybabe! Being in the background is my usual thing unless I just can't avoid taking needed action. I'm hoping that something will happen soon to get these human vermin out and then the other kind. I'm sure they are infested by now with something. Imagine all that drug use and what contamination that will cause.

Worst part about today is a nearby police force (sheriff) who are all around us in the unincorporated areas just blocks away here and there, did ANOTHER drug raid on 27 locations with loads of arrests of Meth users and sellers. WHY or why can't OUR police force do the same? Watch the drug activity, watch the houses where people report sales and then swoop in and arrest everyone in sight. Makes me so angry that all the other police agencies do this but NOT ours. All the school districts have had undercover officers looking for drug sales (pretending to be students) and then massive arrests. Ours? Never. Not one. They don't think it's necessary, since WE have NO crime here, right? Grrrrrrrr!

Still uncommonly calm around here today. Hummmmmm.

The calm before the storm?

Maybe maybe. Last night again, after 2 days of totally messy back yard and nothing changing, they managed to sneak out under cover of darkness AFTER midnight and clean up everything back there. I've got to stay up one night and watch. Amazing how they do that. Always when people are sleeping.

Nothing much today except that cars are arriving VERY early. For 2 days now, the 'usual' cars are appearing about 8 am or earlier and staying awhile. Dunno why the change in schedules. It was always afternoons and evenings. Now it's early mornings. Still keeping track but hardly anything to write in my 'diary' about. Hummmmmm.

This mystery should be on Masterpiece Theatre.

Still lots of coming and going of cars. Some new ones now I am seeing. Once again, there is an undercover cop car parked across the street. I'm hoping beyond all hope that it's watching that house. My neighbor lady (and partner in crime) says it's probably for someone up the side street that only is home or comes there on Saturdays. I'm not so sure. THIS time the guy stayed a full EIGHT hours before driving away. 9-5 Wow. Perhaps the Marshals are looking for that second wanted guy (cousin of the first) that they arrested last month. Maybe they are watching the drug activity? I'm hoping for either one. Optimism is good, and I'm trying even though nothing good is happening.

Today the Facebook page of Maria had some interesting stuff. Conversations between her and someone called Mia. I now have Mia's real name. Nice. She's been permanently over there since May. AND in May, Mia wrote to Maria already living there) that she missed her. Maria wrote back. "You will never guess where I'm living now. At the Clock House (pet name for the house), Legally this time!" Then she invited Mia to live with them since 'there's still loads of good stuff here to sell'. Geez! The poor old guy's possessions are just a means to an end. Maria had her cell phone cut off for lack of payment, but where is all the $$$$ going that they are getting for selling all the stolen stuff? Obviously not to pay the bills. OH and Mia wrote, "I guess HE drew you to the house and wants you there". A reference to the old guy. How crazy are these people to thing that some divine intervention is allowing them to squat and loot a dead guys stuff to support their drug habits? Brings a whole new meaning to praying for what you want. I'm just amazed at their boldness.

Here's hoping HE has sent some undercover cops to GET THEM!

i wish someone could represent the old guy and end this madness.

Me too Space. Unfortunately the Detective was right when he said the old guy caused all this. He was estranged from his entire family, never married, no kids, didn't leave a will, was a hoarder (sign of some sort of mental problems) and then had the nerve to die. Terrible history there. From what I can gather, the entire clan is dysfunctional so it's no wonder nothing is getting handled in a timely manner.

The family should have immediately emptied and sold the house and none of this would be happening. It's been 18 months since he died and still nothing is wrapped up. The Niece assures me that things are in progress, but we still have seen nothing that would indicate that the Squatters are being kicked out, or that the police are doing anything to help. Such a mess. I wonder if the neighborhood can sue the family for 'failure to handle' this situation? Might be a good case for some hungry lawyer who wants to get on the News.


I can see the story now:

Neighborhood Sues Family of Deceased Man!

"A lawsuit was filed today by several neighbors against the estate of a deceased man and his family. They are asking 5 million dollars for having to endure the constant looting of his house by thieves, with no police support. They claim their once quiet, happy neighborhood is now a dangerous place to live.

The house, now known as 'The Clock House' by the looters and community, due to the thousands of clocks the old man collected, has been consistently looted since before his death. One particular looter, now known as 'Bad Gal', was the prime instigator of the entire fiasco. She managed to get the keys from her now ex-boyfriend (although she claims he never was more than a friend) and moved into the hoarded house telling everyone she was only cleaning it for the old guy. She was seen taking items from the home on numerous occasions, under cover of darkness at first and then in broad daylight as she realized that the local Police refused to do anything about the thefts, or to make her leave the house. She eventually enlisted the aid of several friends to help her sort and sell the goods, loading up trucks with items and selling them at local swap meets or sometimes right at the curb in front of the house.

For the past 18 months, neighbors have been calling the Police, who at first, responded, but to the dismay of all, only took names of the looters, made them toss the 'loot' back over the fence where it stayed in plain sight of all, only to be taken later, and let the thieves walk or drive away. Neighbors reported people jumping into and out of the fenced yard with loads of items in their hands, pulling up cars to the fence and loading it with huge amounts of boxed items, and at one point, watched a couple wheeling a hand truck, overloaded with boxes, up the street, in broad daylight, past several houses, dropping items as they went.

Every time looters were spotted, someone called the police, but it became so absurd that at one point, the neighbors (all good citizens) were told by the Police "Don't call us again, we will not respond to this address". Neighbors however, continued to try to get rid of the looters who were now Squatting in the house, but when police arrived, the Squatters produced forged/fake papers (prepared by a certified Lawyer friend of Bad Gal), which said they had a legal right to occupy the house. The police accepted the papers without question.

The Squatters eventually became bolder and after several months, and some unknown internal squabbling, banished Bad Gal, who then was angry and tried to evict them. She got the same answers from the police that the neighborhood had already heard, "There is nothing we can do, it's a civil matter." She was furious but eventually gave up when all avenues (including going to the News Media) failed.

The Squatters/looters continue at the time of this writing, to invite more and more friends to live in the house. They have installed full utilities and have had services installed by 3 different Cable/TV/Phone/Internet providers. Cars come and go at all hours and there are signs of drug sales and probably production. Police still refuse to intervene in any way saying, "It's the old man's fault for not leaving a will, and the family doesn't want to cooperate with us, so our hands are tied."

The neighbors who filed the lawsuit are hoping to at the very least, get the police to force the squatters/looters out of the house and out of the neighborhood. They are asking that the Executor of the estate be charged with failure to act in a timely manner and force him/her to resolve this situation by immediately selling the house or having the city declare it an 'attractive nuisance' and have it demolished.

Law Enforcement Officials have been contacted but refuse to comment on the case. Updates on this case will be available when new information is gathered."




Ahhhhhh I can dream can't I??????

18 months and no end in sight. Very sad.

So I just get back from 3 hours in the dentist's chair, upper lip full of anesthesia, come in, open my front door for air, and what do I see??? Bad Gal in front of my house and so is a CHANNEL 10 NEWS car. Just what I needed to make my day. Nothing like getting the neighbors to come out of their houses and gawk at my house. Can't miss a 'wrapped' car with Channel 10 New Team, etc all over it! They both came right up to my door and I invited them in. How could I not since the news guy was well over 6 feet, blonde, gorgeous and a VERY nice guy! Too bad he's at least 30 years younger than I am. Darn, and happily married (his wife called him several times). He kept calling me pet names (beautiful, charming, love, etc.) Funny.

So I agreed to give him limited information about things, but no quoting, no definite things unless they were 'public knowledge' as on the web. Definitely would not be on TV or quoted. He looked at the Facebook pages I pulled up and took a few pictures on his phone. We had a lovely time. However, MOST of the time he was in here, he was commenting on MY house and all it's oddities and collections and how neatly arranged they all were. He was fascinated. He asked to do a news story on my house and I said nope nope nope. Second news person to want to film a story on all my stuff and why and how I collected it all. Fun part was, as he looked around he pointed to the top of a shelf and said, "You've got an empty space there". We all laughed since every available space is filled with things. Guess I missed one and will now have to get more stuff.

Anyway, to finish about the news story, Bad Gal went out front of my house and he set up his camera, put a microphone on her and filmed for about 5 minutes of questions, etc. Then they walked across the street to the Squatter's and went inside. Actually, it wasn't so easy. The guy over there with the motorhome, refused to allow them until Bad Gal said she WAS coming in, had paperwork to prove she could, etc.

They were over there about 15 minutes, didn't get to go in all rooms since the guy blocked the doors. At one point, the news guy said they almost came to blows with the guy. Scary. He wanted to film how the house looks, and have Bad Gal tell him how it used to be when it was hoarded, etc. He saw 3 of the girls and 2 guys. Only the hubby and wife spoke to him, except that one girl yelled a bit and walked off. Maria, the prime target, just stared and said absolutely nothing.

They came back over here (why is it always revolving around ME and my house?). We chatted a bit more, I talked to Bad Gal out front while the news guy went across the street and filmed himself in front of the house. Neat to watch. He is one of the few mews guys who actually do all the filming, editing, etc. Then he was back and I got a picture of him. Ohhhhhhh. So handsome in a nice suit and tie. I'm in love.

Bad Gal and he left BUT he came back in a little while after talking to the police and being told they didn't want to be involved with anything having to do with that house. I had already warned him what they would say. I was right. But he wanted desperately to get someone around here to talk on camera (or be disguised on camera) about how bad this situation is, how we are afraid for the neighborhood, sleepless, and all that. I refused nicely. I also called the two other 'detectives' and they also refused. Good thing because we could all be 'targets'. As it is, THEY are driving by, slowly, looking, and I'm pretty sure I got followed to the store yesterday evening. Pretty scary stuff. I'm on guard.

But hopefully he will get a decent story, or not. It's up to him. It was all I could do to not shout, "SHE's the cause of all of this stuff!" "Why are you listening to her delusions?". He already seemed to know that. He let on that he doesn't believe everything she told him. Good for him. Smart guy. It' a matter of who to believe, Squatter/looter number one, or Squatter/looter numbers 2-20ish.

Now we wait. He was going to put this on TV tonight, but told me he had to wait to check a few more things like the city officers and the lawyer's documents that Bad Gal actually SHOWED him!! I want to seeeeeee. She's afraid. I tried best I could today. They were right there on the car seat in front of me, within arm's reach if I could grab them and run. I thought about it and decided if I ran, I would probably end up in the emergency room.

While this news guy was here, at least 6 cars came and went. He told me he 'noticed' that activity and knew what it meant. Yup. He's smart. OH and, get this, he's the lead reported that broke the Harmony Brown case here in our town. Wow. I've gotta look up his reports. That was about 2-3 years back and what started this stupid new 'don't bother the squatter's' mind-set.

What was really fun was watching the guy across the street who shunned me over 2 years ago and hasn't spoken or looked at me (except an occasional glare). He, his wife, and 3 daughters were sneaking around the yard, trying to get a good look at what was happening. Wife was taking pictures. I'm sure they really don't know what's going on, but if that jerk would just come over and ask, he could have the entire story. His loss. He's so strange! News guy noticed too.

Off to do some research. More exciting news when it's available. Film at 11.....

If it's on, we need a LINK to watch!

Film at 11

Still no idea if that News Story will be aired on our local TV station. I was hoping the guy would find a 'safe' way to present the salient points without mentioning any of the 'past' deeds of the participants. I'm not so sure he wants to get involved with this one, but you never know. I'm watching the news each night to see. Gee, he might even have filmed my mailbox out front since the camera pointed that way.

As for Bad Gal, she's still in tears even the next day. I really really think she's trying to kick her self-medication habit. Yup. Rare to see her talking slowly and crying over things. Usually she's super hyper and moving fast. We are all hoping it's the new boyfriend/fiance, who seems to be almost normal (compared to all her other 'friends') I think he might be trying to convince her to stop the insanity. Could be good for everyone.

She called again to try to get me to be on camera. Nope. Already told her and the news guy. I asked my 2 partners in crime (detectives) and they are afraid too, of what might happen. Already, I had that car follow me to the store, then yesterday, I was on my porch on the phone to a neighbor, and a car left that house and cruised SLOWLY past my house, at one point actually pausing right in front! This is something I must be really careful with. I refuse to be kept INSIDE my own house because of them. It's all Bad Gal's fault for telling everyone I have security cameras. Now they think I'm recording everyone 24/7. And it doesn't help that Bad Gal is using my house for 'sanctuary'. I'm sure the squatters over there assume I'm her friend and that I am helping her with all this stuff. I showed the news guy what I can see on the monitor since he asked of he could see a tape. It's way too tiny and far away to see anything more than figures and you can't see car license plates etc. I told him it wouldn't help. My still shots from my little LUMIX camera are much better. I use that for license plates and occasionally catch people in it. I refused to show the news guy even that stuff. Don't want anyone except police, lawyer, judge to see any of what I have.

So now we wait and wait. Maybe no news story, but at least the news guy is alerted to what's going on over there and just might tell others (who have some clout) and maybe THEY will do something. One can only hope.

Above all stay safe Sorta.

The STORY is a GO! This is just the Facebook teaser. Picture with some comments from the News Guy. I'm delirious! Been calling people all afternoon. This link should give the Facebook page of Joe Little of Channel 10 San Diego. The top few comments (scroll to find them) are just a great still shot of the squatters and some responses. I'll copy the actual video when it airs tonight. Oh boy oh boy! Wish I knew what angle he was going for. Guess I will have to wait. It's like Christmas!

You gotta LOVE the gal in the foreground.

https://www.facebook.com/JoeLittle10News?fref=ts

WooHoo!!! That's awesome!

That's incredible, Sorta! We will stay tuned!

I can't wait to see the footage.

Oh, wow! It does sort of feel like Santa Claus is coming! And as an aside, umm.. yeah, a little hubba, hubba going on with this guy. AND he has puppies around his neck.

Here's what you all have been waiting for. Most of the 'good stuff' about drugs and all that were edited (can't have a news guy saying stuff that might be misconstrued) but you can get the idea. The one is the flowered dress is Bad Gal, the others are the current Squatters and past friends of hers. She lied lied lied to the news guy, but oh well, not my responsibility to correct her tale of intrigue. There are also two 'screen shots' of the document she is using to fool the police but I won't include those here. I can see plainly that her 'lawyer' states that the old guy had a VERBAL rental agreement with her. Oh liar liar pants on fire! Since he's not here to dispute that, I guess it stands on Bad Gal's word and the faked documents of her lawyer. OH listen very carefully to the girl yelling at Bad Gal in the doorway. She actually says (hard to hear) that Bad Gal's paperwork is FAKE. Oh yes she does. Ha.

The interview with Bad Gal is right in front of my house. Thank goodness he edited out my mailbox with the number clearly visible. Not that it helps much. After the story aired, 10...TEN cars pulled up to the Squatter's house within 5 minutes and stayed about 15-20 minutes. Loaded with people. I am thinking maybe they wanted to see the story, or had seen the story, and were planning en masse to do something to Bad Gal. Yup. I feel something bad is coming.

Hope it's not ME. I'm watching my back!


https://www.facebook.com/JoeLittle10News/videos/818096721639966/?video_source=pages_finch_main_video


AND this is what didn't make it on the news video but was a still shot that the News Guy put on his Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/JoeLittle10News...4987547/?type=1

Maybe you should tell him that the Bad gal doesn't belong there.

So, Lopez is Bad Gal? She deserves an Academy Award. What an act!

Yup, Ana, I would, but he figured that out all by himself. He came back after talking to the police (when Chrissy was gone) and we had a little chat about her 'not being totally innocent' and I advised him that those 'legal papers' were probably forged or done by her 'friend' and were not the truth. He didn't comment on the video, but did show the pages on screen shots so I could read portions which I can definitely say that 'a dead man didn't give her an ORAL rental contract' period. Gads! She lies and lies and what's worse, I think she BELIEVES her own lies. Delusional, totally. News guy was very very careful not to show or say anything except the truth. He let Bad Gal do all the talking. He probably filmed 20 minutes or more of stuff, but edited it down to just the 'teaser'. Wish I could have the ENTIRE tape.

Yup Sparkle, she gets the award for crying on cue. Wow. I would have been fooled too if I didn't know her. At least we got to see inside the house, got close up views of those druggies and let them know that now everyone knows. News guy knows it's a drug house, he's not stupid. I'm hoping that he can put pressure on some authorities in some way that might help.

I just mailed off the video and a still shot of the gal giving the camera the finger. Very funny. She doesn't even know WHICH finger to use. AND if you watch closely, her eyes are all messed up and she can't think straight. I wonder why???

Here's a story out of Chicago that shows how people can get away with this sort of thing until law enforcement gets all the t's crossed and i's dotted.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/da...0701-story.html

What a sad story but I will say Bad Girl can act.

I was going to post that too Sparkle. I can't believe how bold people are.

Ana

Thanks for that article Sparkle. It's amazing how this happens. Wish OUR city would get on the ball instead of saying, "it's a civil matter, our hands are tied". I've heard that so many times it's sickening. Maybe this News Story might make them think again.

Did you know that there are step-by-step instructions for Squatters? Just type squatters in your search engine and you will find concise instructions to do just what that Chicago couple did. I know all about it now and it's SO EASY. The worst thing about squatters, and our in particular, is THEY have NO FEAR. It's because the police told them they won't do anything to them. How awful is that?

We are all hoping that the local news article might reach the right 'ears' and things will start to move. I'm praying it does. Can't stand what's happening and it's so FUNNY that Bad Gal is actually trying to be Good Gal now. Amazing. We all decided IF she can get these horrible people out, we would rather have HER there. She doesn't attack neighbors, she is neat and clean, and despite her skewed view of the world, she's not a scary person.

I keep thinking about the EYES of 'Jennifer'. She's clearly ON something, maybe several somethings. And the scary girl in the doorway reminds me of a wraith or banshee. Sunken cheeks, sunken eyes...ohhhhh!

Sorta

Well this is interesting. Since the big NEWS story, and that onslaught of cars that night, there have been only TWO cars appear over there! Well, actually 3 if you count the pickup truck that delivered twin beds last night. Obviously this crew doesn't plan on moving out anytime soon.

We are thinking that when that news man walked in, camera rolling, they had NO idea why he was there. They, in their drug fueled state, might have thought it was a story about 'The Clock House' and how great they were cleaning it up. Just thinking. They may not have known it would turn into a 'we want you out' session. If they had any suspicions, I figure they would have noticed the News Car across the street, and locked themselves in their rooms to avoid being on camera. Could they really be so stupid as to not figure it out?

In any case, things are SLOW over there. It's Friday, a big night for mega sales and we have yet to see even one car appear. Noon is the usual time for some to show up, although 8-10 we have seen various people waking up and walking to the corner liquor store and the relatively new, Smoke Shop, for supplies.

We all are watching to see if cars are parking out of view or if they might have taken the 'drug sales operation' off site. I'd be happy if it was the latter. Get the creepy people out of the neighborhood. Still no acknowledgement on Facebook or Twitter from any of the participants. Weird. You would think they would be yakking it up to all their friends.

Sitting, watching, waiting for something, anything, to happen.

for the updates Sorta.

Well, the lull was temporary. Lots of cars as usual especially on weekend nights. 4 stayed overnight last night. Today, they brought in another new toilet. I assume they are either trying to get bathroom number 2 working, OR they are installing plumbing in the now cleaned out garage so someone can live in there.

THEN my friend/tenant and I walked down to the corner for some Ablondigas and saw that they were using some steel roofing panels to close off the gap between the garage and the next door neighbor's fence. That will permanently hide the garbage they are dumping there (none ever goes out). On the way back, we took the side street and noticed that they had put plywood over the window totally blocking it, AND they had dragged the metal shed OVER the door, so it's not accessible. Only way in now is the broken window on the end and to get to that, you have to vault over a 4 foot brick wall! WHAT are they up to?

I'm still guessing they are going to grow marijuana in there. Might explain the playing with the water shut-off all night and ditto for the electrical panel. Gotta love em.

This is becoming The Never Ending Story.

If the police don't do anything after the story on the news it doesn't look good for an end to this saga Sorta.

A tiny ray of hope today. A nice red car with a well dressed man with a camera and clipboard was there. He spent 7 minutes taking pictures and making notes on the clipboard. He went INTO the yard from the front for at least 3 minutes and then stood out front again and took a few more pictures. It's a real mess over there. It's like they are professional garbage collectors.

In the past 2 days, a pick up truck has been coming and going. It has 'stuff' in the bed but leaves with more stuff from the property. Today it arrived FULL, but then was seen putting more stuff in from the yard. The truck returned this afternoon empty except for an empty plastic trash can. I guess they are cleaning out some stuff. I saw a large plastic wheeled hose thingy, a hard hat, some empty antifreeze bottles (or not empty who knows) a large window screen, a rusty barbeque and lots of other junk. Could be they are finally getting rid of stuff, however, the junky couch is still there, the front/side yard is still full of garbage bags, etc. I am thinking that all the junky stuff is coming out of the garage, and this is the 'new' couple who will be living there (after they figure out the wiring that is). They are constantly at the fuse box. Dunno why but I assume they are blowing fuses doing something. Who knows what wiring a 1930's house has?

Hope that guy today was code enforcement and something good happens. OR even better, some guy serving a summons for the 'owner'. I don't think they would take pictures though. Time will tell.

It sounds like the wheels might finally be turning Sorta.

I'm trying to stay positive. So now I wonder who the guy with the camera and clipboard was and HOW he got the OK to go over there. Wasn't a realtor or he would have taken pictures of the entire house from all angles. Wasn't anyone any of us called because they won't respond to US anymore. He only took pics of the yard and the MESS in the front which they are now trying to conceal by hanging clothing and other rags over the chain link. Looks like a garbage dump/slum. I'm glad the old ratty couch they brought IN but left outside forever is still there. Makes a nice picture I think.

Yesterday I think they took a few more items out. Not sure. You can never tell whether the 'new' pickup truck is bringing or taking, maybe a little of both. I could swear it came in full and left not quite as full. For 30 bucks every two months, they could start the city trash service. Actually they already have it but don't know it. The lien was lifted a few months back, but nobody ever called to get some trash cans (provided free). Stupid people doing stupid things.

AND to make matters worse, the ex-friend of Bad Gal (Maria) became a grandmother for the umteenth time. So last night, they had a PARTY to celebrate. People came all at once and left in the same car (packed like sardines). There was her daughter and son-in-law, a mid-aged couple (probably other kids) and a VERY old couple (80's?) who had to be helped to walk. They all came out together with plates of food or maybe just cake and the daughter decided she should throw her plate in the gutter as she left. How nice. As if we don't have enough garbage already. Now the stuff from the yard is crawling towards the streets. In the last week, we have now 3 mushy somethings, and a bunch of empty plastic bags, and some 'food' items all spilling out onto the road. Crows are trying to eat one little something right in the middle of the intersection and one got hit yesterday. He recovered (thank goodness) but today they are still pecking at whatever seems good out there. What a wonderful group. Trash in the streets around our little area is not a normal thing. We all clean up the sidewalks and gutters at least once a week (or more if it's a windy period).

Inside the house (as you can tell by the Channel 10 News Story video, it's a mess. People sleeping on the floor, in the living room, clothes hanging from the curtain rods, the worst is probably in the locked rooms. I still think they are setting up a Meth Lab or Marijuana grow over there. Time will tell.

As for today, they all went to sleep by 4:30am. Yeah, they are UP all night. OH and the night-time activities night before last, included spray painting some GANG graffiti on the wall of the Smoke Shop at the corner. Just what I assumed, they are all members of the local gang in our neighborhood. It will be fun to see if the nearest rival gang crosses it out and writes their own. We have been free of graffiti for at least a year till now. Once it starts, it gets really bad. It just confirms that they and their friends are not the nicest neighbors.

WHEN will it be over? I have more important things to do, like watch some of my 50 or so, DVD's, that I bought and never watched. Managed to watch 3 this week. See...things are winding down a bit. hardly any 'notes' taken for 2 weeks. Still waiting for the SWAT team to attack. Got my camera ready.

for the update Sorta.

Today's fun. I knew things would heat up eventually. Neighbor up the side street (one of my 'detectives'). She told me that the Squatters had just dug up the septic tank, removed a plastic cover, then a plywood cover, stuck a 4 foot stick in there and it came of soaking wet with 'you know what'. Then they stuck a pitchfork in it and it was totally wet even right at the surface. She said the SMELL was awful and her mother, whose bedroom is right next door, was having trouble breathing.

I told her to call Hazmat or Code Enforcement immediately. (Mom was OK, just umcomfy with the smell). She called me back and gave me a new number to call. She had been directed to call our city Public Works office. She reported all she could see and knew about the situation, ie. stupid squatters, smell, wet ground, them digging around next to the GAS meter (ohhhh) etc. Then I called the same number, reported all I knew about things and the SMELL which wafts over here when the wind changes.

Then I called Bad Gal and SHE called Public Works, and they were VERY interested in her story. Asked if they could call her back for 'further details'. She told them about the bare electric wires under the house lying in water from the broken sewer pipe. Of course she didn't tell them she was the 'first' squatter, but who cares at this point.

Anyway, now we wait for tomorrow and see if anyone shows up to look over the situation. With a little or a lot of luck, they will condemn the premises, make everyone move out until the house is hooked up to the city sewer. They will never be able to afford the 8-12000 bucks for that. The city will not allow them to just pump out the septic tank. New rules for old houses. Once there is a problem, you have to convert to the sewer system like it or not.

I'm hoping we get some good stuff going from this one. Crossing fingers.

Having spent my entire career as a field inspector enforcing sanitary sewer regulations, I have a feeling this one might finally do the trick.

Good luck Sorta.

Yup. You're talking EPA violations now. The septic tank is a serious health issue. Can't imagine what's going on inside that house at this point.

It sounds like they should just come in with a bulldozer and flatten the place.

Well it's been fun for the last few days. Two days in a row, they have brought IN junk from somewhere. A pickup truck comes with a full load and then people from the house scurry around emptying it into the yard. As of last night, they had the front porch blocked with boxes and lawn chairs and other stuff. Then they brought in another load and plopped it right in full view of the sidewalk. What the heck are they doing? Gathering junk from other houses? Picking up stuff a the city dump? Weird.

There was a guy yesterday who walked around the place just looking. Not sure who he was either.

So this morning, a sheriff car with lights blinking, showed up as did an unmarked 'official' SUV. The sheriff and guy in plain clothes (with some sort of badge around his neck) both went around the edge of the property and finally went inside the gate. They were in there several minutes. I saw the sheriff in the back yard looking over the barricade at the garage. We can only guess that they were serving a summons, or an eviction notice. No way to know. It couldn't have been a warrant for arrest since there would have been more people. OR that could have been a bail bonds guy. Dunno.

Then later today, a guy in a truck with some sort of 'logo' parked up the street and walked around the place again, paying special attention to the back yard where the septic tank has been dug into. He also went inside and talked to someone. Still have no idea who he was either since the logo was so tiny that 2 of us couldn't read it. Darn. Maybe Code Enforcement or Public Works or Environmental Health guy.

They were up all night again. Lights blazing till 4:30 am. AND during that time, the huge pile of junk was reduced to half the size. Where it all went, we can only guess, since NOTHING went out.

So it's all guessing now. My wish is that the sheriff and other guy served an eviction and that the other guy later was from city code about the septic tank. Our close neighbors were chatting this morning about sewage smell and were going to call the city. We advised NOT to give the address, but just the cross streets since we are almost certain that anything with the actual address will just be ignored. Might have worked.

More news tomorrow if anything fun happens. I'm so busy. One of my friends who I eat lunch with once a month asked me today what I was going to do when this was all over. I told her I would have to find a new hobby. She finds it all amusing (as do I most days).

Hope things keep heating up. Time for me to find that new hobby!

Well things are perking. I think we will see some action soon from the sound of things.

Me too!

So did I happen to mention that 2 nights ago at 10:30 pm the Motor Home in the driveway, which they have been using even though the Code Enforcement told them not to, drove away! Yup, hasn't come back. I think they might actually have sold it, or it's just out for repairs or? You never know until you know.

In the meantime, there is that large yellow truck which keeps coming in with a load of TRASH. All sorts of junk, clothes, barbeques, metal cabinets. I think they must be scouring the alleys and yards and just loading it up. Then they dump it all in the driveway over there and everyone sorts the stuff into piles. In a few hours, they re-load the truck with 'sellable' metal stuff and off it goes, only to return a few hours later, packed with ANOTHER load of junk. So weird. I guess they sell the metal for cash and it gives them a few bucks.

Nothing new from the Niece, nothing from anyone. Don't see any signs of anyone leaving the place, but there are fewer cars that make the 'regular' stops. Only 2 that I see every day and now a few different ones very very late night. I'm sure they are still in the drug business, but since the arrest of a guy I recognize as being there frequently a few days back, it's slowed way down.

There was a murder 2 blocks away, probably gang related after a murder a few blocks farther about an hour earlier. Just some boyfriend and girlfriend, leaving a party and some guy walks up to them and shoots the girl dead right there. Not the guy. Strange? Nobody can seem to give a description of the shooter. Usual in gang stuff. They prefer to hunt down the other gang and kill one of them in revenge. Anyway, 2 hours after the girl was slaughtered, the police were across the street with 5 or 6 cars arresting a guy. Had him on the ground on his belly, in handcuffs and were yelling at him about giving them his REAL name.

Into a car he went and off to the station. I managed to look up that day's arrest records and found his full name. When he was transferred to the 'big' jail, it gives all his charges. Burglary, mis-use of credit cards, using false paperwork to get credit cards, forgery, and probably the biggie, Violation of Parole. Nice guy living right across from me huh? All of them probably have long arrest records. I know a few. One of the girls was in prison for 2 years and is on parole now. I found it amusing that as the police were arresting this guy, that ALL of the lights in the house mysteriously went out. They are NEVER all out. Then when the police left, one they go again.

So we sit, we watch, nothing happened that we can see even after the 2 'official' looking guys went over there. Very discouraging. Very awful that nothing is being done despite all the complaints about all sorts of things. It's a junkyard over there again now. Was all cleaned up in the yard and now it's trash. NOTHING of daily trash going out, not even in the pickup loads. It's all being piled up in the yard and fenced off from sight. I'm imagining the next door neighbor is enjoying the odors since their bedroom windows face that spot only 6 feet away. Ugh!

Off to do some real stuff today. Waiting to see if the Motor Home returns. I'm enjoying NOT seeing it over there.

One can hope that the person who was arrested can be talked into ratting out some of the others. That would really get the ball rolling. Ms. Lopez is going to regret claiming ownership of the property once all the chickens come home to roost.

Well, I was gone for an hour to the hardware store and when I drive back SIX police cars were surrounding the house AGAIN. The one girl we call Mia (crazy meth head) was out at the fence in her nighty, and just talking to the cops. All 6 police went inside the fence, then I got really curious when they disappeared out of my sight. So I prodded my neighbor guy to walk up the street and see what was happening. I figured some sort of domestic violence or they might be reporting a robbery themselves. Wouldn't put it past them to complain to the cops about THEIR stolen stuff being stolen.

But NO, it wasn't that and not domestic. I stood there in plain sight just beyond one of the police cars and said hi to the guy who was clearing. There had been a tall, gray haired guy up against the garage in handcuffs. They made him lift up his shirt and took pictures of his tattoos on his chest and back. Then they uncuffed him and let him go. The gal smiled and the two of them went back into the house.

This particular cop was young and friendly and was nice to me saying he could tell I have a lot of info on the place. He mentioned Bad Gal by her name and I said, yes, I knew her, she started all this and has now been kicked out by people she brought in. The original cop was a gal who drives by occasionally and didn't recognized the gal and guy so she called in back up. Must have been a slow Sunday for all.

Anyway, I enlightened them quickly on all the stuff, told them I was in contact with the owner (he said niece? and I confirmed when he said her first name). He had tried to call her, I said just keep trying, She will eventually answer. He seemed happy for that info. I told him I get calls from her and we write back and forth etc. He asked if I might be willing to be contacted for more info on what I know.

I mentioned the DRUG traffic and that the News Guy even mentioned it while he was here. They hasn't seen the news story (nobody around her watches the news!) but I told them where to look. Hopefully they will look at the report. He they were inside today and the place is a horrible mess. Yup, easy to figure. Same thing said by the news guy. I also said about the holes in the walls, and in the yard looking for treasure. AND mentioned the septic system overflowing and NOBODY will respond to our calls anymore.

Maybe, just maybe today is my lucky day. I mentioned two of the former contacts I have had and they are familiar with both of them. One is a supervisor and the other the Detective. So we are all on the same page.

I really hope that something will get started with all this. They did say they would be driving by on 'extra patrol' (I've heard that one before. AND IF I see them driving my my house slowly (doing what we call out here 'mad-dogging' or following me around, to call immediately and they will indeed respond to that. Nice to know.

Probably just one new young guy that didn't get the 'message' not to bother with things over there, but ya only need ONE person to get something done. Maybe he's the one. I begged, told them about several neighbors calling in and we all get the same, we are not responding to that address anymore answer. They seems a bit surprised. Still, hopful that something might happen even if it's jut to SCARE these jerks into moving out because the cops are watching. Hassling someone in the yard is a good thing I think. WE SEE YOU...uhhuh.

Sorta.

I like the ratting out idea!

More curious fun and games. The same AGENT of some type who appeared over there 6 days ago with a sheriff in tow, came back today with TWO Highway Patrol vans. So weird. Again, he had plain clothes, unmarked SUV and a badge on his belt. He and the 2 Highway patrolmen went into the property, rousted the crazy Meth head gal from the far back barricaded garage area, but no one was arrested and they were only there about 10 minutes. Agent came out without the 'papers' and all left. They all came down the street at the same time with the agent in the SUV motioning the 2 CHP cars to pull over.

I looked up what CHP does, since it's weird that one week this guy was with a Sheriff and then with CHP, and it says that they often handle back-up for federal crimes, dangerous felons, or...just serving of papers for various matters. So so strange, a real mystery.

I got a picture of the SUV today and found after blowing it up, it had GOVERNMENT plates. Deeper mystery. Who is the guy? Why is he here 2 weeks in a row, what or who is he looking for and if it was something to do with the motor home, that was here on his last trip. I think he's looking for a specific person either with a warrant or a summons to appear for some trial? Maybe all these people are in witness protection?

Sorta.

Found out last night who the guy was that our local PD had handcuffed against the garage early in the morning a few days back. Seems he is a 'mole' that checks out stuff for Bad Gal. She had said she was sending someone who had 'access' to inside the place to just see who is there, etc. Well, after he got hassled by the cops, he called her back and said, "Guess I picked the wrong time to be over there." Ha. Now I know who he is. Bad Gal is very very closed on WHO her 'contacts' are. Never will give me a full name, hedges on nicknames, but I have put a few together with the Facebook pages of some of the others. This guy I had already 'flagged' as some I'd seen earlier who indeed was who I thought. Interesting. He doesn't live there, never did.

Today's project is to CALL the realtor who has had contact with the Niece and see what she knows or if there is progress. THEN I am going to use up some of my precious minutes on my cell phone (which I never use nor give out the number) to call the Niece myself and ask point blank IF the eviction papers have been served and if not, WHEN? I will again enlighten her on the chaos over here. At this point, I could care less if she gets mad at me or anyone. She's done NOTHING that we can see to stop this insanity. We are all guessing now that it is SHE who is holding up probate. Makes sense.

I'm so tired of just waiting for something to happen and then when something does, not knowing WHAT the heck it is. Geez! Maybe a neighborhood lawsuit against the Niece might get something going? I know several of us who are just plain tired of all of this.

OH and it looks like they figured out a 'solution' to the stopped up septic tank. There is now a TRENCH from the area of the house where the drain pipe comes out and it runs across and all the way back to the fence of the next house. SMELL is horrible. I saw the guy trenching about a foot down with a pick axe and then the neighbor said they covered the trench with brush and weeds. THEN the smell started. Good way to fix the drainage and make it someone else's problem huh? I suspect there is a pit at the end of the trench right next to the driveway to the next house (who is the aged/ill mother of one of my 'detectives'). Not a good thing. We are hoping to get someone out to look at this new development by being creative with the call. I've advised the gal nearest to call our gas and electric company saying she smells gas. THEY will respond immediately, they have to. Either the company or the fire or PD or all of them will be here in 15 minutes or less and then will determine it's not natural gas, but sewage. Then the proper agency can take over, they won't just say 'no' because of the address, etc. Good plan. Something has to be done. When the wind changes, the smell comes over to my house, about 300 feet across the intersection.

I wonder if Donald Trump might want to get involved in this??

What a nightmare Sorta. Maybe you ought to contact the reporter and see if he will do a follow up that might get some attention on the situation.

Today they cut a 5x5 foot hole directly in the center of the wonderful 1920's wooden sliding garage door! I assume they are making the garage into more living space and wanted a window to take the place of the others they boarded up? This is making no sense at all. A lovely home is being slowly, piece by piece, torn apart. Makes me so angry.

Nothing from the Niece. I called the realtor gal who is trying to work with her and she said she was told, 'I'm just not sure what I want to do right now. I need time to decide". Yup, she's stalling. I guess I will call the Niece myself and see if I can get her to tell me if eviction papers have been served OR even started. I'm thinking nothing is being done and we are all being played by her. Not a good feeling.

No cops yet today. Still plenty of time before nightfall.

"Still plenty of time before nightfall."

Love the faith in more drama to come.

Time for a short update:

After the big TV story about the house, things calmed down on the 'drug buyers'. They only come after dark now. Makes it a bit more fun but hard to see the cars. Some new 'squatters' are arriving. Not sure who, but 2 more guys, a very short gal who, when she stands full height on the ledge of the huge pick up truck, doesn't even reach the top of the window ledge with her head. So creepy. At first I thought she was a troll. Long hair (more than half her height), baggy clothes and a shape like a pear with toothpick legs. Must be part of the 'family' since one side always has UNCUT hair. Looks the same. Never saw anyone so short though trying to climb into a huge pick up. I thought it was a kid at first. Ha. Maybe it's the drugs.

As for other things. Very calm except for the constant in and out of cars all night till 4 or 5 am. No police, no other 'official' looking cars or people, nothing heard from the Niece or the wanna be realtor.

BUT after the news story, 3 weeks later, a 'shouting match' started on Facebook (the channel 10 news one). The first volley was directed towards ME! Used MY name and accused me of calling the cops a bunch of times and not having a life, etc. So sensing that they 3 weeks later, had decided to start up a row, decided the best thing to do was to responds, nicely, and explain the TRUTH. I carefully constructed a 'retort' and didn't lie. Never called the cops on THIS group. Did call the cops on Bad Gal in January when she lied about me. Security cameras are for MY protection after a burglary in 1980ish. Don't know anything about THEM personally and all I've heard is rumors (which are rumors and can't be proven), etc. This gal actually said on Facebook for all to see that she was a Heroin addict (reformed now) uhuhh. Spent time in prison, was just trying to live a quiet life, blamed everything on Bad Gal, AND the funniest part, lamented about how the trash around there was LEFT by Bad Gal and NOT ONE of the NEIGHBORS had offered to help clean it up???? Whaaa? WE are supposed to clean up the mess the SQUATTERS made? I laughed so hard. Not to mention that the spelling and grammar was so slaughtered it was painful. They called Bad Gal an 'ex-conduct'. Ha. Also said she was a forger, liar, etc. which we already knew.

Now the best part. I fully believe now that Bad Gal, who started all this looting and squatting and forging documents, fully intended to gain possession of the house. The squatters wrote that they were 'fooled' by her into thinking SHE owned the house and she had paperwork to prove it. My fault I guess for telling them (at my yard sale) that the house was owned by the ESTATE and that I was in contact with and sending letters and pictures to the Executors. I think that scared them into realizing that Bad Gal was indeed lying to them. Not that THEY are squeeky clean themselves, but now it's very clear, that the band of thieves are turning on each other big time. I still can't get a straight answer from Bad Gal when I ask her HOW they managed to kick her out. Mystery there. She's hiding something.

AND the ex-boyfriend who isn't the sharpest tack in the pack, came up with the same conclusion! He knows something. He and I together figured out that Bad Gal is STILL in touch with one of the Squatters and they, together are playing a game with everyone. I think the plan which was and still is, involves getting everyone else OUT and the original 2 friends IN. The one she seems to be feeding info to is the one in the video who never looked up when everyone else was screaming into the camera. Makes me really wonder. AND the friend, seemed to know a LOT about things I had said to Bad Gal and seemed to be accusing me of engineering the 'harassment' of the perfectly honest and upstanding 'family' living there and trying so hard to get their lives together. Oh what a hoot! One of them actually said, in response to someone in the neighborhood's comment about squatters, low-life, etc. that SHE (the squatter) has a home, actually MANY homes. Geez. What next. So of course the confrontation continued with 'so if you have so many homes, why are you living in a dead man's house?'

Oh this is way too much fun. I'm going to try to include the 'link' to the original TV 10 news story and then you have to read all the 'replies'. It's confusing since the page 'condenses' the comments, but if you look at each one from the top down, just click 'more' at the end of a segment, and then 'replies' under each one. You will laugh at the comments from the dumbest people alive. Some of it's true though. Criminals helping or hurting their criminal friends and then telling the world on Facebook, just what they have done. Amazing.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/JoeLittle10News...e=2&theater

Thank you! I've been checking every day for my Sorta's Neighborhood fix! I've been reading the FB page and it's a hoot!

Sorry Drac for causing you withdrawals. You have no idea how I carefully plotted my words for that retort to the 'accusations'. Wrong choice would have had the entire clan on the attack. Now I think, they are leaving me out of the equation except where I said I am in contact with the owner. That had them backing off just a little.

The others who got into a battle of words with the squatters are fun. I know one of them (she's the teen daughter of a neighbor and lives directly across from the action. Never knew she was so involved in the fun. The other gal, who says she's also a former addict and now is a drug counselor was the most verbal. I really wonder where she lives. Must be close enough to see the action, but the 'dialogue' stopped abruptly when the other squatter asked if she lived nearby. Hummmmmm. Maybe they took it to a 'private' conversation. I think I know who it is, but I'm not sure. More detective work to be done. If it's the one I think, she's a 'friend' of Bad Gal who walks by the house every day and can see what's happening.

Things have calmed down now, business as usual. I'm still amazed at how their 'view of the world' is so much different than the rest of us who don't commit crimes or feel that everyone should support them. Very hard to figure out why WE owe them? Maybe it's the long life and family history of drugs and arrests.

I'm sure that both sides (Bad Gal and the current crew) are telling SOME truths. Only job now is determining which side is the most correct. They all lie, have police records for burglary, forgery, using stolen credit cards, they all use/sell drugs, they all steal, and they all have taken control of a house that isn't theirs and what's more, they don't care. Just plain fun to watch.

I'll try not to wait so long for my updates. I was hoping that SOMETHING exciting would happen soon. Maybe today? Tonight? In an alternate universe????

for the update Sorta.

It was interesting to find out "Bad Gal's" plot. It makes perfect sense. Send in a bunch of her - ahem - associates and have them clean up the place; promise them some money; then pounce on getting the property for a song or less.

The grammer - or lack thereof - is so typical.

Sounds like a plan. Now let's all hope it backfires on her.

So they have started moving in MORE people. Always the same routine. A new car pulls up, it's met by one of the 'regulars', then the 'new' guy goes into the house, and comes back out in about 15 minutes, only to pick up his 'gear' (backpack, water bottle, jacket) and go into the house alone and never return. Ohhhhh, wait, could they be EATING these unsuspecting people?

In any case, no major movement, no more police (I keep hoping) and doesn't look like anyone is moving out. No one is yelling on social media now and I have a sneaking suspicion that Bad Gal, who said she was going to her son's wedding in NEW YORK, is still here. I could swear I saw her walking up the street. She could just be sneaking around keeping an eye on things. It's really creepy. I'll have to contact the ex-boyfriend and see if she had TWO sons of marrying age. One got married last year. Could there be another? I didn't remember TWO older sons.

Still no word from the Niece who is 'working diligently' on this mess. I now am not believing her at all. Can't take this long to file an eviction and have papers served. Even if you are in another state, it's soooooo easy by phone and fax. AND she says she has a lawyer for the eviction and the probate. Two lawyers, nothing getting done since November of 2013. Geez.

"They go into the house alone and never return?" Gee, sounds like the Hotel California: "you can check out any time you like but you can never leave." LOL

Yup, judith, I'm beginning to believe sinister things about that house. Guess I should start calling it The Hotel California. Great idea! (insert eerie music here...)

This may never end

Sorta, I've been following your story and so glad that I have. I just talked to a co-worker the other day who's having the same problem. Her father was just diagnosed with dementia. When they went to his house to get some things so that he could move in with his daughter, they found several squatters living there! The squatters managed to empty every bank account my co-worker's father had and were taking all his SSDI checks! Apparently, no mortgage payments have been made in several months and the home will be in foreclosure soon. His family has been trying to get the squatters out in order to sell the house. Not an easy task! In the mean time, the squatters just keep racking up more and more bills. It's illegal for the family to shut off the electricity on the squatters! How is that even possible? Anyway, I told my co-worker your story and some of the tactics that you and others have used to get your neighborhood squatters to leave. She's now thinking of contacting the local news media to see if there's an interest there. Maybe not, since there's no drugs involved, just a LOT of alcohol. Hope your situation is resolved soon and also for my co-worker!

"It's illegal for the family to shut off the electricity on the squatters!"

This is a law that needs to be changed. What a hopeless feeling.

Oh dear! So sorry for your situation, Sherlock. I KNOW how you feel. I'm not even the property owner or anything but I did know this man for 37 years and hate what's happening. I don't even like his family, who was estranged for over 50 years over some alleged stuff between brothers. What a mess.

As for getting anyone out of a squatted home, I went to all the internet places I could find for information. Here's what I found INCLUDING a number of pages of 'help' from our local police department as to what they can and can't (or won't) do to help.

In our case, the actual OWNER or a designee with all the paperwork in hand (must be official deeds and documents) must APPEAR at the house when the police call them for any actions against the squatters. No neighbors or anyone else will do.

The 'owner' must appear and produce evidence of ownership which the police 'may or may not' choose to honor. Huh? BUT, The police WILL accept any paperwork from the squatters even if they feel it's forged or made up.

ONLY a legal eviction will get the squatter's out of the house AND even with that it's several months of court back and forth if the squatters choose to fight it. AND it's not our local police that enforce the eviction, it's the Sheriff's department for some unknown reason.

You are right in the 'utilities' stuff. Bad Gal tried in vain to get the water off, electricity, cable, etc. She was told on the phone and in person on site that they CANNOT refuse services to anyone who asks. So HOW nice for the squatters who will never pay those bills, and WHY do they get preferential treatment in gaining control of the house?

Something is terribly wrong with our legal system when the Squatters have all the rights and the homeowners and their families have none.

I've cried so many times about things we neighbors have tried to do to keep these crooks and druggies out of there, but no body will help. AND I see now that even if you are LEGALLY in charge, it's not much better.

Praying for some relief for you guys, and for everyone who finds themselves at the mercy of criminals.


The strangest part is how THEY feel entitled! It's like they have done this their entire lives and think nothing of presenting themselves as upstanding citizens for all to see. In the past week, we have had more people move in. I counted 9 people who came out to see someone's NEWLY restored 1930's classic car. They all took turns posing in front of it. What a party! They are up all day from noon till 5 or 6 am the next day, then sleep till noon and start all over. Anger is too light a word for what all of us feel around here.

I still am waiting for the 'owner' Niece of the deceased man to COME in person and handle this mess. She's states away and must have her reasons for allowing US to suffer all the stuff that goes on. I have given up noting all but the most outrageous stuff now. BUT the good thing? One of them (the gal who was so skinny in the TV spot) was out there at 7 am pulling weeds! She's crazy. Gotta keep up the appearance of the house? All this after tearing down sheds, barricading the garage, cutting a haphazard door IN the garage door and leaving it sort of hanging there propped up. NOW they have a boat trailer which came in yesterday with a boat 'mold' on it. Then transferred the trailer to a second truck, took it away, came back without the mold, and then, oh yes, parked the trailer in the street, HANGING out 3 feet past the camper parked there (some other house too stupid to tell) and then putting some 'stuff' around the back of it so all traffic now is slowing down and dodging around it. UNSAFE, totally, but now we get to wonder if it will be there forever, or just temporarily, or if maybe they will get a boat too? After all, these guys have all the money in the world for THREE cable companies services and all the utilities, and food and laundry (all goes out) and several cars (which keep changing), reported by Bad Gal to be stolen and interchanged after a week or two.

It's PAYDAY around here. All the welfare checks are out so I think we will see lots of shopping for food. They go out in teams and bring stuff back. The house is NEVER empty. (If it was, anyone could change the LOCKS and then stand guard and not let them in again, THIS is legal). So sad for all of us who used to have a fairly quiet neighborhood. Now it's scary. We all are just waiting for gunshots, fights, screeching cars going into our fences, etc. Already have had so many police agencies there we lost track. They are always looking for someone but never seem to find them.

Life goes on. We wait. So Sherlock, I'm hoping YOU will have better luck with your problem. At least you can prove some legal connection to the house. It might help. If it were up to me, I'd hire some thugs to go in and scare the [blip] out of all of these people. But it's dangerous and someone might get hurt. Best we can hope for is that they fall asleep with a cigarette and burn the place down.

You might try throwing a smoke bomb in there and waiting till all of them run out, then get several of your family and friends to go inside and just not let them back in. Baseball bats might be the 'dress' of the day. Not suggesting anyone get hurt, but then sometimes, I dream.

Now I've got to find some CHOCOLATE! Full moon and things are happening that you would not believe. I might have to start a whole new story about just those things. Sigh...

to both of you. It just doesn't seem fair.

So it's still a full moon. Last night at 9pm-ish there were 4 police cars with lights blinking, in the center lane of our street, near the middle of the block. Cars had to go on either side of them. Was a fun scene. Bad Gal's/Squatter's house is at the corner, BUT no police approached that one. All lights mysteriously went OUT in the Squatter's house while the police were around. The usual for them.

So we watched to see what was going on and they seemed to be VERY interested in a small black sedan parked just West of the Squatter's driveway. Yup. THIS car comes and goes all the time. It always parks right there. They opened all doors and the trunk and looked all around with flashlights. Not sure, but they seemed to have the remote for it. Could be that they actually 'caught' the driver coming in or out of the Squatter's house and stopped him. Might have arrested him. Dunno.

Just seemed strange that they spent about 30 minutes going through that car. The car is still there this morning, so I guess they didn't find anything 'good'. It will be fun to see if the 'owner' walks out of the Squatter's house today as usual. I know who drives it now so I will be watching.

At least there was some action over there. I think the police really do know that things are not what they seem and are watching. I live for the day when they drag everyone out in handcuffs. Sigh.

OH and I got to chuckle at 11:30 pm last night. Was just going to sleep, turned on my security camera in the bedroom to check out the Squatter's house one more time and was happy to see 2 guys at the Fuse Box AGAIN. Seems that they can't figure out that a 1930's house wiring won't accept TWO airconditioners, and all the other stuff they are trying to run. Lights were still on in there, but I bet the breaker for the air conditioner went off...again. They seem to have a regular routine for this. Loads of fun. Actually my 'karma chant' was for a plumbing disaster or a small (not deadly) fire. At least I got the electricity thing. I'll have to chant more vigorously today!

I never thought my 'stake-out' would get so boring! For the past week, the dynamics have changed. I see the 3 'regular' girls rarely now. They come and go, but mostly just stay in the house. BUT there is now a major influx of males. They sometimes take the girls out or bring them back from somewhere, but usually they just arrive in several cars (3-4 parking all over) and are now concentrating on demolishing (or improving?) a boat trailer which they towed in 2 weeks ago.

They have removed the 'rails', removed one of the double wheels on each side, done something involving cutting metal all over and then nicely moved the 3 foot high, red metal barrel, which was put there to 'warn' drivers that the trailer is sticking out way into the driving lanes, to the BACK of the huge camper that belongs up the street.

So all day yesterday, my neighbor and I kept saying, "someone is going to run into that barrel and we will have a big accident over there". Well, we were wrong. Nobody ran into it, BUT the police (2 cars) arrived about 10 pm and spotlighted that barrel, then got out and walked all around the camper and that ratty boat trailer. Then they shined their flashlights into the windows of the house all around. I think they enjoy doing that just to hassle the occupants. Then again, maybe they were looking for 'signs of life'. The squatters always turn out all the lights when the police are around.

So after looking at everything for 10 minutes, the police moved the offending barrel to the curb and drove off. Today we will see what the squatters do with the trailer which belongs to them (probably stolen) and the camper which belongs to the guys a block away.

Hopefully, the police took the license plates of both and will be checking them for the owners and even more hopefully, TAG the stupid eyesores for towing. They are a hazard to traffic and worse yet, they are blocking my view of the squatter's driveway!

Wish there was more to report OH I forgot the 2 NEW dogs over there. That makes 3 now. Dunno if the new ones were just visiting or if they are 'regulars' now.

Wow this sort of stuff going on in your neighborhood Squatters in Canada here have very few rights. and especially with taken over a house and especially if its tied up in an estate boy are you in big trouble. Why do they encourage squatting for.

Hi Dianne! Well, this all started about 7 years ago when some nutty and sly lady, decided that foreclosed houses (owned by the bank and left empty) were hers for the taking. She found the houses (mostly in a new building area East of me, and re-titled them in HER name. Easy to do. Anyone can type up a Deed of Trust, have it Notarized, and file it with the City for a few bucks. The fact that she was NOT the owner, never would be discovered unless the bank (who could care less) went by the places and checked them out and then did a search at the County offices for a 'new' owner.

She happily did this for a few dozen homes, then put RENTERS into them. She picked those people who were really needing cheap housing (down on their luck) and they faithfully paid HER rent. So she was bringing in mega-bucks a month, the renters were happy and paying all the utilities and everyone was happy. UNTIL...a local news reporter got suspicious of his 'new neighbors' and started asking questions. it all 'hit the fan'.

The 'house thief' lady was caught, charged, had her trial, and is now in prison. BUT here's the answer to your question: since the Renters were considered 'innocent parties' (they had NO knowledge of the scam) the courts felt sorry for them and instead of kicking them out, decided they could STAY in the houses (still bank owned) and would be taking care of empty properties and thus the bank would save money on upkeep AND collect rent besides. What a wonderful deal for the bank!

BUT by doing this, it caused a CHANGE in the Trespass and Squatter's laws. Now the police were told NOT to arrest any of the Squatters even if they didn't have any paperwork proving ownership or a rental agreement. Made sense at the time, BUT it became the law for all cases of Trespass and Squatting!

Now when we call the police, they just stop by and chat with the Squatters and if the 'owner' can't be there bodily in person, WITH the actual DEED to the property and proof that they didn't rent to anyone, the Squatters are allowed to stay and do anything they want, INCLUDING, emptying the house (the one I live near) and selling off EVERYTHING the poor old guy had so they can support their drug habits. Makes me soooooo mad! WE even managed to get the 'owner' (the guy's niece who is handling the estate' on the phone while I was standing there, and it was annoying since the police REFUSED to talk to her, until a 'higher' ranking officer came over and he talked to the niece. SHE demanded they arrest those people and get them out of the house, and HE quoted the existing law, "It's a civil matter, you will have to get a lawyer and legally evict them". Same thing they told me numberous times, but I figured if it was the legal owner (or executor of the estate) surely they would do what she was asking. Not gonna happen. So frustrating for all of us living right next door who have to watch these low-life thieves happily coming and going, selling the guy's stuff ON Craigslist and other public sites and making money off the dead. They live rent free, all are on some sort of public assistance programs, and they seem to do rather well for themselves, especially when the first of the month comes around. Lots of shopping.

The cars they drive, lots of them and are always changing every few weeks, are most likely stolen (per the gal who started all this stuff in the first place). They steal them, change the plates, drive them for a few weeks, then dump them and get others. I've checked, and taken pictures of many cars/trucks and sure enough, some of the plates I've recorded on one car, indeed turn up on another vehicle in a few weeks and the first car never is seen again. They all 'share' the vehicles so you never know who is driving what.

They park up the street, across, in front of everyone's homes, but rarely in front of the actual house except for a few minutes. Makes sense. Don't want to be caught with a stolen car in your driveway. But then again, our police aren't looking for stolen cars anyway. They are so inefficient, it's scary. They only arrest when it's a shooting, stabbing, or some other BIG crime. Domestic violence (even when parties are visibly injured) is just a 'warning'. No arrest made, which is unfortunate because 2 weeks ago, the gal who got beat up by the boyfriend (and my neighbor knows the gal's mom) was stabbed to death by the boyfriend! This is AFTER many police responses to that address for the same type of thing and no arrests were made. So sad!

I'm not sure that it's the guys on patrol that are the problem, more likely it's the 'upper management' who tell them what they can and can't do. I've gotten little 'hints' from some of the guys who told me that I should be talking to the 'big guys' if I want things done. Almost a plea from some of them. Sad sad sad. Especially for the poor gal who is now dead. Oh and yes, they finally arrested the boyfriend.

Anyway, off the soap box for now. Still waiting for the 'owner' to get things handled and get those squatters out of our neighborhood. Unfortunately, it's a long, expensive process and no one will every be prosecuted for anything they have done. They will just move on to another empty house and continue the process.

I've been in contact with the 'owner' Niece of the deceased man, and for awhile she was telling me about her two lawyers and that they would be serving eviction papers 'soon'. But that never happened. This was over 2 months ago and we have yet to see anything 'good' happening with the Squatters. I have stopped contacting the Niece. I was telling her the events and sending pictures and documents she needed but since she isn't responding to my letters anymore, I've given up. Now we just wait and wait and wait. Lots of drama, free entertainment, my own reality show right across the street.

It seems like if the niece does not push this that it is never going to end.

You win the prize Space! We finally figured out the police were right (much as I hate to admit it) that the niece is NOT trying to help at all since she knows it's a civil matter and she is delaying for some reason on doing all the 'legal' stuff. She told me almost 2 months ago (she called me) that she was filing the eviction papers and needed a full name of someone in the house to serve the to. I gave her what she needed and figured things would be quickly settled. NOTHING has happened since then. I even sent her a follow up 'report' with pictures and information and still no action.

I really think, just a gut feeling, that since there are 2 brothers and a sister who will inherit, and she is the daughter of the youngest brother, that she and her Dad are just stalling, waiting for the other brother and the sister to kick the bucket so her side of the family will inherit everything. That means her dad, who is about 85ish will get everything, and hence she will get everything shortly. The other brother is 91 and the sister 93. Guess how long (assuming a normal life span and no foul play) she will have to wait for them to go? Gah! Horrible thoughts, but her dad is the brother that our guy out here had the big blow up over 50 years ago, that resulted in them being estranged from that time until his death. Yup. Makes perfect sense that the brother who 'stole' a gun collection and sold it (while this one was out here in the Navy) would be the one to want to grab all the estate stuff. I really feel this is what's going on.

In the meantime, that Camper which was parked there in front of the house and is blocking our view got a ticket on Saturday night, and then a notice to MOVE yesterday morning and another 'check' to see, this morning. Only a few more days and we should see a tow truck taking it away. That should be fun. It's not the Squatter's Camper, it belongs to a guy a block up the street who parked it there, moved it a few times, but left it for a few months now and never came back. I'm sure he knows it's there, since he drives by every night in his truck and parks at the house up the street where he lives. Duh. Taking advantage of other's on-street parking. Lots of people around here do that. Unless someone complains, the vehicles rot there. AND even if you do complain, they have to be visibly junk, or have expired tags for the vehicle abatement team to tow them. What a life.

Off to watch some court shows. Maybe they will have some good Squatter's cases!

Sorta. What a mess.

wow that's incrediable These people really have a lot of nerve I seen that news video on that old GAL wonder where she got all those keys? Dianne

Ahhhh, Diane! Bad Gal has the keys because SHE broke into the house in January and changed all the locks herself. Yup, she moved in with a 'fake' paper from a 'lawyer' who is a friend. It says she is the 'one and true resident of the house' etc. It also says that the old guy asked her to live there and box up his possessions, etc. HE never did. She was brought in by her 'then' boyfriend who just didn't get the word that she was 'playing' him. She was looting that house since the old guy took ill 2 years before. Creepy gal. You really want to believe her, but she's a total liar and con artist and steals from anyone she can get access to. She used to work as a home health aid until they caught her stealing the patient's drugs and she was fired and lost her license. Since then, she breaks into houses, or gains access through friends and steals what she can. The people in that video are all her friends. Somehow they turned on her, probably because she was taking a bigger share of the 'profits'. It's happened before. She moved into the same house a year ago and lived there for a month before my constant calls to the police got her out. That time she had no 'paperwork'. But in the process she moved in 2 friends, and charged them RENT and then got into an actual physical fight with them and they were forced to leave and their 'possessions' were still in the house. Now, possessions of all these low-life people consist of what can be carried in a back pack and a trash bag. Seen it so many times it's silly. They have nothing, they move from place to place, wherever they can get a free ride.

But this time, in January, Bad Gal managed to get very brave with that fake document and just cut off all the locks, replaced them and made herself at home. She was actually still selling off stuff that was in the house. Then the big 'fight' with the others and she was on the outs. She never moved into the house this time. She just had the other people there. She intended to OWN the house by hook or by crook. She told me her plans in bits and pieces (drugs make her chatty), and when I informed her and the 'new' boyfriend that it takes FIVE years of squatting and all sorts of stuff like paying the taxes for all those years to even start the 'takeover' of an abandoned house, she gave up.

HOWEVER, yesterday afternoon: NEWS FLASH! She drove up (haven't seen her for weeks), and she got out of her car with another little female, and they went to the front door of the house, unlocked it and looked in. Then she went around to the back (the usual door to enter and where the video showed her) and did the same. She was JOINED by 2 males and I assume since the didn't come in her car, they had been watching the house and called her when they thought it was empty for a few minutes.

Not sure what happened, but all of them (4) got into her car and drove off. THEN a car that is always there drove into the driveway. A minute later...Bad Gal reappeared, parked out front, started to get out of her car and then noticed the 'residents' car and got right back in and drove off never to be seen again.

My thought is that she was going to change the locks while they were out and then they could not get back in. Probably wouldn't work anyway since they would just take a crowbar to all the doors and be in again. Not sure of the plan because she didn't call me this time to tell me what was going on. I think she doesn't trust me anymore. Good. I really don't want to be involved.

Nothing strange all night, and no more sightings of Bad Gal. Her best bet would be to file a formal eviction and get them out. Probably only cost about 400 bucks and her problem would be solved. Not sure what she has planned next. This could be exciting. My neighbor lady and I are alert for gunshots and plan to run to the back of our houses and lie on the floor. Might sound funny, but it's a real possibility at this point. Bad Gal's brother is a Hell's Angel, just out of prison and she keeps mentioning he might come by with some of his friends. Oh well. More excitement.

I'm still hoping that the place burns down or explodes since I'm pretty sure (as are a lot of the neighbors) that they are 'cooking' drugs over there. Maybe a marijuana grow too since they seem to have barricaded the garage and seem to have lights on all the time in some rooms. Time will tell. Just wish things would hurry up. Tired of watching and waiting.

What a cluster.

Space Quest, I've thought the same thing SO many times!

Well, it may not be earth shattering news, but the Camper that was parked in front of the house for over 2 months now AND the crappy boat trailer that was there for 2 weeks are GONE!

A week ago, those two police cars stopped at 10:30 at night and put a ticket on the Camper. There were 2 of them so I'm assuming one was for the crappy trailer. How are cops to know that either belong to the Squatter's or neither? So we wait and then last Monday, the Senior Patrol (which I am considering joining...maybe) came and tagged the Camper (move or be towed notice) and chalked the tires.

On Thursday, the Squatters noticed the paperwork on the Camper and loudly announced, "It's been TAGGED!", so we knew they knew. They probably also looked at the tickets and saw that one of them was for the crappy trailer. The only reason the cops stopped, etc., was because of that stupid 3 ft high dull red metal barrel that the guy put behind the Camper for 'protection' while he worked on taking parts off the crappy trailer, was STILL sticking way out in the driving lane. Very dangerous.

So late Friday night, the Trailer was towed away by the same guy who brought it in. They tried to take more parts off it to sell (yes, we figured it out, they were breaking it up to sell the steel) and now that was gone...horray! THEN yesterday afternoon (Saturday) a car backed up to the Camper, opened the trunk and two guys (who looked like they had been doing construction somewhere from the clothing and straw hats) attempted to BREAK INTO the Camper. Uhhuh! So my neighbors and I watched as they pounded and pushed on windows, yanked on doors, and finally got a coat hanger and tried to open the door. 1/2 hour later, victory. They got the door open and got in.

Then another 1/2 hour while they tried to start the Camper, but no luck. We were hoping they would hotwire it and be gone. No such luck. We all briefly considered calling the police to report a car theft and then reconsidered since they would arrive, the guys would say it was theirs and they lost keys and WE would be the ones who looked stupid.

So they left and 2 hours later, they returned with 2 cars 2 other people, and the woman who was a passenger, got out, reached into her purse and handed them THE KEYS! Darn, we thought it was more exciting than that. 10 seconds later, the gal got into the front car, the 2 men into the Camper, and the other guy into the back car and they all drove away. Hooray!

We are hoping they never return. They probably won't since that Camper had those two tickets (expired registration) and probably illegai parking of the trailer which wasn't theirs anyway. So we watch now. Maybe the Squatters will bring back the MotorHome?. So far it's good, except for an SUV that parked there all night and finally left after 5:30 am this morning. Dunno who that was.

At least for now, we can clearly see the driveway and who is coming and going. We are all enjoying 'the view'. Maybe they will put up a 10 foot fence? They are really security conscious since Bad Gal invaded. They have someone 'watching' all the time now. They have opened 2 windows and the curtains are frequently readjusted for good viewing. So silly. Cars drive up to the curb right there and call to someone inside the window. Nice. Now it's a drive-thru. AND they have a new way of signaling when they are coming to 'buy'. They stop the car and honk 3 times. Very fun. Same routine, different cars. Some have a different pattern of honking. I'll have to figure it out. No one just goes in. They all sit in the car until 'asked'. Must be a great life with all the 'cloak and dagger' routines. Just wish that one day, some of the 'buyers' will be the undercover police. Wishing hard.

Sorta,

Did the reporter that did the story ever follow up with you? Too bad an undercover cop can't make a buy and bust these people.

There are 'rumors' that I cannot confirm or deny that suggest that perhaps, there is an undercover person in the house. Little things heard and lots of 'new' people over there just might be the start of something happening. Can't tell, only rumors so far and observations. We sit, we watch, we wait.

That would probably be the only way anything will happen... let's hope there is someone undercover there.

The Law is fishing around for big daddy supplier I betcha. Oh if something that exciting would happen around here in Blue Branch Texas, 78947, maybe I'd get up befor 9:30 AM, however it might cut into my gaming -oh well too bad. Just be careful Sorta. You gotta be poster of the year.

Yeah how cool would it be if the bust goes down on Cops?

Feel free to visit me anytime Yankee. My door is always open and we can sit on the porch for a front row seat to all the fun.

I'm hoping that the rumors are true. Good source told me, but also warned me or rather reassured me that I was 'safe/protected'. Now just what does that TRANSLATE as? I really don't know anymore.

Today...ha. You would never believe it. Started out at 6 an with the 'main man' using a flashlight to look UNDER his car. I think eventually they got it going and took it for some new back tires. Not sure, but in the meantime, all day, guys in and out, in and out. Cars all over, honking for someone to come out or waiting to go in. AND then 2 guys came back from the liquor store with a huge bag of ice. THEN yeah, go figure, a nice girl and guy with a TINY BABY went in. Oh the humanity! I'm assuming it's one of the 'residents' hosting a party for the new addition to the clan. I just can't fathom a tiny innocent baby in that drug den of thieves and unsavory characters. I'm aghast!

Sorta,

I need my fix. Any action today?

Ha, ha... you're as bad as I am, Space Quest!

Your right. I check this post everyday.

Whatever would I do without my FAITHFUL supporters?

Yes, a little tidbit for today. Bad Gal called me again. She gave me more information about who was actually living in the house and who is there daily but not staying the nights. There seems to be 'something' happening over there that might lead to a 'raid'. My neighbor and I have seen several people going in, carrying car batteries. Now this would be normal IF they had several cars that needed new batteries, BUT they just now got ONE car. I had already looked up the 'ingredients' for making Meth and found that car batteries are definitely used. Hummmmm. She seemed to agree that the people are getting ready to 'cook'. Nice.

We are now all hoping that the cooking ends in a small, non-lethal explosion. That would solve all our problems since the house would be unlivable, the police and fire would come, Hazmat would lock it up tight and most likely, the whole place would be bulldozed. One can only hope!

I also mentioned about their car having some problems yesterday. She giggled, then caught herself. I said they were looking under the car near the back wheel, so it might have been a flat tire, or since the hood was open, maybe something to do with the brake lines/fluid. Bad Gal almost laughed again and said, 'might be'. She won't commit to anything but I suspect she has someone who might be sabotaging around there. It's one of the 'recommended' methods for getting rid of squatters. Maybe she 'read the book'?

In any case, they are now parking the car at a weird angle, close to the house and the lights in the house were on at 5am or earlier, blazing away. Really not the normal for them. I suspect they are 'watching' the car now and hoping to catch whoever might have vandalized it. I wonder why they didn't call the cops?

Thanks for the update Sorta.

Yup, got my fix for the day too!

Just so you won't get 'withdrawals', yesterday was a very very slow day over there. Hardly any cars and only saw 2 guys walking around. The 'head' guy was playing ball with his English Bulldog (the cutest thing you ever saw) and they were in the driveway near the 'guarded' car. BUT then after dark, 2 trucks arrived. I've only seen them for the last 2 nights. They come around 9 or 10pm and stay until about 3-4 am. Hardly any lights over there until 3ish and then they are lit up like a Christmas tree. Very strange. By morning, everything is dark and calm, nobody up, nothing happening until lunchtime probably.

There was one fun incident around dark. The guy playing ball with his dog (now 3 dogs for some reason), was standing at the fence of the driveway entrance with another guy outside the fence. Just before I saw them, I had heard loud, arguing, male voices somewhere in the area. I looked all over each time the voices were loud enough to hear and finally settled on the two guys at the fence, who, nicely, rewarded me with one last phrase from the guy Outside, "If that's the way you want to play it..." and he stomped off, right up the side street.

I thought he was someone who lived there, but instead of getting into one of the many parked cars (they all seem to park their cars in front of the lady and her mother's houses which are next to each other right behind the squatter's house) BUT he walked up the driveway of the mothers! Ohhhhh, so then I recognized him. He is the Bother of the other member of my detective group and he lives in a granny flat behind the mom's house. So now I know what the argument was about.

The detective gal up that street is one of the good ones who I recruited. She keeps track of the happenings there and calls me. Lately, she and her hubby (especially the hubby) have been bitterly complaining about the cars from the Squatters, parking directly in front of their two houses and blocking driveways and making it difficult for the trash cans to be put out (today btw is trash day). When a registered sex offender parked TWO cars there last week, the gal, her hubby, and their 12 year old son all made the guy 'aware' that he was not to be parking there. The kid put a note on the car (not a bad one) asking him to park in front of his OWN residence (almost a block away). The Dad eventually confronted the guy and it ended with a shouting match with some VERY not nice comments which the offender did not deny. He moved his cars.

So now the brother of that group (getting confusing now huh?) is the one who went over to the Squatter guy last night and I'm assuming that the argument was about the CARS parked in front of their houses so they could not put out their trash cans. Most likely the reason. Fantastic. Love listening to a good shouting match when I know who is the correct one (even if I hate confrontations). Somebody's gotta do it or the problem will continue. None of us see any reason why the drug/squatter clan can't park in front of THEIR house. Makes no sense except that they don't want people to know where they are going I suppose. The drug buyers on my street (2 houses away on either side) do the same thing. They park in front of MY house to do the deals there or walk to the houses to purchase necessities and come back, sometimes making 2 trips. Hate watching drug deals. I especially hate watching what happens when a certain gal doesn't have $$$$ for drugs and instead uses her 'attributes' to pay AND all in front of my house. Ugh!

So today, we watch for parking fun, and other little stuff that might happen to the happy Squatters. Can't wait and I'm still wondering why, oh why, don't they call the police to complain??????

Wow, Sorta, all that keeps the old brain cells goin' -you wantta hear the latest here. Here goes. Weather is outstanding, cool and dark with a lazy breeze. Cats fed and sleeping. Leaves are falling and I haven't heard my favorite birdie yet today and I'm worried about that. Will do dishes soon then play games. That's it

Yankee, I am sooooooo jealous! I long for a day of no excitement, no phone calls from Bad Gal telling me 'stuff' that I might have to later testify about in court. No crazy house across the street which might explode any minute or the anticipation of gunshots or stabbings. While it's a load of entertainment, it also puts me in a position of knowing things that I really don't want to. Wish she wouldn't 'confide' in me about things. I know way too much.

Calm, cool, lovely country living with the animals smiling and birds flying and chirping, lizards sunning themselves and nothing for miles and miles, except miles and miles. I can only dream.

That does sound awful good Yankee.

So today we had an 'incident'. Around 1pm, EIGHT people came rushing out the gate. Two went hurriedly up the street, 4 came across and jumped into a car on my side, and at least 2, maybe more got into what we are calling, the head guy's new car. All of them left FAST. The head guy's car had a dog that they put into it. We thought it might be his English Bulldog. There are 2 other new mutt types there so it must have been another dog. All the males were 'skinheads'. I had been informed that they now are renting the garage apartment. (a makeshift hovel)

We really thought that something terrible had happened. Maybe dead people, a fire, who knows. Well the 3 of us Detectives got in touch and the first thought was to call the police since this really looked serious and strange. What other house has a mass exodus like this? AND if you consider at least 8 leaving and none of them were people I recognized, how many more were still in the house.

We didn't call however, and 10 minutes later, the guy who walked off and stood on the next corner on his cell phone, came back and took the English Bulldog off on a leash. Thank goodness the dog was OK. Not kidnapped or hurt. Whew. BUT then the head guy came back in about 15 minutes, walking home WITH the dog. Oh well. Guess the phone call was to him?

BUT this gets better. After thinking that there was some terrible mass murder in progress or awful calamity about to happen, a few hours later. ALL of the cars returned, with some of the people, and they UNLOADED bags and bags and more bags and boxes of GROCERIES! It was a major shopping spree and everyone in the house helped carry in the goodies. Geez! All that drama and it was about SHOPPING.

We are now sure that they got their EBT cards today or stole someone's credit card and went for a major buy all over. At least they are stocked up for the next few weeks. Wonder if the head guy was lying when he said to the neighbor that they received a paper from a lawyer and they had to move in 2 weeks???

What a soap opera. What will tomorrow bring?

Oh, my goodness!

Today's fun starts early. A large yellow pick up truck (seen many times before) was here most of the night. Then it disappeared and came back. This is the truck that for the past several weeks has been bringing in loads of TRASH, which the Squatters sort and divide, and then put some of it back in the truck for 'sale' to recycling places.

Today, the truck was full of CLOTHING in various torn bags. We are speculating that this guy goes to those 'donation' bins and steals the donations and brings them for his friends. They took everything in and then he left with an empty truck.

Later, it was the usual cars driving up, dropping off people, picking up people or exchanging car drivers. Again, EVERY person who goes into that house has a water bottle with them. Weird, unless they fear the city water or something in the house will get them sick?

The neighbor had seen the Leader guy pushing a man in a wheelchair up the street about 7 am. He returned alone, walking, about 9:30am. WHERE was he and who was the guy in the wheelchair? Mystery of all mysteries.

Then around 10 am, we noticed the curtains in the side windows was being pulled back so they could spy on the outside world. They do that lately since the leader's car was vandalized. So we saw a 'local figure' transient lady go by on foot to the Apartments, and come back shortly, then she came back with her bicycle and probably a bottle of rum or vodka from the looks of the bag and we know she buys drugs from the gal in there who is always fighting with her significant other. Happened lots of times now. BUT the transient lady was in there about 15 minutes, when I decided to water the plants on my porch and lo and behold, a Gang dresses guy came walking up the sidewalk from ? and he CASUALLY walked directly into the Apartments. Never saw him before, but the way he was dressed is indicative of one of our local gangs. Easy to identify.

5 minutes later, he came back, casually, and walked directly into the Squatter's house. Distance between the two places is 2 houses and across the corner. Not far. So we figure the transient lady came to buy drugs, the gal in the Apartments had none, but probably made a phone call and the guy (gang dressed) was the 'delivery boy'. Add to this the window curtain, which was in various stages of pulled back and immediately CLOSED after the guy walked back and you can see what probably happened here. It's soooo nice to be surrounded by drug dealers/users. Arrraaaghhhh! Is there anyone around here NOT on drugs?

For the past week, since Bad Gal has been calling me again (so strange) there have been 'bikers' going around the area. They just cruise around the street and sometimes up or down the side street. Totally visible Harleys. Hummmmm. Wonder what that means? AND in between, we had a pack of dressed out bicyclists (all the gear and jerseys) riding up the street. One of them shouted, "That the house, right there!". Not sure what that meant. Might be a local guy who knows the Squatter house, or might be undercover cops, or who knows. Very strange. A large group (same style of dress) came by yesterday afternoon.

So may mysteries I can't keep track. We are still hoping some of this leads to the Squatters suddenly moving out either with or without police escort. Doesn't look like they are doing anything to indicate a move, but then, they travel light.

Do these "people" pay taxes or slither out of them. Whatever. You're surrounded by all this activity and -I- by twitty birds and twitty cats. On the bright sided. Someday they'll all be in jail and you'll be on the porch remeniscing and laughing.

This thing about bad girl -she's using you for something (?) Be very smart. But keep posting as you have the best posts on G'Boomers. Yeah!!!

To change the subject -How are your kits doing through all this and do you know if opossums eat watermelon. If they do, well, mine don't. I even left some good stuff on the melon and it's still there this AM.

Hi Yankee. Possums absent for a few months, not sure if they went to better digs or died off or got eaten? Don't want to think about it. Come cold weather, I think they will come back. They never would eat anything except the grapes, dry cat food, and apples (if I cut them small). Fussy possums.

As for the neighborhood stuff, yeah, you are right, Bad Gal definitely has an agenda of some sort. I think it's probably something to do with maybe getting some paperwork from the Niece about pressing charges. Dunno, but she's in the, "I never did anything to hurt the family or the man, and I only did good things. and tried to protect his property, etc." She's trying to blame everyone but herself for all this mess. I think she needs a 'friend' now who might take her side in court if necessary. I told her I would testify honestly about what I knew, not what I heard or assumed. She seemed to agree. She also says she has an undercover detective (she even knows his name) who is following her all over the place. I don't think they would spend the time and resources to do that for something stupid, so it's probably a form of 'protection' since the cops seem to know things about what's going on. Just maybe we are due for some sort of dangerous takeover or who knows.

Today, again, lots of action. Cars coming and going, a NEW barbeque arrived (nice shiny metal one), lots of people around I've never seen, and THEN just now, voices outside. Saw and heard 3 guys all dressed in black with bandanas and loads of tattoos and they met in the intersection (yup right in the middle). Two were coming from the house, one from the other direction. I heard the older/taller one, tell the 2 younger ones, to meet him 'over there' as he gestured towards somewhere up the block. Then that one went into the Apartments...came out with something in his hands which he was 'sorting' and he walked up the block, to be met by the two other guys, one of which made a stop at the Squatter's house. No doubt in my mind they had gone shopping for various drugs and were meeting up to 'use' them. Awful. Are we safe around here? Geez. Nothing to call cops about, everyone gone from the area, couldn't really identify anyone and who knows if they still would have the goodies?

AND last night around 8pm, a cop car stopped right in front of my house, had a guy on a bicycle right in front of MY house, had him get off the bike, had another car come, and they questioned him about where he got the bike (thrift store) and after 15 minutes, I heard them ask, "So come clean, where's the dope?". "We found your used syringe, and we know you have some stuff." Obviously they didn't find the 'stuff' because another 10 minutes of checking and questioning and they let him go.

I'm SURROUNDED by druggies and thieves and just plain bad people. I'd think about moving, but nowhere is safe anymore. It's the same story all over my area. Squatters, drugs, thefts of mail, stabbings, shootings, theft in broad daylight of a whole counter display of expensive watches and rings (estate stuff) from my local favorite jewelry store just a few blocks away. Daring daylight robbery of about 20 thousand worth of stuff. Awful. Not any different in the 'big city' either or in the 'good' neighborhoods. Every area is getting exposed to bad things happening. Gated communities included in all this. Crime is rampant. I guess I'll just watch it happen and hope for better laws. After all, they caught that bicyclist red handed with the 'illegal drug paraphenalia and just let him go. How sad is that?

Sorta this is tough to read. It is hard to believe that the police or a lawyer couldn't come up with something to get these people out of that house especially since their are multiple neighbors who are aware of the activities going on in this place. Very sad.

Hard to stomach for sure. When the good guys get no support from the people who are supposed to keep the neighborhoods safe, it's hard to know where to turn. It's not like your neighborhood residents aren't doing everything possible to turn things around.

This is why I live in the midwest out in the country.

Our laws have changed to favor the criminal. I think it's a matter of public perception and money. They could have arrested that bicycle guy for the drug charge, but decided to just let him go. Sends a great message to all druggies. If you are caught with a little something, they won't arrest you because it will cost too much to prosecute. Booking, feeding, public defender, courtroom scheduling, lawyer for the prosecution, perhaps a jury (everyone wants a jury), time and money, bottom line.

As for the squatters, they continue to 'nest'. Big beautiful barbeque thingy was in the back yard last night. Not sure if they had a 'party' but maybe today. The head guy has been chopping tumbleweeds in the back yard since last evening (after dark of course). He had someone else out there early today raking. Might be gearing up for a huge wing ding.

The yellow 'delivery' truck was there most of the night. Left for awhile this morning and is now backed into the driveway. They are either loading stuff or unloading. Never sure which. Maybe they are finally taking out the trash? The 'pile' has now grown to about 30 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 5 feet high and is crammed into a space between the side of the garage and the neighbor's fence. Then they put some sort of metal or wooden panels at each end to contain and hide it. I'm sure the neighbors can SMELL the lovely odors. NOTHING has been put out for trash collection since they all moved in. Months and months of gooey, maggot infested, now probably attracting rats.

I really want to call/write the Niece who is in charge of all of this estate/eviction stuff to clarify if SHE finally served papers on them to get the heck out. Since she didn't respond to my last 'update' which included the entertaining TV news spot, I just got the impression she didn't want to be bothered. Last thing I need is some sort of 'harassment' lawsuit from that side of the fence. No matter what the 'innocent' do, they will be the ones to suffer if anyone wants to sue. I'm staying out of it and just hoping and praying that the head guy wasn't lying when he said they had to be out in two weeks. Ya never know, this could all be over soon. Ahhh but don't fret, when that happens, you can be assured that tne NEW people will provide hours and hours of entertainment which I will happily torment all of you with. Yup, not gonna disappoint my faithful readers.

it really is sad how things are always slanted to the bad guys and there is always an excuse for bad behavior.

Wow, it's been way too long since I reported on all the fun.

It's been non-stop cars in and out for a week. Monday seems to be the 'blue light special' day. More cars all day than any other coming and 'shopping'. The one we have been told is the 'cooker' of the meth (he does all the mixing etc. after the ingredients are there) showed up after about a month. That started a major buying frenzy since we think he also travels somewhere and brings back heroin and other nice drugs.

There are so many NEW cars and people now I can't keep track. Each morning (yes, they are now daring to come out in the morning) several people walk or bike up the street from the house. They usually have heavy backpacks so they must just stay the night and then go elsewhere during the day.

There are 2-3 or more new girls who all dress alike (black tops and pants and hair in a bun in back). They all seem to be doing 'stuff' around the house and dealing with the shoppers. 2 days ago, a tow truck appeared at 10:30 at night and towed the head guy's car away. They had only had it for about 2 weeks and that's the one that got 'vandalized' we think. So now that one is gone and another newer, shiny, better one is parked in its place. We are speculating that the old car was probably sold to a junkyard for 2-500 bucks. Any way to make money. They even sold the aluminum house awnings a few days back. I never noticed they were gone until the ex-boyfriend told me. Geez.

We are positive they have now gathered all the ingredients for making meth. The last thing we saw go in was a huge propane tank which a guy (who is big and muscled) was having a hard time carrying. Before that, some 18" square metal plates went in. Six loads of them about 4 at a time and VERY heavy. Don't have any idea what they are used for. Lots of other stuff going in like several car batteries. I looked up the 'making of meth' and found most of the things they are taking in are used. Wish I could find something about those shiny metal plates. They are exactly the size of a pizza box, but incredibly heavy.

We are trying to get an accurate 'count' of how many people are living there. Impossible. Today, we counted 11 in about 15 minutes actually in the yard coming out of the house or garage. Must be more we can't see. This doesn't include those that drive up for 'service' and they go away.

They are now 'spying' on the neighborhood. They pull back a curtain to look out. Usually it's when they are expecting someone to arrive. There is a guy on a very expensive 'scooter' who comes around all the time looking for one of the gals. He rarely goes inside, but calls from the street at the open window. If she doesn't come out, he goes away.

We thought that they might have really gotten that 'notice to move' paper from the Niece, since the head guy told the next door neighbor he had to be out in 2 weeks. Well, that obviously was a lie, because his 'wife', yesterday, came home with a huge 5 drawer dresser and some bedding and other stuff and they took it in. If you are moving out, why bring in more stuff?

AND they started the trash service this week! They delivered 3 cans (trash, recycle, yard waste) so they are filling them now and will probably put them out Wednesday night for pickup. WHY now? They lived there for several months, building up a huge mound of trash and just now decided to pay for trash removal??? Really weird. The only explanation that makes sense is that they don't want ANYONE coming by to complain about the trash or to inspect or cite them for it. They don't want anyone coming in to look around so they won't see the meth lab.

We are all hoping and using every ounce of our energy to think evil thoughts and project them across the street so that the 'cooker' guy has an 'accident' while cooking the meth. It's a very dangerous process anyway and prone to explosions. We can only hope he makes a mistake. The neighbor closest, has seen a 'red glow' in the kitchen area for the past 2 nights. We wonder what that is.

OH and we figured out that our police (who actually are nice guys) only respond to 1. Fires, 2. stabbings, 3. shootings, 4. murders, 5. major traffic accidents, 6. retail burglaries or hold ups, 7. domestic violence IF there is injury. Anything else, they don't care, won't come, and definitely won't write a report. They have their priorities set. Sad... AND did you know that our little city, has the LOWEST crime rate of any city in San Diego County? Our Police Chief told us that at our first Citizen's Academy class. Oh sure, it's because nobody writes the reports so all this other stuff (like the drug house) isn't counted. It makes for some nice skewed statistics!

I have no words...

If the police won't help what about a city council person?

I'm getting closer to my goal of infiltrating the police department and meeting the 'higher ups' who might be able to actually help. It's a long struggle and probably won't be successful but I'm not giving up. The 'other' drug house only a few blocks away took almost FOUR years to clear. That one was owner occupied, had stolen cars, gunshots, stabbings, drug raids, arrests for violence. At one time there were 73 police responses to that address in ONE month. Still, our local PD could only arrest for major things, and it wasn't until the ATF got involved that they cleared the house. The single incident that got that problem solved was the entire block banding together (a cul-de-sac) and ended with one of the house squatters threatening the LIFE of one of the residents. Took forever, was dangerous every day. The residents started picketing and putting huge banners on their fences alerting everyone to the criminals living there. I see ours headed the same route.

Last night and today, tons of cars coming and going from 7am on. Sometimes it seems that everyone leaves (goes to eat probably) and others, there are so many going in and out and buying drugs at the CURB no less (curbside delivery service) that we lose count. Today ANOTHER new guy moved in. OH and last night, ANOTHER car got towed. It might be the same one that they had towed the night before and reclaimed? In any case, off it went. Never ending entertainment.

It's trash put out day so we assume they will put out the 3 cans for collection tomorrow. Should be interesting. They might also try to put out a load of huge plastic bagged stuff. Our service will NOT pick up trash that isn't in cans. I can hardly wait to see what happens with the trash situation. We think they finally started trash service because they are cooking the meth now and can't afford to have any 'city' inspections for garbage, etc. Makes sense.

OH and I think I finally figured out what the 18" square HEAVY metal plates are. Found a site about meth ingredients and one listed was 'sodium metal'. So I looked it up on ebay and found something similar for sale. Smaller in size but the same silver-white look. Gads.Hoping for an explosion. Does that make me evil?

At this point a small cleansing fire or explosion might be the only resolution!

I'm not sure what to say anymore. This is all so sad.

We need a miracle. In the past few days, they have had an 8 year old boy staying the night (started last weekend) and then that mother (and I mean it in the lowest sense of the word) took her BABY in and stayed for about 3-4 hours. I can only imagine the poor little kid being exposed to massive amounts of marijuana smoke and then being put in its little car seat by a mom who is now probably high on meth or on heroin! I am shuddering to think of how many people are out driving in our streets under the influence of not just alcohol, but drugs too. Lately we have had more than a few cars going into houses, businesses, hit and runs where the victims died, hit and runs where there is massive property damage and head on collisions on freeways where the 'impaired' driver crossed over the line OR over the entire median strip (one was 60 feet across) and kill the occupants of the other vehicle who were doing nothing wrong. It's almost a 'given' now when we hear the TV report that they will end it with, "The suspect was found to be under the influence'. Yup. So easy.

I wish there was an easy answer, but all I come up with would just get me in trouble and they would end up laughing. From what my neighbors and I have seen going in (supplies) and the caliber of people taking them in, we can say with complete certainty that they are indeed cooking meth. We actually thought of calling the cops today about noon when 5 cars were there, all the same time, and hoards of people went in carrying 'stuff'. They also had the 'head guy' and another of his crew, bringing drugs to the curb and getting paid there, without anyone ever getting out of the vehicles. At least 4 times that happened in 1/2 hour. So if we called the police what would happen? WE would be asked to PROVE the drug stuff and WE would not be able to swear to any of it. We all decided not to call the police.

I'm sending all my negative energy over there, invoking the spirit of the old dead guy and any other spirits I can gather to make something serious happen to get the attention of the people who can do something about all this stupidity. Can't hurt to try. No chanting needed, just begging the old guy to come back from wherever he is and haunt the place. I'll let you know if it works.

Good luck Sorta. Maybe it is time to call the reporter again???

Things do seem to have escalated... I wonder if he would still be interested since it has progressed far beyond just the squatting issue.

Yes yes yes, the dynamics have totally changed from squatting/stealing all the old guy's stuff, to DRUG production and stealing from the community to support their endeavors/lifestyle. They sell stolen cars, jewelry stolen from who knows where, the drugs of course for a profit, and anything else they can get. So now that Bad Gal is pretty much out of the picture, she enabled these drug producers and sellers to take over our neighborhood. Everyday, there are more and more 'buyers' who are not getting 'curb-side' delivery of the goods. So obvious to anyone watching. They probably don't want anyone coming into the house now that they are 'cooking' the meth. Pausing to chant 'explode, explode, explode'. Ok now I can go on.

Aha! I may have an answer to some of this. TV station isn't an option at this point (too dangerous) and here is why:

Attended my second Citizen's Police Academy on Wednesday. The guy who presented was the GANG unit head for our city. He was awesome. We learned so much about gangs and identifying them and what they do, and the associations with other gangs etc.

So he asked questions and one was, "How do you identify a gang member?" Lots of answers from the group but he kept saying, 'OK, but..." so I spoke up and said, "By the way they dress". He walked right over to me and asked me what about the way they dress? My answer was, "Well, the ones in my neighborhood wear (can't put it hear because of identity stuff) and the entire class laughed and some of them gasped LOUDLY. I was only telling the truth about the Squatters. The speaker said I was totally right and then identified the gang that dressed like that, as well as 4 others in my area.

NOW I know who is at the house. We have THREE distinct gangs, maybe 4 all cooperating with each other and living in the same house. NOT supposed to be that way since gangs are AGAINST each other (fights, killings, etc). So after class I asked the instructor WHY would these 3 that I can clearly identify by dress and hair, etc. would be living together at the same place? He gave me the perfect answer, "Because it's a cooperative effort for some result that is advantageous for all of them." He agreed it is rare, but it happens. So I told him about the DRUG stuff and mentioned those metal, pizza box size plates. He said they are the 'heating' plates for the meth. Ohhhhhhh. Now I know. Then he gave me the name of the head guy for DRUG enforcement and told me to call him. I will, but not right now. I want to wait till I finish this class and know all I need to know about the police.

AND I found out that we have 250ish employees in our Police Dept. This includes everyone from patrolmen to secretaries, and up to the highest levels. AND then we were asked how many of these were out in the field, on duty, patrolling at any given moment? I guessed 50. Wrong, so wrong. There are 12-15, yes I said 12-15 patrols out in the field for our city which is the second largest city in San Diego County (San Diego is first), we have a population of about 270,000. And those 15 guys/gals are the only ones protecting ALL of us? I'm more scared now that before. Wow! No wonder nobody wants to respond to our calls about squatters or petty thefts, etc. They are all doing other things which take priority. Geez! Appalling! We are horribly understaffed for the population and the huge area they have to cover. They are begging for applicants but the department pays less than all the others around so it's hard to get anyone.

So that's the good news and bad. We need more police, the ones we have are overworked and underfunded, and controlled by the upper management, and probably are just here waiting to transfer to a better paying job elsewhere. But the good stuff is knowing the GANG head guy now and the referral to the DRUG head guy (and he said to tell him he referred me..yes!). This is the reason I signed up for that training. It's working.

Hope to have some good news soon about DRUG enforcement and perhaps a raid on the place. Just need time. They did a 'sweep' yesterday and arrested 11 people they had been watching for a year related to drug sales. Soon they can do MY neighborhood.

Finally, really solid information. This class sounds like a gold mine for you!

The whole gang thing sounds dangerous Sorta. Be careful.

I don't understand why you wouldn't contact Drug Enforcement now as suggested? What advantage do you see in waiting?

I wondered the same thing Sorta. If you report it and the cops do nothing that is on them but it is possible you might save a life by reporting it.

I do worry about your safety though around these people. You're is a tough spot. What about sending an anonymous letter to the police?

Very good questions Sparkle and Space. I am definitely in a very precarious position. First is because of my LONG history of making calls to the police about the constant burglaries for the past 2 years. My 'credibility' is bad. Then we have my calls about the Squatters which ended with 'don't call us anymore' due to the 'civil' nature of the situation. Then there is Bad Gal who got me mixed into all the doings over there from the start. The Niece I think actually suspects ME of being involved with all the stealing. Getting that feeling from her. And then Bad Gal leaving the house suddenly BUT keeping in touch with ONE of the residents/squatters. I just confirmed that yesterday. I had suspected it for a long time. Something strange about her 'leaving' but willing to go back so easily for the TV reporter's report, AND parking in front of my house so that the house residents would suspect I was Bad Gal's friend or at least involved somehow. Then a few weeks back when Bad Gal called me to tell me that she couldn't TELL me anything, but that I was 'safe'. Uhhuh. Really a weird conversation. She made it sound like she had arranged for some bad guys to come and scare the squatters out. I always wondered why she continues to involve herself with that house when it's obvious she has no chance of owning it. THEN 2 days ago, her ex boyfriend came over. He does that about once a week or calls. His mom is dying and I am trying to prepare him for it and help him get things in order for the time when she's gone. He has done nothing. Everything in in her name (trailer, cars, bank accounts, insurances) and he has an emotional disability which is hard to work around. He is easily controlled but doesn't seem to see the big picture. NOW BAD GAL is in contact with him again after dropping him like a rock for the new guy. I find this VERY shady. She took him out for hamburgers so the ex tells me, AND she went to visit his mom and talked to the doctors about her condition. NOT GOOD for her to be advising her ex. Not my decision here, but she's obviously playing him again for some reason. He also says she told HIM he was 'safe' from all the stuff at the house. It's a real mess. Worse than I imagined.

So the reason I am waiting is all that stuff needs to be sorted out before I make a call that I will regret. Either Bad Gal has 'plans' and isn't telling me everything, or she might tip off the Gang people over there who are producing the Meth and then I will be in real danger. I can't trust Bad Gal at all right now. Police might make a little raid but it will bounce back on me for sure. I have to wait till I have more information and REAL assurances from the Narcotics Task Force that I won't get harmed in the process. The guys over there are not nice people. Two of them have already been arrested over there for suspicion of murder. I think you see what I mean now. We are not just drug users or annoying neighbors, now we are involved, living right across the street from presumed killers. They probably have done at least 2 murders in the past month (remains for the trials) but I'm not willing to put myself in harm's way right now.

They are quiet, except for the constant drug traffic with curb service now. I hate what's going on, but it's very dangerous at this point now that I know from the ex and some of what Bad Gal was hinting about. I planted some 'information' with the ex so he will tell Bad Gal and I will be able to use him to throw her off her game. OH and besides that, the NEW boyfriend (who is a really nice, responsible citizen) is definitely figuring out all about Bad Gal's past and illegal doings. THEY, according to the ex got into a punching match recently. Don't know what about, but I'll bring it up next time she calls. All was rosy and now this. I suspected he was pulling back from the 'house' and now I'm positive he no longer supports HER involvement. The fight might have been about the house and her continued association with one of the occupants.

This is all so annoying, and now dangerous to the point that I can only watch, document and hopefully in a few weeks, when I am more into the Police Citizens Academy class, I can start making some more contacts. The more law enforcement people I get to know (and vice versa) the better chance I have of getting something done.

It's sad, but other drug houses have taken 4 years to clear out. We keep hoping the meth lab will explode (not kidding) and that will solve the problem. For now, I just watch the people, the cars, and today, I'm screaming, because once again, they had that tiny kid there, walking around outside barefooted. He looks to be about 1 1/2 years old! How irresponsible! If I were a cop I'd do something, but for now, I'm just starting out at the bottom. Eventually, after this course and I get my 'badge' (yes a little miniature police badge) then I might sign up for the Senior Patrol. Real cops, old guys, who have uniforms, patrol cars, and all that stuff and have 'standing' in the police force. Crossing fingers.

In the meantime, think good thoughts for me and bad thoughts for Bad Gal and the Squatters and the Gang members and the Drug producers.

We are all in your corner Sorta. Stay safe.

It's really heartwarming to know that someone cares about my plight. I appreciate all your comments and well wishes.

This all started out as a nuisance with the house and then turned into something much more serious and dangerous. I sometimes read what I've written and think, "Is she kidding? Delusional? Making it all up for attention?" and then I look across the street and remember, it's all so real. Darn those people! Why come into my quiet neighborhood and make a mess out of it? Makes me mad, but then I'm not the only one. My neighbor, who is 85 (going on 15) is scared to death. We call each other each day to check up and I reassure her about what she's seeing and what I'm seeing. It's an alternative to the traditional 'coffee club'.

My best hope is that Citizen's Police Academy. It's really something. You have to apply, go through a background check and then be chosen to attend. Some people didn't make it. Last class, some didn't come back and some on the waiting list (who sat in on the first class) got to be real participants. At the end, we take a test on all we learned. 100 questions on police tactics, gangs, safety, guns, general stuff about our city and the police force, arrest laws, court system, etc. We do self-defense next week. That should be fun. I'll be sure to pick a partner who is smaller and weaker than I am. AND near the end we get to ride along in a simulated police chase. Oh boy! I've already decided (after touring the jail) that I never want to go there as a 'guest'. I think we are also going to tour the lab and the morgue. Ugh. Hope there are no bodies that week.

I think I said once before, that I'm not a newbie to law enforcement. My mom was a cop in the 50's and my first hubby was a sheriff's deputy. I attended classes with him and got certified in using handguns on the range. Awesome. And then we both became EMT's for 2 years just for fun. Fighting crime in in my blood I think.

After I graduate, at the ceremony held in the City Council Chambers, and get a certificate and my miniature police badge, I will proudly wear it and then I will have some clout when I call the dispatch. They will know ME and not just put me off as a bothersome caller. They have lists of US. When they call up my name, there is a list of ALL the calls I've ever made to the police and the results. Ugh.

Now my job today is to contact the neighbor up the street whose 13 year old boy likes to harass the squatters. He yells things as he goes by on his scooter or stops to talk to them over the fence, taunting them. Precocious kid. What they don't know and I do, is that the current occupants are DANGEROUS. I've got to warn the mom to tell her kid to stop all contact and taunting. It was innocent fun but now could spark some bad stuff.

Thanks again all you faithful readers. I really need some good karma and lots of psychic energy coming my way. Sometimes I just hide instead of looking over there. But then it catches up when the horn honks at the curb for a 'buy' or for someone to come out for a ride somewhere. Hate those people and their drug habits. Eventually they will cause their own demise. It's bound to happen. Yesterday there was a small dispute between one of the guys and a girl. It stopped before it got physical....darn darn darn!

Sorta, I think about you and your neighborhood every day. Simply cannot imagine living in a place where you are so helpless to do anything. Well, for now anyway... I agree that this Citizen's Police Academy might be your best bet. Funny how it came along at just the right time!

Exactly Draclvr. I wasn't going to apply, thought it was for 'young' people who wanted to be cops, and I guess a lot of the participants in my class are just that. One step up on the ladder before they apply for real. But for the rest of us, just plain old citizens who are fed up with all the 'stuff' happening and not being able to do anything about it or know the RIGHT way to approach the police to get the help they need.

AND just as I expected, after the 'ex' visited me 3 days back, last night Bad Gal finally contacted me again. She always does that. She hears things from her 'sources' (he being one of them) and then checks up with me to see what I know. After I planted some 'ideas' in his head, he of course went right to her and she started the phone conversation out with, "Well, did anyone move out over there?". She was referring to the head guy telling a neighbor that he got a paper from a lawyer and would be moving in 2 weeks. He was of course lying since he's still here. Then again, Bad Gal might have faked that letter (she's good at it) and thought maybe it would scare him into leaving. Obviously didn't work. She seemed puzzled.

She asked about 'activities' and I said it was the usual stuff going on, people in and out at all hours, lots of drug selling, buying etc., and of course the meth lab. She wasn't shocked. She knows everything that's happening of course. I told her very clearly that I was, 'staying out of it, not keeping track, just lying low'. She agreed, but did mention again that I was SAFE. I asked what she meant by safe and she said that she has an agreement with the original friend girl in there, that they are fine as long as they 'don't go beyond the boundaries of their fence line. Very interesting. She explained that THEY are safe from any thing happening to THEM as long as they don't cause any grief for the neighbors (me being one of them). Sounds like a plan for me.

She also mentioned the 'conservatorship' thingy that her ex told me about. I looked it up. It's the SAME thing as an executor of a will, only it's for estates without a will. The conservator is the person the COURT appoints to handle the estate, which could be (and in this case is) a relative of the deceased. So poor ex got it all mixed up thinking they could just 'take' the property since the Niece isn't doing anything with it. Stupid people. The Niece is stalling, maybe it's really a big mess on who gets what, but in any case, the court legally appointed her to be the 'executor/conservator' and she is listed as that in all legal documents on the internet (taxes, liens, deeds). I'm satisfied, obviously Bad Gal is not and is still trying to find a way to get possession of that house. She's like a small dog in a big pack with one tiny bone.

And to make it even more fun, she called right in the middle of one of my favorite TV series (Zoo) and I couldn't get her off the phone. I would have loved to press for more information because it was the PERFECT time. She was higher than a space shuttle. Talking with slurred speech, etc. Perfectly lucid but obviously not quite with it. When she's like that, she says stuff that she doesn't mean to say so I can ask a lot of things and get straight answers.

I didn't tell her about my Citizen's Police class, but did mention about the 'meth lab' over there and how the entire neighborhood hoped it would explode. She's the one who told me about it in the first place. That's when I started looking for and seeing what 'ingredients' they were taking in and who appeared only once in a while to do the 'cooking'. She identified all of that on our last phone call. She also has come up with a NEW idea. I think I planted that one too. She says she could 'tent the house for termites'. Sounds good to me, except, if those people won't leave, does she think that the Termite company will somehow manhandle them out? Ha. They will just refuse to answer the door. Still, it's not a horrible thought, could work. I told her great, go ahead. Let's see if that works.

Anyway, today it's hot and humid and fairly calm around here. I suspect they won't be doing too much 'business' today since they didn't yesterday either. Now I'm wondering if the 'competition' on the other side of me, will cut into their profits and if they will notice, and if there will be a 'war' between them. Could be a good thing, but the last time someone was selling drugs from the Apartments, he ended up dead on the freeway after some gang members moved in (literally or figuratively). Was a real shock. Gangs don't play well with others. Would hate to have something happen while my house is directly between the other 2 warring factions. Ugh.

Time will tell. Class tonight. Can hardly wait! Picking out a 'police-like' outfit to wear. I'm a t-shirt and blue jeans type and I can't be in 'public' looking like I'm doing yard work. Have to wear nice stuff. Still t-shirty (nice fancy ones) and jeans in a little nicer style is my choice. And of course I want to look good in the photos they are constantly taking. I want my 15 minutes of fame out of this. Got on a nice red, designer T (michael jackson would have loved it). It's got a gold shield in the middle, surrounded by gold flourishes. Looks sort of medieval, crusader like. Neat. I must remember not to pet any of the feral cats. These black pants attract everything!

Off to try to not keep track of the action over there or on the other side. Way too many people parking in front of my house and walking to the Apartments to get drugs lately. It's just started this week so it's going to get worse. I am going out today and putting up some 'video camera in use' or 'smile you are on camera' signs on my front fence so the cars parking there will maybe notice and park elsewhere. Might help.

Sorta I just have to say that there is no such thing as safe when you live near a Meth House. I especially worry that the people in the house may know that you are aware of meth being cooked in the house. I would by lying if I didn't say that I am worried for you.

It's my pleasure to let you guys worry about me. It saves me the trouble.

As for the House Guests knowing that I know what they are doing. Sure they do. It's obvious from Bad Gal's activities, phone calls, and her close association with those people (some of which she personally brought into that house), and teh 2 that came to my yard sale and the other guy who came over to check out my cameras and how much I could see/know about them, that they know that she and I have association with each other. Her 'best friend', who is in the house definitely knows and has been warned by Bad Gal not to do anything to hurt or bother me.

Bad Gal knows that I know way too much about the dealings over there, starting with HER being the first to start stealing everything and selling it. It will all fall back on her as the prime suspect in everything. Actually it's sort of like the USA's pacts with other countries. We know they have nukes, they know we have nukes, we all are friendly enemies and are not doing anything stupid. The squatter/druggies know me, know where I live, have all the info they need on me from Bad Gal and at this point. she's a better 'friend' than an enemy. I keep her at arm's length, but since she is guilty of many things, it's better to keep some relationship and have her 'intercede' with the people over there. Mostly I think she is 'protecting' me because I know too much about HER. I have loads of evidence that would be great in court should the powers that be, ever want to charge and prosecute her. I very clearly told her more than once, that if called to testify against anyone, including her and the ex (who is so innocent by mental deficiency) that I would not lie to a judge or police, etc. She knows I'm serious, so she's trying to keep things calm with me. Not a bad thing.

It's SO hot here today that the activities are not happening like usual over there. Only 2 cars today, both regulars, both girls, who are bringing in things from shopping. Kinda boring. We are at 96 degrees at 8 am today! We broke all sorts of records. I'm sooooo icky hot. Fans going, no air conditioning, and I'm looking forward to tonight's Academy class to get cool. This heat will last a few days and then back to our normal summer temp of 77.

In the meantime, thanks for the good thoughts for me and try to to worry too much. Things have settled down a bit, things are quiet, no explosions (yet), no police except for the two that followed the 'other' girl back to the Apartments. She's the newbie drug seller and I think they wanted to scare her. They are well acquainted with her and the boyfriend from all the domestic violence calls over there. She's selling so much lately that it's totally noticeable. Could be that the manager there turned her in. He really doesn't care much about his renters, but if drugs are being sold from that address, the owner could LOSE the property. City will confiscate it. Nice law huh? I'm always watching my tenants for things that affect me. I think in the past, that manager has kicked out other's who caused him and the neighbors some grief (slashed tires, burglaries to their rooms, threats). They disappeared soon after tenants started complaining.

I'm going to find a cool spot to collapse. Might hide under the cactus orchids like one of the Outdoorsie cats. She' so cozy tucked under the cool leaves. Nice.

That sound brutal with no AC. I have an internet friend who live in Palm Desert - her AC went out and for someone who is 91 years old, this was no laughing matter!

They always say around here too that the hotter it gets, the less crime there is because it's just too danged hot to do anything - good or bad!

Well the 'crime' across the street sure has slowed down. Love that part. Hate the humidity. Any other time, we get hot we are single digit humidity so it's comfy and nice. It's some tropical storm off of Baja Calif, coming up to meet us. If it rains, we will be feeling much better.

Drug buyers nary a one all night (just a few in and out who seem to live there) and the gal at the apartments who just started her own enterprise, well after those two police cars followed her home from the liquor store at the corner, nothing happened there either. I think they saw her or were tipped off and just made themselves visible so she would cool the action. I'll watch today and see if business picks up.

As for my Citizen's Police Academy. Ohhhhh! The things I am learning that they don't know they are revealing about our little force. Geez! Last night was the sex crimes division. Two nice guys, very very good and I trust them. They let it be known that we have loads of registered sex offenders (only 9 in our town?) but that they register yearly or monthly if they are transients. So that means that probably, the guys in the park, sleeping under their shopping carts, are maybe, some of them, offenders who have to go to the PD once a month to tell them where they 'live'. Of course they have NO address, but they have to appear anyway and say they live in the park, or under a bridge, etc. So crazy. AND sex offenders who live in another state are supposed to register within 14 days of moving here, ummmmm. How the heck will WE know if they drove over here? It's impossible to keep track of them, AND now with the new law in Calif (maybe elsewhere) the offenders have NO constraints as to where they can live. Used to be no living near a school, park, playground, etc. Now that law is kaput. One guy, lives right behind an elementary school with only a chain link fence separating him from the kiddies. He likes pornography of kids so you can imagine what the parents of those kids there are currently doing. Uhhuh. Screaming to the police about getting him gone, BUT they can't because of the change in the law. Don't ask me why the law was changed. So stupid.

AND from the Domestic Violence team. Very good people too, but we learned that their case load, per investigator, is between 20 (if they are lucky) and 60. How can they possibly investigate and protect and do all the things they need to for the victims when they can't even get through the paperwork? They said it's a matter of triage so the really bad cases get attention first. I wonder if that's why we had a guy stab his girlfriend to death (I know someone who knows the mom of the girl) in their apartment after SEVERAL calls to the police for 2 years, and the GUY never being arrested?????? Now the girl is dead and the guy is in jail charged with first degree murder. Too few police let this one slide? He refused to tell us where the 'death' case was, but I know from watching the TV and hearing my neighbor's report. Sad so sad. We are HORRIBLY understaffed here at the police department. THEY are begging for new officers to apply AND last night the one guy said MOST of our force now is NEW recruits who have no training in how to handle things (especially calming down people) because their 'life experiences' are lacking because they are so young, unmarried, etc. THAT explains a lot about how I was treated by a few of them. I see clearly now.

Things will get better as time goes by, but for now, the inmates seem to be running the asylum. Loving my classes!

for my daily drama update Sorta.

Anyone having withdrawals?

Well things are interesting. The 'cooker' guy has been here 3 times since Sunday night. He came last night at THREE AM! Geez! Lots of 'helpers' come and go. These are not buyers. They bring 'items' and stay a long time all day and night in shifts. Gonna be a good batch of meth soon.

AND I'm on pins and needles. Someone, don't know who, PAID the overdue property tax bill AND the bill for the supplemental taxes. Taxes have not been paid for a year and suddenly, they are cleared. I can't access this years tax bill until next week (in preparation) but I can hardly wait to see if there is something else new there.

I've been checking the 'sold' listings for that address and grantor/grantee index but nothing has changed. I'm hoping that the Estate paid the taxes in preparation for listing it for sale. In the meantime, the 'residents' continue to live there like a happy little family. They do all the normal stuff. Weeding, sweeping the sidewalk, hosing off the driveway (illegal since our drought rules) and washing their cars, etc. I'm so happy for them. NOT.

More info on the taxes bit when I can find it.

"Like sands through the hourglass... so are the Days of Our Lives."

All taxes have now definitely been PAID. I wonder who paid them? Could be the family, could be the squatter Bad Gal, could be the drug people? This is so strange. The first actual ANY evidence that something new is happening over there and no way to find out. Ugh. I will just watch and listen. Maybe someone will call with info.

Arrgh! The agony of waiting and wondering!

it sure would be interesting to know who paid the taxes on the property.

Yep, I'm going to be figuring a way to find out who paid, or if not, IF this property was sold. Probably not sold as I can't find any transfer stuff...yet. AND wonder of all wonders, Bad Gal usually calls me when something is up. She hunts for information from me. So she hasn't called yet (the tax notice just went up yesterday/today, BUT when I went out shopping a bit ago, my neighbor saw HER driving up our street and turning up the side street to look at the house. Maybe SHE thought the house was sold? She keeps asking if the people are out yet. How should I know? She won't tell me her 'plan'. Geez!

Well if the property sells that is public record and will be listed on the city Auditors web site.

And to make it even more fun...there is a new red BMW that has been hanging around. It parked right in front of my 'agent's' mother's house (up the side street) so she had a great view. Seems that it arrived about 6 am and stayed all day, with 3 girls and one guy interchanging positions and going in and out of the house. Some 'disagreements' were seen between two of the girls as they walked to the house. The guy never left the car and pretended to be having car trouble by lifting the hood. Ha. What a joke. He did nothing, but play the game all day. Up down up down. I guess he figured the neighbors would assume he was broken down.

Well it gets better. At first I saw only 2 girls and the guy going to the trunk. They were (as my friend saw) digging through a trunk full of clothing. After about an hour (before I saw the guy) a girl got out of the back seat, adjusting clothing and was followed by the guy! Three guesses as to what they were doing.

So hours later, one of the girls finally comes to the fence and hands something to the other girl (small/palmed) and then the girl goes back to the car (not the same as the first girl) and gets into the front seat on the LAP of the guy! Oh yes, they did! Neighbor narrated it all for me. Ugh! A lot of movement and taking off of clothing, etc. ON a street in full view of people walking by?? Yup. Guess she was 'paying' for the drugs that were just handed off.

Haven't seen them today yet. Things are slow over there, but doesn't look like anyone is moving out. Nope. I still am checking on the grantor/grantee rolls to see if that property changes owners. I called the realtor gal that was contacting the Niece from time to time and she has NOT returned my call. Hummmmmm?

Red BMW So much for low profile.

Sooner or later this house is going to explode.

I SO totally knew where this red BMW story was going!

So after the police and tow truck left...

Ha, bet you want to know what happened 1 hour before that right????

So I fall asleep in bed watching the 11 o'clock news. I wake up at midnight, look out the window (because I always do that anytime I wake up in the middle of the night) and see POLICE. At least 2 cars, but too many cops to be only 2 so I assume a few more were up the street. This is the side street where the Infamous house is located (one front on my street, the other on the adjoining).

I see the police looking INTO and around a small car parked at the stop sign, in the red zone. They really gave it a going-over. One of the cops spent lots of time in the trunk, in the car, opening all compartments, under everything. He was also sorting something he had on the closed trunk. This I later found out was a female's tote bag.

After all cars and the tow truck left (yes they towed the car), I saw a female sitting on the sidewalk. Hadn't seen her before since the car blocked my view. She stood up and started collecting several items from the sidewalk and in the GUTTER! Guess it was her tote bag the cop was sorting and things went everywhere.

The cop talking to her made NO effort to shine his flashlight on the sidewalk/gutter to help her collect her things, BUT did shine it on something he handed her and it looked like he was explaining something. Probably a summons, ticket, etc. I did hear one comment which was 'right here?'. From the police guy as he shined his flashlight across the side of the house twice.

Then the cars all left and she walked away. Guess where? Aha! You already knew. She walked around the corner directly into the HOUSE. As usual, during all this hour or so of fun, the 'guests' in the house turned off all the lights and hid like rats. Eventually when they figured it was all clear, they turned on some very dim lighting.

The next day....NOTHING happening, nary a car in or out, no people walking in or out. Dead city. Well one car arrived late in the day and seemed to have a 'lap-top' under his arm. Probably wanted some internet time. BUT he went to the back door as usual, and came right back to his girlfriend at the curb. THEY walked to the FRONT gate (which for some reason was now OPEN) and walked up to the open (spy window) and said something. Then they walked back to the normal driveway entrance and went in. I'm guessing they needed to be identified and cleared with the proper password, etc. before getting in. This is due to the previous nights FUN.

Today, is calm, but already 3 cars there, doing the normal stuff. Dropping off people, picking up people, going in and out. Guess the 'fear' of other arrests is gone for now.

Oh how I wish I could persuade my yard kid to loan me his 'new' car. It's a Ford Crown Victoria, with the spotlights left on (former police cruiser). I could paint or wrap the doors and roof with white stuff and park it in front of my house. THEY would be scared just in case it was a cop car. Ha. Oh how fun that would be.

I have no idea who got arrested, but they wouldn't tow a car for nothing. Maybe the driver was wanted. Lots of police at a strange hour. They might actually be watching the house. Oh joy!

Excitement in the middle of the night!

We will hope for the best Sorta.

This is so sad a commentary on our 'perfect society'. Yesterday, an 'older' lady got out of a car across the street. I just happened to be watching because there was a 'strange' car there all night and nobody knew who got out of that one. So this short, chubby, normal looking, woman of about 55ish got out (a young male was driving. She walked to the corner (just a house away) and motioned for the 'kid' to drive up, then she motioned him around and up the side street. Mind you, this is broad daylight, she is SO visible with her black pants, nice blouse, nicer colorful jacket and carrying a nice lady-type purse. She reminded me of a short, female version of Danny DeVito.

So the kid drives around the corner, and MOM who is rushing as fast as her little legs will go, crosses the street and goes (you know what's coming) right INTO the drug house. She stands at the gate first talking to someone, then they let her in. The kid stays in the car which is 1/2 block up the street. 15 minutes later, MOM comes rushing out of the house, so cute to see her little legs almost running. She is putting ON her JACKET! Mind you, this is not a winter coat thingy, this is just a light decorative, outfit matching thin jacket. It's sooooo obvious what just happened. SHE was in need of a 'fix'. She went in, they prepared the 'fix' and injected her (so says Bad Gal when I asked earlier in the drama) and then she rushes out to her car, where the (we think her son) drives her off.

Can you imagine WHERE she might be headed? To school as a teacher, or aide or librarian? Or to a nice store downtown as a clerk? Or worse yet, to some medical facility where she is a nurse or receptionist? Or maybe she is a home care person? I'm livid. This lovely looking lady (just like mom's all over) is a druggie, probably heroin addict and is getting her son to drive her to a drug house to get her 'medicine'!

Imagine all the other 'moms' or fathers or brothers/sisters who are doing the same thing? I know some of the people over there who are meth or heroin addicts list their occupations on their Facebook pages. Some are lifeguards, cooks in restaurants I know, home care specialists, sales people in department stores, workers in hotels, mom's with 5 kids, husbands who work in the Mexican Restaurant just a few blocks away. Gee! How many of those people are doing things that WE come in contact with? Worse yet, most of them DRIVE around here. It's no wonder why we have a huge accident rate in our town. Of course they aren't counted on any 'crime' rate statistics because WE have NO crime, right?

AND to top it all off for the day, the car I was watching, (which had been there all night) eventually got an 'owner'. It was a GORGEOUS (not kidding) gal from the HOUSE. She was dressed in all black with some beautiful designer logo on her shirt. She had a figure like a model and hair was awesome. She could have been walking the 'red carpet' the way she looked. Oh my! Beautiful and that's something coming from another female. Perfect figure and perfectly attired to show it off without being 'cheesy'. AND then she was joined by a sleezy looking male (gang dress, ball cap on backwards, all black, with a long t-shirt etc.) and the embraced. ICK! Actually was a very loving, movie-type embrace. I thought I'd just stepped into some Academy Award winning movie. Into the car they went, her driving her very new and sporty, something. Maybe one of those new Buicks. Shiny black with chrome around the windows. She was nothing like the scum that lives and frequents the HOUSE.

At least it kept me busy for the day. I wonder what will happen today? Already, I see that 2 cars had been parked there all night and ONE of them is the RED car that had the 'sex' scene playing out a few days ago. Ohhhhh. What will happen next? Stay tuned.

I have to admit that I believed the police would of done something about this by now. Hopefully they have eyes on this house.

Well it's finally happening. After my casual mention to the police detective at my Citizen's Police Academy class and after last Thursdays trek to 'Coffee with a cop" at the local McDonald's things are now in motion. I mentioned at the coffee event (where neighborhood people can sit and chat with cops) about the DRUG house across the street. Several of the guys (all upper ranks including the assistant police chief) were very interesting in the doings over at the house. One took down my name, address, phone, etc. and I mentioned the name of one who had been to my house before. WELL...yesterday morning, about 9am. I hear a 'hello' at my door. I was at the computer and looked up to see a HUGE policeman at my door. Eeeek! Turns out, happily he was the same guy I'd spoken to earlier this year, who took my video tapes and was very nice. He wanted to know if I had any more tapes or current stuff on the 'residents'.

I didn't even have my monitors on this time so hopefully he saw that I don't glue myself to them 24/7. I dragged out some recent 8x10's of some of the 'key' figures over there and he loved them. Then I showed him several pictures on my computer that I hadn't printed out. As each one came on screen, he kept saying, "Oh I know that truck, I know that guy, that one lives just up the street, so does that one, OH that one is a guy from Louisiana, etc." He KNOWS some of the key players and now knows that I'm not just some nut. They are known drug sellers, etc.
So he took the pics and asked if I could get a picture of the 'cooker' when he appears next. He's positive they are indeed producing drugs and selling drugs and would love to get the 'big' guy. He at least has the car and license number on this guy's car. OH and on some of the cars, he said, 'that's not the right license plate'! Wow, this guy knows his stuff.

So he also said that the 2 traffic stops in the past few days on the adjoining street were indeed a result of 'increased patrol' on the house! Hooray!!!!! They started right after the coffee thingy. Yes! I did it. At least we are starting something. He also said they are having NO luck contacting the Niece who is in charge. I told him neither am I for some reason when she had been so helpful previously.

He will check on the cars, licenses, people, and I assume we have undercover cars around now. He also knows BAD GAL. Yup, he's one of the guys who was in the house long ago when it was totally hoarded, has ARRESTED Bad Gal in the past and calls her, 'a piece of work'. Everyone knows her at the station, so he says. He knows the lies she tells and says that you really want to believe her. I made him watch the Channel 10 News story on the house and he was amused. At least he sees some of the key players in there and knows what he is looking for. He knew 2 of the residents besides Bad Gal. Nice! Mentioned one has a long police record. Yup. Good to know he knows and I am feeling pretty smart now.

I will watch, try to get a pic of the 'cooker' guy. I'm hoping that having a police car out front for an hour didn't give the squatters any ideas about what I was doing. I have a cover story all prepared. Transients in my driveway who are doing 'bad' things. It should work if I need it.

Now we sit and wait and watch. OH and the residents have a new system. They are being oh so careful after the arrests and only letting in people they know. Some are being turned away and not even let in the gate. Now the cars, who drive up for drugs, are honking, or at night, blinking their lights for 'service'. Really fun to watch.

More exciting tales when they happen. I'm hoping for a full-scale raid of the place.

Holy cow! Something might actually happen and you will have a front row seat!

Be careful Sorta. It sounds like they are actually going to clean up your neighborhood.

The best part of the 'visit' by the police was that it was the same Officer Dreamy that came here before. Sigh. About 6'5", and built large. I'm in love. He's also a nice guy, doesn't tell you you are nutty and listens to what you have to say. Scary though. Who isn't panicked when a huge cop appears at your front door without notice? I always feel like I've done something wrong.

Maybe two birds with one stone?

Strange happenings last night and today. Last night TONS of cars one after the other buying drugs. They must have gotten a new supply, or the 'cooker' came in a 'stealth' car. Never saw the usual big hi-rider with the skulls on the back.

Also last night, a car came from the side street after letting off a girl (who went into the house). The car parked right where I have a small tree so I could barely see and couldn't see the driver. The girl came across the street from the house, got into the passenger seat and proceeded to light up something on tinfoil with her cigarette lighter. I've seen that before. She then inhales the fumes. After a few minutes, 2 NORMAL looking people walked over from the side street (I think I've seen them before but never associated them with the 'house'). They came directly to the car, said hi hi hi, got in and the gal then shared her goodies with them, passing the lighter and foil stuff to the back seat and to the driver. After a bit, the young girl got out, said goodbye, and told them to be sure to call Kim for her number (just like a friendly meeting) and the car drove off WITH the older couple.

This was really strange, but at least I've seen the car and the other people who I thought were just neighbors.


THEN all night, car after car until about 3:30am. I guess that's their bedtime? THEN this morning, very dead over there. Nobody until a 'gardener' showed up at 9 am and did NOTHING for 2 full hours. He was older, thin, had lots of rakes and brooms and such in his truck and he spent all that time raking outside the fence. He had little bits of grass to put in a yard waste can, and a few pieces of paper. With the grass, he got a small bit and then took it all the way back to the gate. Then walked back around and did a bit more. He raked then swept, then managed to deliberately kicked grass back onto the sidewalk to give him more to do. He was just wasting time. We finally figured he was a 'look-out'. I think they are on to the police stuff OR the cooker was in there and they were guarding the place. Very obvious if you were watching. Geez. He finally packed up and left just as the 'head guy' living there, came walking back from the store. Interesting. Must have called in the watcher so the place wouldn't be empty.

I also saw a younger guy with a backpack jump over the fence, walk up the side street, and then came back from the other way still with the backpack in about 5 minutes. Just enough time to walk around the block to check for police cars. Yup. They know something is up. Wish something BIG would happen today.

Also have a crazy guy who might have just moved into the infamous Apartments next to me. He's got a horrible limp, uses a cane, and is continually dropping things. Then he leans over, picks up the item and carefully looks back at the 'house'. He seems to be watching it. How many times can you go 4 steps, stop, drop your sweater, pick it up, then 4 more steps, drop your hat, pick it up, then 4 more steps, drop your newspaper, pick it up and then continue to do this for 3 full blocks! Very creepy. I'd think he was an undercover cop except he went right into the Apartments and I don't think they would rent a room just to watch the house. Weird people, strange happenings.

Thanks for the update Sorta.

There has been a VERY strange development at the house! Ever since those 2 arrests and towed cars in the past few weeks AND my notifying several of the PD's finest of my problem, things have been different. The 'usual' crew seems to still be there, but I only see them late at night (coming in) and early in the morning (also coming in). The cars which used to be non-stop are now gone. There are 3 cars (one is a truck) which have been here all week INSIDE the fence. One car has 3-4 guys in it all the time, and sometimes a girl or so. The head guy who kicked out Bad Gal is there but goes out early with his 'wife' walking up the street. Others walk out early too, or walk in. Some get dropped off. Last night I counted 3 in a car, 4 on foot, and 2 drop offs. Too dark to tell who they were, but they were not the original squatters. So adding the 4 to that makes 13 people there last night about 11pm.

BUT right before that first car arrived and drove inside, a police cruiser slowly slowly drove by. He parked half a block away and walked back to the house with another maybe plain clothes guy. The were not hiding, but used flashlights to light up all sides of the house, especially the driveway several times. One walked INTO the yard and around the house for a few minutes. They didn't attempt to contact or knock on doors. Then they walked off and left. 10 minutes later, the first car arrived. I figure someone called them or maybe not.

BUT here's the strange stuff that led up to last night. Friday morning of last week the Water Company came and gave them a shut-off notice. I'm used to seeing this happen and talked to one of the guys awhile back about how they get the notices, how long etc. We figured they would never pay any services and I guess they let the water run run run and never paid the bill. The Water Company lets it go for 3 cycles (2 months each) and that is exactly the time till this notice. 3 overdue bills, 2 bills which are differently colored, and then the actual notice on the meter and on the door. This one got HANDED to a guy outside (the guard that now meets everyone).

So we wait the 3 business days for the actual cut-off of water and sure enough, Wednesday, the water guy was here and I think he shut it off, but nobody over there seemed to be acting any differently all day. Weird. THEN Thursday, the water guy was back and probably turned it back ON. We figured they would just change the 'name' on the billing and say they were new tenants. Probably worked. BUT then that night, NO lights in the back yard. There is always a light. THEN last night NO lights in the back yard AND NO LIGHTS in the house or garage at all!!!! None. All night. So it's possible the police saw no lights and checked the place out. There are ALWAYS lights 24/7.

Even so, several people must have spent the night with no lights and maybe no water, still don't know if it's on or off. I recorded all night and will have to go through 3, eight hour tapes until I know. Again, since they don't pay bills, the electric might have been also shut off. Hope so. Would be great.

So today, I need to walk up the street and see if the air conditioners are still in the windows. They had 2 of them, running all the time. If THEY are gone, someone (the originals) are probably moved out or are moving at night when nobody will see. There has been a huge truck there with tall 8x10 plywood panels standing up that is either bringing in or taking out lots of large items. Furniture is all over the driveway, more than they had at the 2 yard sales. Last Saturday and Sunday was sale number 2 and they had a lot of people. Maybe they were planning a move?

Lots of confusing, but I'll see what's up today. Might just be a small glitch in their payments and all will be back to normal soon. I'll call my other 'detective' up the street to see what she sees.

More info later today when I find out anything. This is getting exciting. I think it has helped to contact the REAL police who are actually interested in solving crimes. AND of course, it hasn't hurt one bit that I'm in that Citizen's Police Academy class. I have met tons of the big guys now. Even got to drive that patrol car...wheeeee.

Crossing fingers!

I'd say they are laying low and biding their time in the hope that the police will finally go away and leave them alone. Very interesting stuff and truly odd behavior - even for these crazies.

Yeah it sound slike somebody tipped the house off.

Yep, seems so that they were tipped off, but then again the police were making it very obvious they were watching by those 2 arrests and car towings. AND they continue to drive by slowly, etc. I also suspect we have more than one 'undercover' car around at all times.

Now the 'fat' gal living there has written a note on Facebook (how stupid can you be?) to the girl we rarely see these days, that she should come over and bring her 'things' and they can sell them (yard sale). Fat gal says, 'I want to sell my antiques'. Ummmm whose antiques would that be? The old guy's of course! Lots of large furniture stuff, desks, bookcases, big chairs. And Fat gal says, 'I almost have enough money now to get my house, and you can live with me THERE'. Indication that Fat gal is moving or at least has a goal of moving. So how can Fat gal manage to 'get' a house, when she can't even pay her cell phone bill? Inquiring minds wanna know.

Watched again last night while watching Dr. Who. Lots of car and foot traffic again late late. Some are still parking, backing up, moving forward, blinking lights, backing up, doing a U-turn, parking, backing up, etc. Very weird behavior, but then I remind myself they are all on DRUGS and it makes perfect sense.

Today, looks like maybe another yard sale, but it won't be early. They were up again till about 4 am on the computer/facebook. AND NO LIGHTS over there at all again last night, and NO air conditioner on. Big sign that the electric is OFF by design or stupidity. I wish I knew which. Could be them not paying, or the 'big guy and wife' moving out and turning it off, or hopefully, the police having it shut off at the request of the Niece. Probably won't find out for a long time, BUT now that I have some police contacts, I know I can find out what I need to know after it's all over (if I live that long).

Sorta,

How many people are living in the house now?

Well living vs. visiting often...Mornings and evenings I can count at least 10-15 permanent squatters. Some come and go, but most live there, sleep there. They might be gone all night and return to sleep all day, or go out to work and return at night. It's a mixed bag of schedules. There are still 3 dogs, the original 4 people (who kicked Bad Gal out). Might be one of them gone, but frequently visiting. She's the meth addict who keeps getting more and more into depression and down the rabbit hole of 'I wish he was here, or it would be better if I had a man' bit. She's the one whose boyfriend killed himself about 3 years ago and she never got over it.

So many people are there just for 15-30 minutes and then not for several days. I can count about 5 cars that appear daily and then are gone. The silly truck seems to go away all day and return at night but sometimes stays. It's hard to figure exactly what they are doing except for the drug dealing.

All in all though, they are soooooo quiet. If not for my knowledge and watching the cars come and go, you would think it was just any other house around here. Large 'families' are the norm. It's not unusual to have huge extended families all in small houses. Grandma down to great grand kids all living together is the local culture.

I'm still trying to find out what's up with the electric bit. Got me going nuts.

That is a lot of "residents" .

Another night without power over there. This is getting interesting. Doesn't stop the 'action'. All seems normal except that I'm not seeing the 'big' guys now. They are the ones who seemed to only be in the garage area (probably overseeing the meth making) and I haven't seen them for a few days.

There is a city trash can prominently displayed now in front of the yard (outside the fence) that clearly has gang graffiti on it. I think it's meant as a warning to others. No reason for a second recycling can to appear for one address and have lovely silver spray paint 4 feet high proclaiming their 'presence'. Nope. Staking out territory for sure.

Probably today, since it's Monday, they will pay the electric bill? Then again, if they got the water turned on so easily after non-payment, it should have been the same with the electric. I'm getting suspicious that the 'big guy' and his wife have moved out. Haven't seen them for 2 days. I will keep looking. If they moved out, they turned off the power since it was in their name and they didn't want the other lowly people to run up the bill? Naw...doesn't make sense. Why worry about ONE bill when there are others not being paid?

Mysteries abound.

You would think with all the drug money they could afford some electricity.

It's abundantly clear that "intelligence" is not in great supply over there. Devious, crafty... but no intelligence at all - probably too much of their own product being ingested.

It's quite a happy crowd. Some real 'low-life' types and some neatly dressed who could be anyone's parents in an upscale neighborhood. All either sneaking in under cover of darkness, or walking in during the day, which constantly looking behind them to be sure they aren't being followed. The worst of it all is they are HERE, right across the street, driving on my block and my neighborhood, all probably high on something. I wonder how many drivers are high on drugs out there? Must be a fair number. Scary.

I sent a letter to the Niece in charge today. I'm hoping for just one little response that will tell me what the heck she is doing. Maybe it's good news, but she isn't responding to anyone. I also sent some recent pictures of people and cars to the nice cop with a follow up of a tow truck which is probably the same company that towed away those 3 cars which were perfectly working nice looking cars. He thinks as I do, that there is something fishy about the towing. Maybe he will check the company out. Would be great if they actually found a drug ring operating through the tow truck company. Yup.

Thanks for the update Sorta.

I talked to Bad Gal today! I finally got her to call me and interrogated her about the 'new' dynamics of the house. She kept me on the phone for over an hour. Too much to tell, but I found out a few more things about who is in 'charge' and who does what. Pretty much, it's everyone trying to get money for drugs so they can be blotto all the time. I asked if she knew why the water and electricity are off. She really didn't know, but assumed that the bill wasn't paid, OR that the 'head guy' is deliberately leaving things off to make it uncomfortable for all these new people moving in and taking over. She isn't sure of anything.

She spent most of the time telling me how great she was and how awful all the rest of them are. Oh well. I figured that out already. I did get a few more names to look up on Facebook. Detective work to do Seems the gal that 'owns' her own caretaker business has a client (very old man in a wheelchair) who she leaves OUTSIDE while she goes through his house looking for goodies. I guess it's somewhere Bad Gal has been (she used to live next door to this caretaker girl for years) so she knows the house and drove by (it's next to her ex's house) and saw the guy outside. She says she went over and offered to bring him back inside, and he refused BECAUSE, he was waiting for the caretaker to come and LIGHT HIS CRACK PIPE! Not kidding this is from the horses mouth. Seems the girl got the old guy hooked on smoking crack and used it to get him to not complain. Geez!

Other than that, the electricity is still off, the WATER company came AGAIN this morning to do a reading on the meter. I think it might really be OFF since they do that 'after check' to be sure the residents haven't bypassed the lock. We shall see what happens.

Now I just wait for the Niece to see if she answers my letter. I sure hope so. I am tired of waiting for something to happen.

Such a nice group of people... upstanding citizens and all that. Sheesh.

What a mess.

No lights again last night. Dunno what is going on except someone had them turned off or didn't pay the bills. More and more I'm suspecting another 'coup' over there and thinking that the 'big guy' turned the electric off on purpose to prevent all the guys from using internet, TV etc. on his dime.

Haven't seen any major 'we gotta bring in tons of water' brigades. They did that in the beginning. Somehow they are surviving without it. I can only imagine what the bathrooms are like at this point with no water for a week. Bad Gal told me that these people don't care if they have utilities or water since all they do is drugs and then they don't notice anything else. Duh?

Loads of action yesterday and the day before. Cars in and out and sometimes 5 or 6 there at the same time. Something is UP. It's the same group that I recognize. Maybe they are digging for buried treasure and taking turns under the house? They still think the old guy buried money and jewelry somewhere on the property. Can't convince them otherwise and the 'rumor' gets bigger and bigger as it transfers to others. The police guy told me about a 'bunker' and tunnels. I laughed so hard and set him straight. What they are calling the 'bunker' is actually a cement (very nice) mechanic's pit in the garage for working under cars before the 'hydraulic lifts' were common. Now the police will know there is NO TREASURE! Geez!

The letter I wrote should reach the Niece by Friday at the latest and then I wait for some contact. Probably will be waiting forever.

I would think the Board of Health would get involved in a property without water housing that many people.

Yeah space, you would think so, but in our little town they don't seem to care. Several of us called them, even said they had 'minor' children there and guess what? They did nothing. Said they couldn't do anything at this time. Same old story.

BUT BUT BUT! Listen to this BREAKING NEWS! I am so giddy I can hardly type.

I got a call 1/2 hour ago from a Detective Vasquez of our local police department. He said that the other officers, to whom I had been giving information, had sent it all to him and they have been investigating THE HOUSE! I asked if he knew the house and he laughed and said he had been there several times AND made arrests there. He asked permission to sit out front of MY house and do some surveillance tomorrow night. I told him he can park in front, in back, come inside and watch the cameras, etc.

He said that they are 'almost' ready to 'make a move'. Oh yes he did!!! He said that he wished it could be this week, but probably would have to wait another week, just to get all the ducks in a row. They wanted to do something sooner, but with the new 'misdemeanor' law (can't arrest on minor things now) that they are constrained on what they can do. He did say they had made some arrests over there. A team of them have been working on this for a while and want to be sure that the DA will accept the case when they finally act. Wheeeee.

So now I wait. He said he would be sending me an email to confirm and then set up for tomorrow night's fun. After he called, I realized the phone number was coming up 'unknown' on my caller ID. So I called the number, no answer, then I got a call back. It was him. Whew! It's a personal cell and not a PD number. I laughed and said I had to call and verify because I never know when someone is going to come by and shoot up my house. He laughed. I just hope this isn't some carefully calculated scheme by the bad guys. Still, he knew things and sounded like a cop. Short, not too much info, didn't push me for any information, etc. I think he's the real deal.

Can't wait till tomorrow. Wow. I'll also verify with someone tonight if there is a Detective Vasquez who does narcotics stuff. They will tell me, I'm sure.

THINGS are moving along now. Wheeee! I love it when a plan comes together. Oh boy!

That is great news Sorta.

Holy cow! How exciting!

So I get home from my Citizen's Police Academy class at 9:30pm to find SIX police cars in front of my house. Yikes! Strangely enough this had NOTHING to do with the HOUSE. It turned out to be a domestic violence call. The cops all had their 'rifles' out and were searching the Apartments 2 doors down (where they also sell drugs). The gal who is selling drugs and her boyfriend are ALWAYS fighting. I guess either he or she called the cops and after probably an hour, with blinking lights, a police dog, my driveway blocked and traffic narrowed to one lane, they announced, "Subject not found". Duh. With 6 cars here (as we learned tonight) that was 1/3 of our entire patrols for this evening. Now they can all go back to their own areas. They showed us what areas have the most patrol cars each night and which have the least, depending on the CRIME in the area. We have 2 cars in my sector so that's not bad. They do 10 hour shifts on M-Th and 12 hour shifts on F-Sun. Wowee! Long hours but then of course they get days off. I guess it's working.

Oh and I asked tonight if there actually was a Detective Vasquez (the guy who called me today) and sure enough, there IS. Whew! So tomorrow night I might get to watch another police 'action'. Never a dull moment. AND the HOUSE? Not a car in sight. Ha. Of course they all split when the police showed up here. I bet they all come back when they 'think it's safe'. Probably tipped off everyone they know not to come around. This could really hurt business over there...bahahhahaa!

Good heavens you sure live an exciting life! Have you ever thought of becoming a PI?

Ha! Private eye? I already am one (unofficially). Saves all the office space costs and phone bills and gas for the running around. I have all I need right across the street and next door.

Sorta Drew

Now you need to go around saying, "It's locked!," just like Nancy Drew.

You guys are so funny! I can always count on a good laugh here even when things are messed up.

We appreciate the updates Sorta.

Me too, Sorta!

Indeed we do Chief Inspector Sorta!

So last night, when Det.Vasquez said he would be here, he wasn't. So I got totally paranoid and convinced myself that the entire thing was fake, cooked up by Bad Gal or someone still in the house. Yup. BUT I wrote an email to the original Officer Dreamy and got a nice email back saying it WAS Det. Vasquez and he had all the stuff I sent and was working on the case.

Then a minute later...I get an email from Vasquez. Wanna bet his 'boss' told him he better contact me immediately since I was freaking out? He apologized for not contacting on email like he said he would, and that they are 'working for some solution, sooner than later'.

Hopefully this will all go down sometime soon and I will be home to watch. OH and he also said he would call me, when he was going to be here. Dunno whether he meant undercover, or actually come inside to chat. Oh dear, not another police car in front and another policeman to have to explain all this to. Oh well, gotta do what I gotta do. I always get the feeling that they don't believe what I'm saying. Can't blame them, I don't think I would believe all I've seen either.

It really sounds like this all may have a happy ending Sorta.

This is actually getting "Sorta" exciting!

I like to think of this time as the calm before the storm. Things are so SLOW. Looks like maybe the Big Guy and his wife and English Bulldog have moved out. Can't be sure but I haven't seen them for 5 days. No sightings. Not walking up to the stores, not getting in or out of cars, no sign of the dog who was with them last when they all got into a small white car (never saw that one before or since) and had the dog on a very substantial harness and put a towel on the seat for him. It sure looked like they were going somewhere for a 'while'.

Only the little guys remain. The two short males who 'guard' the gate, 2 bigger guys who never come out front (they always jump the back fence) and they live in the garage. And then the Fat Gal, one of the originals who came in with Bad Gal. They are long-time friends and might still be. I'm not sure of anything at this point.

Then the 'delivery' cars. They are always the same few cars, picking up and delivering people and what looks like food to the house. I'm really hoping that they are abandoning it because of the increased police pressure. Then again, if the Narcotics Task Force guy is going to do anything over there, what will he find now? I bet nothing remains of the meth lab stuff. They probably have been taking it away in small bits over the past 2 weeks.

I just want an empty house. My friend/detective who lives up that side street and I were laughing like crazy when she suggested going down to the abandoned store around the corner (which is being razed) and bribing the guys to bring their bulldozers over here and 'accidently' run into the house. Tsk tsk. We have had at least ONE each day of cars into houses around the area. Seems to be an epidemic. It might just work.

No response from the Niece to my last letter which should have reached her by now. I expected a phone call. Maybe she will send a letter. I just don't know what's up with that family. Probably the usual stuff of disfunction.

So off I go to watch the house for new people or cars, and wait for a phone call OR a police raid. I wish Officer Dreamy would come back. He's really a good looking guy. Could be a 'poster child' for the PD. Looks a little like Ponch on the old TV show. Ohhhhhh!

Well hopefully Vasquez is still on the case and we get some action soon.

Yup, me too, Space. Today we have a NEW car over there who seems to be helping the squatters try to get the electricity back ON. They messed with the fuse box and meter for a long time. There IS a method to bypass the meter and get it going , but it's terribly dangerous. I was hoping for sparks and fire. Didn't happen.

NOW they are at the water meter. They pulled two huge trash cans out of the yard and down the sidewalk to BLOCK the view from the street. Then one guy got into the water meter box and tried using 'tree loppers' to take the lock off. No dice. So he came back with some smaller pliers. Still no luck. Dunno what he will try next. Might be real bolt cutters? Don't think they will work either, but you never know. I have plans to call the water company tomorrow morning and alert them to the new activity. AND calling SDGE (our electric) and alert them to this crew messing with the meter. I hope they will listen and check it out. If they are SMART, they will. Past experience says they won't, but no harm making the call.

It would be tough to last long without power and the bathroom situation would be terrible without water with that many people living there. Where is the Board of Health?

Last nights activity:

After a day of fooling with the electric meter and the water meter (both turned off), they had a quiet night. As far as I could see only a few people in there, but ya never know. THEN at midnight, 2 undercover cops entered the property with flashlights (one wore a reflective vest. I only know because I had the recorder running from 11 pm and went to bed.

They were in there over 30 minutes since I never saw the entry, only the exit after a kid with a backpack approached and then walked away then came back and entered. Then the undercovers stood on the corner and a police car drove up and walked over to them. Some chit chat and then they all left, 2 unmarked cars, one patrol car, AND then a car backed out of the HOUSE. Guess someone got scared. Then another patrol car laft (it was up the block not seen).

I hope this wasn't the BIG attack. No one got taken, nothing happened, nada.

BUT today, I drove home from shopping and went past the back of the house (side street) and voila!, the electric meter (you know the round glass thingy) was GONE. Yup, just a black hole there. I called SDGE and reported it. The gal on the line didn't know if they did anything 'like that' in reference to my request to have it checked, but did come back after a few minutes and said someone would come out TOMORROW to check it. Duh! I think you can see just how lax our agencies are when it comes to actually helping people when a CRIME is reported. Tampering with a meter is grounds for arrest and prosecution in our city. Maybe that's why the fun last night? Someone else might have already noticed it and called it in?

THEN today early cops all over the side street about half way up. We figured it was the constant fighting couple, but it turned out to be a 'found' stolen car. Geez, another one on that street? Probably our squatters/druggies. So about an hour later, the guy who owns the car, came with a friend and they drove the car out. No damage, just stolen. What lovely things happen around here.

Crossing fingers the Narcotics team hasn't given up on the house. Oh and the water meter, we don't know. They had a long pipe and a shovel against the house when I got up. Interesting. AND to make matters worse... THAT CAMPER that parked there for weeks and blocks my view arrived BACK at 3am this morning. We know where the guy lives (up the block) and everyone is counting the hours (72) until we can call it in as over the time limit for on street parking. Ya think they would have not done this again right there since last time it was just a day short of being towed when they moved it.

Nothing else to do today but watch. So far only ONE car there. 2 guys walked out this morning and that was it. Nothing else. Guess the police is having 'some' effect even if nobody gets arrested.

for the update Sorta.

SDGE power company guy showed up at noon. He looked over the fence at the empty hole. Then he moved his truck to the front of the house, which is actually the back of the house where the driveway is. It's very confusing. They have the number on the other street, it's his address, but to get into the place, you actually have to be on MY street and go through the driveway gate which is the back of the house, BUT is actually on the SIDE. Confused? Me too!

Anyway, the guy walked to the meter with one of the males over there (escorted of course) looked at the empty hole, walked back to his truck, got another meter, plugged it in the hole and left. No writing down anything, no checking electric service, nothing. Just a few words to the other guy.

I'm guessing that they still will have NO electricity tonight. I'm guessing they told SDGE guy that someone 'stole' the meter. Uhhuh. If they do have lights tonight...it's MY fault.

I bet there is a big market out there for electric meters. I admire your patience for these "residents" Sorta.

So tomorrow night's Citizen's Academy is simulated suspect take downs. Hummmm. I wonder if we will learn how to subdue people, cuff them, and frisk them? I hope we get to frisk! Maybe this will help me with the neighbors....

Get out the cuffs Sorta.

Believe it or not, I DO have a set of handcuffs and I have a couple of real badges from various states. AND since it Halloween time, there are plenty of police uniforms at the thrift stores. All I have to do is put them all together, get out my heavy duty flashlight and march across the street. Oh oh, don't have a stun gun. Darn, there goes my big plan.

I know what is on your Holiday list.

Still strangeness over there. It never ceases to amaze me how the dynamics of that place change week to week. Still the original Fat Gal living there. I think she's in charge now. Probably collecting rent from the other squatters. NO sightings of the head guy or his wife or their dog in over a week now. I'm sure they are gone.

Camper from up the street still blocking my view. Hate that. AND now a family from the side street figures it's a great place to park their pick up truck(s) over night or for a few days. Was a silver one 3 nights ago. Yesterday a lady and two kids from the street walked down and drove away. NOW there is a white truck in the same place from some business 'Dakota Backflow'. I looked it up. They don't have offices in our town. Nearest is 100 miles away. I'm wondering WHY this truck is here?

AND last night after class, we drove home and there were 3 cars there at the house. One was outside the fence, 2 were inside and one or more guys were using flashlights in and around them. Always all doors open, trunk open, doing 'things' inside or under the vehicles. The latest is a yukky green van that last night, a guy was using a flashlight on the trunk area. My friend says it looked like he was CHANGING the license plate. Probably right. There have been FOUR stolen cars picked up on the side street in the last 3 weeks. Yup. Probably another stolen vehicle getting some 'updates'.

I'm suspicious that since this is a 'gang' house now, that they might be using them for stealing ATM's, or drive-by shootings, etc. We have had a flurry of both. I'll keep my eyes open for vehicle descriptions. Might just bust a theft ring or murder ring. Ya never know what will be going on in my little corner of the universe.

You have a superman lock on your door, right? Truly the police know all this and are watching/waiting for the the biggys to surface. You might be watching a super big drug ring from mexico and all that. Remember the Corleones? (spelling).
The exciting thing that happened here is: Newzel is sleeping on the dust cloth............Yippee.

There was mafia in Buffalo, NY where I grew up. They were good neighbors, good people and then they did the most awful things. When my friend, Helen, and I participated in the cross river swim race, Niagara River -some were there at the finish line and I'm positive they were screeming for us. hahahaha

Have they ever stolen any of your stuff and they don't hurt your kits, do they?

No worries, Yankee. These low-life jerks stay to themselves as much as possible. They don't want to draw any attention anything they are doing. Except for the fact that Bad Gal told them about MY security cameras and decided to bring the NEWS media right in front of my house for all to see, they wouldn't be bothering with me. Just another neighbor.

Now I just avoid going past there except in my car and make it a point to NOT look that way if they are outside. I don't walk that area anymore or any place outside my little 'fortress' where I am sort of safe. I figure if they are smart (and they are fairly clever) they won't do anything to me or mine, that will have the police on their doorstep.

NEAT happening today. Lots of activity. Lots of cars. AND overnight at 1:00 am, a truck drove up and parked in front over there. I thought it might be from the side street again since they park all over when they can't find a spot. Might be overnight or several days. Very annoying.

BUT I saw a logo on the truck, looked it up and it came back to a BUSINESS for commercial back-flow valves. Not local, nearest office is 150 miles away. So I got on my cell phone which I don't give out the number, and it comes up 'unknown' on the caller ID's. Called them, got a secretary, I explained that their truck was parked in front of a DRUG house all night, and then a guy came out of the house and drove it into the driveway inside the fence etc. SHE transferred me to the OWNER of the company. He was alarmed. I gave him the truck number (their id number) and he said it WAS theirs. Then I gave the plate and it was NOT the plate for that truck.

So then he looked and found that although they have that number truck in service, THIS one was sold or traded in last year. So it shouldn't have ANY decals identifying it as theirs). Aha! Someone goofed. Either they forgot to take the decals off (he said they ALWAYS do) or...an employee bought the truck and SAID he was going to remove the decals and never did.

So now it is in the DRUG house, here, far away from where the business services and shouldn't have been here and definitely not overnight anywhere. I gave him the info for the Detective in charge, and advised him to call and report the truck. Probably won't get a police response, but will save that company the annoyance of being contacted by the police IF this truck is used in drug transport and they arrest the driver, etc. Then the company would have to provide all sorts of documents PROVING they sold it, etc. Big mess there.

Hope I did the right thing. I know they are doing 'something' to the cars they bring inside. Last night's tampering with the license plate was interesting. AND they are probably outfitting them with hidden compartments for the smuggling. I think toooo much sometimes, but I am 99% right most of the time.

So now I watch for police, or that truck to leave and then back to business as usual around here. Ugh.

Never a dull moment.

IT's! HAPPENING! 7:15 am, 2 marked cars, about 6 or more unmarked vehicles, 2 canines, all sorts of DEA and local PD with RIFLES! Some up the block, some a block away going North to 'cut off' escape route, etc. Don't know if they will find anything. If they don't, this was our last chance. FIVE people in handcuffs on the porch. Awesome so far!

WOOT! And you with a front row seat!

Exciting! If this doesn't work, it was our last shot. Gal (undercover but now with DEA vest just got a huge heavy case and backpack from her vehicle and walked into the house. I keep watching to see if anyone gets actually taken into custody and hauled off. Police have torn down the 'shades' on the window they use for watching the neighborhood and the room in which the Fat Gal stays. They are searching like crazy! Hopefully they at least find some drugs or other stuff that will make a case. OH and one of the gals, in DEA garb is one of them that I saw as a 'customer' like a month ago. Can't miss her. Has the blondest straightest longest hair on a 4 foot skinny gal. When I saw her way back going in, I thought she was a customer and made a note that SHE doesn't look like the normal buyer. Nope, she's DEA. Wow!

OK, when they close down that drug factory, what will you do for excitement. Sorta, it's sure good reading and do you think the niece knew about this all the time.

Checking back often for updates!

Whew! I've been running between my house and porch and the road talking on the phone to 2 people and in person to several around my house.

I'm starving! No time to eat when all this started. So here's the action until now. DEA, local PD and Marshal all over the place, starting at 7ish am. Cars all over, mostly unmarked trucks and vans. Police entered house by FORCE with crowbars and battering rams (yes, just like on TV). Took out TEN people. Handcuffed them on porch and searched all over. 2 dogs went in separately, one DEA one PD.

After long time of looking, about 3 hours, they ARRESTED SIX of the people and took them off in cars. ONE was Fat Gal!!! She and 3 girls went and 2 males. THEN they let one young male walk off with all his belongings (backpack etc) and there was this OLD lady with a walker. I have seen her a lot over there. Always wondered why she was there. Turns out, if we are right SHE is undercover! They waited till everyone else was gone, and then she just tossed her walker into that TRUCK from yesterday that had the company logo on it (that I called the owner about) and she drove off with that truck. SHE didn't drive IN in that truck. Geez. She also took one of the 3 little dogs with her. She must be undercover. The truck was full of STUFF. Don't know what. Might be going to the PD for evidence.

They went through the house all over, tore off some window shades to get light in there, brought in a gal (not police, maybe code enforcement?) who walked around looking at the electric box and water places, and wires all over. She left shortly. THEN they brought in another evidence van, (one left about 1/2 hour before and the second is still there going through the house.

THEN they called in 1-800-boardup. That guy is boarding up the house now. FANTASTIC! AND the Water Company came to be sure the water was OFF. Might not keep out the transients, but this house will be under watch for a long time I think just in case anyone else wanders over who they didn't catch. I'm amazed. I'm thrilled. This 'may' be all over now, but you never can tell.

Celebrations are in order!

More details later when this all is over and I can relax. The Oxford Street Ladies Detective Agency has closed their first case!

Wow! Wow! Wow!

Oh, just simply wow. Wonder if your "buddy" Bad Gal knows this is going on.

I actually called Bad Gal when things were almost over. I'm sure she would figure it out soon enough and would wonder WHY I didn't call her since I was right there. She was HAPPY, yup, she was giddy almost that people were being arrested. How weird. She said she should come over and let the police use her KEYS. I advised against her coming around unless she wanted to be arrested too. Who knows? They might get the info on her from Fat Gal (who Bad Gal insists is an informant) and then arrest Bad Gal later. Ha. Can hardly wait to see what they shake out of the old tree in the coming days.

Board up guy and the last police van left about 10 minutes ago. FIVE minutes later, a van pulled into the driveway, saw something was 'wrong' and zoomed off. Another small sedan parked across the street and a guy and gal walked over and into the fence of the driveway. The were out of sight for about 1 minute and then walked back out looking very confused. Gal got in the car back seat (front seat must have had a passenger) and the driver opened the hood and STARTED the car from under the hood. Must be a stolen car. Yup. Messed up ignition and starts under hood? Geez.

Can't wait to see how many more people stop by looking for drugs or people. AND the arrested ones were taken with NO possessions so they will try to get back in to get their 'stuff'. Probably will break in tonight. I should definitely call police if I see that happening. Breaking and entering of a police boarded up house? Should be worth some jail time.

Thanks for the update Sorta! I read all of your posts with such glee!
Andrea

Bad Gal is probably giddy with excitement that she can now recommence her squatting possession of the house. I don't understand how this goofy niece can throw away a property potentially worth 6 figures...

Congrats Det. Blonde.

It will be interesting to see what the press says about the bust. I'm sure you will be watching the news and the papers in the coming days.

Woohoo!

Oh Space, I didn't see even ONE news car here. The only way they might get a story is if they follow police calls, or go to the jail for 'new' arrivals. I hope I hear it somewhere though.

I wrote a simple email to both of the police Detectives who worked on the case for me and got my info. One, the actual guy how planned and executed this raid was the first to respond. I simply said, THANKS. and he responded, You are Welcome. NICE.

Waiting for the other guy.

OH and I just checked our local jail list of 'intakes' and there are exactly SIX new arrivals. Now I have all their names. Yup, first and last and so far only the 2 maies have charges listed. Both are for possession of drugs. Wheeeeee. I suppose the girls will be charged later when they figure out what will work.

Still waiting for more 'buyers' to arrive at the house not knowing what happened today. Talked to my partner in crime up the street (she and I were on the phone most of the morning) and she says the 'boarding up' is in her words, Crappy! I figured they only spend about 15 minutes there so it couldn't be very good. You gotta figure the arrested guys will be out of jail on bail soon and be trying to get their stuff out of there. Probably by tonight.

Still can't believe they actually made a full scale attack on the place. I'm still smiling.

Sorta did they show up with sirens blazing this morning?

No sirens, just lights on one police car parked in the center turn lane. All other cars were totally unmarked, not even a light bar or floodlights on the sides. Very unnoticeable.

'People' still stopping by. Recognizing the cars. They are trying to figure out what happened and how to get back in. So far, no one had broken the 'boards' that were put up. Not really barricaded, just whimpy boards as a 'sign' to not go there.

I'm predicting most of all of them that got arrested will be out by tonight. Probably the guys (whose bail is only 2000) and that means they pay 200 to get out. Then the girls who have no charges listed yet, might be OR'd. I really don't care, just happy they got hassled and it might make them think a little.

Going out to look again and gloat.

I've been lurking and reading your story for a long time and I am so happy that finally something was done about this. I hope this is the end of it, but, sadly, I think it won't be. But, it for sure is a start. You sure live an interesting life! Good job.

"Going out to look again and gloat."

Sorta

So happy to have you 'lurking' mbday630! This has been a LONG saga. You are probably correct, it's not over yet. And yes, my life is totally interesting, every day, every minute. Wow!

Ahhh the joys of my own Reality TV show right across the street. It's all over but the Fat Lady still hasn't sung. Cars are still driving by and stopping and then realizing 'something isn't right' and continuing. There was ONE car that parked in the driveway, decided something was up, got a PRYBAR from the trunk and let himself and his girlfriend into the garage area to retrieve some stuff. Looked like her make-up case and he had some weird 6 ft. long pipe looking thing. Was shiny red and gold and I have NO idea why it was so important. Maybe a specialized, personalized pool cue?

Still expecting the night to be busy with lots more people breaking in to get things or to loot now that word is probably around that everyone is arrested.

OH and the charges on the 6 range from 'possession of drugs and paraphenalia' to 'operating of a residence for storage, sales, use and distribution of drugs'. This last one is a felony. All the rest have Misdemeanor charges so far. Might be more after they are all arraigned Monday. Guess who got the BIG felony charge? FAT GAL. Yup, she wanted to be in charge so she's got the big charges and her bail is 15,000 bucks. Others are from 2,000 to 5,000 so far. I'm expecting more charges as they go.

This is AWESOME!

I wonder if they are watching who is coming and going from the house?

Someone might be watching, but nothing obvious AND several people have gone in getting 'stuff'. Looks like it's their personal possessions. Guess word is spreading that this isn't a good place to be. Hope they all get that idea.

Saw who we think is Fat Gal's oldest son. He's about 40. He's bald and pretty big pot belly. He drove up after some others had been here. My friend and I dared to walk over there this afternoon and I took pictures of how it looks now, with the boarded up windows and doors. Some blocking, but if you really wanted in, it would be a chinch.

The 'son' moved a wall board panel that someone moved earlier. I guess they entered the garage through the front where the police probably didn't know it was so easy. You just have to lift panels off and move them to the side. There was an old antique sewing machine sitting in the middle of the driveway. Nothing that the old man would have had so it must be someone else's find. It will be gone soon.

Tonight will probably be a free-for-all with everyone sneaking around in the dark getting whatever they think they can. Just little stuff. The biggest haul was a lovely brand new Ford Explorer with 2 guys who had probably been in there all night collecting stuff. They came out with a guitar, skateboard, some boom boxes, etc. And what looked like clothing and other small stuff. Probably theirs.

I'm just hoping that no one decides to live in there anymore. Hope the fear builds about getting raided again. You never know. The charges are still going up on the 6 arrested. I keep checking to see what's new. All court arraignments are next week. Should be fun to see what sticks and if they are going to plead guilty or go to trial. Some have a lot to lose. The gal with the probation or parole violation will be revoked so it says. And Fat Gal has that 15k charge for 'running a drug house' so it implies. She's so dumb. They probably asked, 'Whose house is this?" and she wanting to claim it said, "MINE" and so the big charge for the major offence. Ha.

Off to review video. Probably things happened while I was typing.

Been dying to hear what went on all day - exactly what I expected. I have a feeling that once a house is on the police radar, it may just stay on their radar, so maybe the dummies will stay away.

Sorta,

Did that second officer ever respond to your email?

No, but I didn't expect he would. He's a man of few words, the 'big' honcho at the PD. Sort of a 'mystery man'. Everyone knows him, everyone likes him, but nobody really can define or explain what he does. Ha. What fun. He's so handsome and so tall and he just appears and disappears. Fun.

As for the HOUSE. Since the big bust on Friday, there are still new charges on some, and 2 are just missing from the jail log, so I assume they bailed out. BUT as soon as it was early evening over there, cars and people started coming by and people 'sneaking' in, and bring out what looked like their 'personal' belongings, EXCEPT, yesterday, late, those 3 guys went in and came out loaded, then later, the 'bicycle guy' toured around several times and went in, and was joined by another guy on foot. Both came out, but 15 minutes later, the on foot guy went back inside, never came out that I saw and bicycle guy later, ditto.

THEN my friend and I dared to walk over there, knowing someone might still be lurking inside but not caring. I took pictures all around of the boarded up stuff. It's reasonably barricaded, but anyone with a crowbar or hammer could get in. BUT the garage panels which are just sitting in place are all over. Big gap now in the front very visible, someone probably still there. AND since the picture taking, there is a set of golf clubs leaning against the remaining car, a cardboard box full of 'stuff' all sorts of goodies are being brought out for the taking.

AND at Midnight: A police car circled and then stopped on the corner. Officer got out, walked to the very corner, looked up the street towards the 'driveway access', came back to car, got I think, his cell phone, walked to the corner again and then ACROSS the street to my side and disappeared for a full HOUR. He was watching the place. The driveway is the main in and out access for cars and people and all the looting. I guess he never found anyone, but he sure tried. There was also a second car that went up the street, probably watching the other side. Too far from my camera angle to record.

So today, I expect more people coming and going with 'stuff'. It's a GOOD sign. If they keep taking things, that means they aren't STAYING there. I'm sure the police don't want anyone in there now and they would be smart to just disappear. All of them are crooked in one way or another. Birds of a Feather...

I'm off now to research the jail records and see who is still in and who is out. Monday, tomorrow starts the Arraignments! That will be on the computer and I will be able to see what is happening. Charges added, dropped, plea bargained, pleadings of guilty, etc. AND maybe more arrests. Gotta check on any newbies from yesterday. Wheeeeee!

Finally I get to enjoy a few days of peace. Neighbors are still wandering by, looking, wondering. I'm sure I'm NOT the only one who tipped off the cops, but I sure am the one who got this chapter started. I feel soooo good about that. I'd love to tell everyone that I did it, but I don't dare. You never know who knows who or who they might tell and it would come back on me. I will have to just silently enjoy the 'moment'.

I'm with you Sorta in that the fact that people are coming and taking things from the house might mean that they are going to move on to a new location......hopefully.

Oh yes, we are all hoping they are moving on to somewhere that isn't under police watch. They would be smart to do that. Just so another group doesn't take over. It could so easily go that way.

So I did a fun thing. I wrote an email to the TV reporter guy who did the story with Bad Gal and then came back to me with the 'I know she's lying' talk. He did a good story though even without all the things he could have shown. I figured he deserved to know the whole story now that things are going in a different direction and that he was part of the 'solution'. He wrote back and was thrilled and wanted all the info I could give him, including the address and phone of the Niece (who still is avoiding me.)

So he will keep this all confidential and wants to probably go to the arraignments of the arrested perps. I gave him the time and days. Tomorrow and Tuesday are all the arraignments. Maybe he will go film them or try to talk to them. They will remember him (at least some will)

OH and more interesting stuff. Fat Gal has over 300 'friends' on Facebook, a lot of them are her family. Well this afternoon, TWENTY of those friends and family REMOVED their PICTURES from their Facebook pages. Makes ya wonder why, huh?

This all sounds positive Sorta.

I am SO busy! I go out to buy some toothpicks and lo and behold, I drive back (15 minutes tops) and there across the street is the Channel 10 News car! Same nice guy who I had just written an email to thanking him for getting this started. He decided to do a follow-up story. Neat!

I walked over and chatted and he again asked if I would be on camera, or just my voice and of course, although I REALLY wanted to be famous, I declined. Sigh. I know what talking to the News Media can cause. Had it happen before and I am very careful now.

So he asked for me to send him some of the pictures of the actual RAID and he got them. He did spend some time 'lurking' up the block hoping some of the bad guys would sneak into the house, but nothing happened.

BUT tonight at 5:00 news, there WILL be a follow-up story of the fun. If any of you can get San Diego Channel 10 news KGTV, you could watch live, if not, I will get a copy and post it here tomorrow. Should be good. He already has announced it on Twitter and Facebook. Hope some of the 'Squatters' see it.

OH and additional news from the arrests: One of the guys who 'disappeared' from the jail roll after being booked is now WANTED with a 10k warrant for violating a restraining order. Don't know when the violation is, but it's a lot of money. I figure he flew the coop and he didn't show up for his arraignment today! Also a girl, might be his girlfriend, is scheduled for tomorrow and disappeared. I will check on her arraignment and if she doesn't show, we will know something is up.

Calm over there except for FIVE policemen in 4 cars about 10am. They were all older, wiser, looking guys, so I expect it was the elite Detectives and upper ranks. They looked like they were on a field trip. So cute. Dunno what it was but my class at the PD is Wednesday night and the guest speaker is the HEAD of the Narcotics Enforcement Unit. I should be able to ask him a few questions after class. He might even use this as a show and tell opportunity. They usually tell us real stuff about what they have done. Might get lucky and get some kudos from them. You never can tell.

In the meantime, still have some looters. Two guys on bicycles making lots of trips over there dragging stuff out of the garage and riding away with it in the morning or late at night. They go in and I think they sleep there or just spend time sorting stuff. Everyone's belongings out there in the garage will be gone if it goes on too long. Nice. I'm not calling this one in. Let them steal.

OH and the News Guy CAN'T get in touch with the owner lady (niece) either. She's not returning his calls. He did leave a voice mail message for Bad Gal to get her take on things. If she answers it could be neat because he KNOWS she's lying about most things. So gleeful now. I think I deserve it for once. Love it when a plan comes together. Still waiting to see if they decide to blame me for the raid. At this point there is nothing I can do but wait.

Crossing fingers that all of them spend some jail time.

I can't wait to see the news clip.

Here it is! Watch carefully for all the still pictures. Any of them with PEOPLE or CARS are MINE! I took them with my little camera, and when the news guy came by yesterday he asked for as many as I could send him. He had no idea about the Big Raid from Friday until I sent him an email on Sunday. Wow. I'm famous, well not really since nobody knows it was me, except maybe for the squatters/druggies. They will know all those pictures are from my porch. Yup. I don't care anymore. I'm just so giddy that they got caught and the story is awesome.

http://www.10news.com/news/six-squatters-arrested-during-raid-of-chula-vista-home

Hope you enjoy the show. If you didn't see the 'first' story about this, it's back in this thread somewhere. I'll find it and paste it here if anyone can't get it. Always best to see the 'original' before the 'sequel'. AND Joe Little is the nicest guy you will ever meet. Not bad looking either.

Arraignments today for 4 of the 6. Yesterday was supposed to be 2 of them, but only one showed up. We think 2 of the 6 skipped town after posting bail. The guy also has a 10k warrant for breaking a restraining order and we are guessing he wanted to get away before the police found out. I'll keep checking on the 'charges' and let you know.

EDIT for original Video: https://www.facebook.com/JoeLittle10News?fref=ts

Well done "neighbor"! I'm sure you were the main reason they are finally caught. Congrats!

I am so happy about the events. Hopefully there will be a lull in all this. 9:00 am 3 policemen escorted a well dressed guy out of the yard. He was wearing a hat and carrying a jacket and a suitcase. Don't have any idea who he was. Could be one of the 'former' residents, or he could be just some transient who wandered in for the night.

My neighbor said she saw the back security door wide open this morning. It's closed now so the police must have closed it. More stuff on the driveway, that some of the scavengers are going through. Garage door still wide open (just loose panels now that they ruined it). Probably people in there from time to time.

I am hoping they all have the sense to NOT come back except to get their meager belongings. That might have been what happened with the police this morning. One of the arrested, got out of jail this morning. I don't think I can find out anything more about courts dates or if they just let him go, etc. I'm still trying to find somewhere that will give that information. So at least one is out, 2 are out and missing and 3 girls have arraignment this morning. So far no changes in the jail status. One is NOT eligible for release no matter what since they revoked her probation and she will either go to trial on that case or just have to serve her former sentence. Can't wait till this afternoon when the Fat Gal has her arraignment. It's 15k bail and if she gets out today, I will know they are all getting a very light sentence if any at all. Could be just a 'scare tactic' for them. Hope not.

So glad the news followed up on the report... It's still kind of scary around there!

Thanks for posting that Sorta. It is nice to be able to compare what I was thinking in my mind to the real situation.

I hope this ends the drama for you.

Looks like that news report is on YouTube too now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihJ9FAwne2E

How neat! I never knew that 10 News put things on YouTube. Easy to find. Good deal, thanks for finding that!


Update from yesterday: As of early this morning, ALL arrested ones are out of jail. I talked to the Detective in charge and he could only tell me that 'several of them will have further court dates'. That's at least some consolation.

AND 4 of them (all girls) showed up at the house at 9 am. They all were dropped off in cars which quickly left the scene. All went in and about an hour later, 2 left in the same car that brought one of the others. Strange. One arrived in that car, and 2 others left in the same one. Must be a 'private' taxi service. In any case Fat Gal and one other girl are still in the house and appear to be staying.

According to the Detective, they are allowed to stay, 'because they have established residence'. How nice. HE however, is going to contact the Niece and ask her the progress of the estate settlement and the evictions. Might be good news or bad. Things should be all over by now.

I'm thinking this will never end, but then again. we did have some small successes. Maybe Fat Gal will actually spend some jail time for that 15k charge. Crossing fingers.

'because they have established residence'

What a crock.

Yeah, I agree. Anyone know a good lawyer willing to challenge the California law on the rights of squatters? They can live at my house while they prepare the case.

All 4 of the girls are staying. They just drove off in a car (frequently here) with their bedding. Heaven only knows what horrible STUFF there is living in that filth. Probably bedbugs, definitely fleas, Hazmat mentioned rat droppings earlier. Yuk! Not to mention all the contamination from drugs and then there are all the 'bodily fluids' and no working plumbing and no water and no electricity. Must be like a 5-star hotel over there.

It is too bad that the Board of Health can't close the house down.

It's getting towards the end of this chapter of the Great Saga of the Squatters.

All 4 arrested girls were 'nesting' yesterday in the house, doing laundry at the local laundromat, etc. No cars coming and going or people either except those 4.

So last night was the last class of my Citizen's Police Academy. I graduate on Monday with a full ceremony in the City Council Chambers with lots of dignitaries and I get to personally go up front and get a certificate and a police mini-pin, AND shake hands with the Police Chief (a photo op for sure). I'm pretty sure the news media will be there along with loads of friends and relatives of all the graduates. Sounds like a big deal, but I'm just happy to have it over and have learned a ton.

Speaking of learning: Our teacher last night was the head of the Narcotics Enforcement Team. He is the BOSS of the guy that called me and led the raid on the house last Friday. So I walk up to his 'display' of drug stuff just before class starts, and he looks at me and reads off my name tag and says, "...I know you don't I?" to which I start to reply and he interjects, "Yes, it's the Clock House" (pet name for the house). Aha! I've been spotted. HOW he knew my name when I'd never spoken to or even met him, I will never know, except police tend to remember things. Yup, it was a great moment.

So I got to ask him a few things before class about what went on, etc. He told me they arrested 6 and most of them will be back in court for 'hearings'. He then asked how I knew Bad Gal? Oh joy. That question comes up a lot. I explained the accidental association between us and I hope it went over well. Guess it did since he didn't slap cuffs on me.

THEN I mentioned about the electric and water being shut off. Seems it has something to do with the raid in general trying to get the squatters out. Not only did they 'cap' the water meter (which is a strong metal locked thingy) they had to go back and CUT the entire water line and meter out! So those clever people did manage to break the cap off that night when they hid the view with those trash cans. Must have worked all night on it. So the police SENT the water company over to cut the connection. Only an experienced plumber would be able to get it to the house now. Good for them!

Now I'm suspecting the electric shut off might have also been the undercover guys. Too many things happened in a short time and it must have been planned. He said they had been watching and planning the raid for quite a while and those 2 arrests a few weeks earlier along with towing the cars, WERE by his guys. They were watching people coming and going from the house and arresting them as they left. Neat!

I asked about weapons, and they found bullets in the house, but no guns, BUT they did arrest one girl leaving the house who had a stolen handgun fully loaded, in her purse. Nice. He was surprised it was a girl, me too.

BUT the best part of the night was the opening statement, "One of your class members, who might or might not want to be identified, knows first hand what we do in the community. As an illustration, I'm going to show you a short video of our latest operation." OHHHHHHH! Up on screen comes the Channel 10 story on the raid with all MY contributed pictures. Wow! How much better can you get for feeling GOOD!

Everyone loved it, most knew it was ME who broke that story and helped with the raid. There were others of course in the neighborhood that were helping too. We just never communicate. Nobody trusts anybody around here. You never can tell which side they are on. Best to not share.

So class was great, I got kudos from a lot of people, and recognition from the head Narc guy. I'm a happy camper!

AND they are not done with the house. They are still watching it. Nice to know. A few strange vans out there this morning so I know they are around, They are hoping for more arrests.

AND HE had spoken to the Niece. She (according to him) has been declared the 'owner' per the estate probate and will soon be selling the house at which time this will all be over with the crazy people. It's going to be a glorious day when it arrives.

Crossing fingers that it happens SOON! And then...what will happen next???

Sorta this was so much fun to read. I love that the boss knew who you were and gave you credit for all your detective work.

I'm so honored that HE knew my name even though we never had any contact. Wow. Fun stuff.

Yesterday, there were 4 police over there again, 3 uniformed and one plain clothes (who looked suspiciously like the Sgt. from Wednesday's class. Yup. Another field trip as I call it. They stood around inside the gate, looked at the garage area, came out to have a pow-wow, went back in and stood around some more. I think they all just wanted to see the 'scene of the crime'. Then again, there is still an outstanding warrant for Fat Gal's son. He was arrested with everyone else, bailed out immediately, and disappeared. Maybe they are hoping to catch him over here. AND those 2 males who were always there (short guys) are back. I think the entire crew is probably here by now. Hope the police keep tabs on the house.

I STILL can't figure how in the world they would stay in a house with NO electricity, NO water, and NO plumbing. They must be finding 'creative' ways to use the toilet. Ugh!

Actually saw Fat Gal WALKING down the street yesterday! She never walks more than to or from a car to go somewhere. Yesterday, there she was, coming back from the corner (where we have businesses, food, liquor store, laundry, etc. She walked right by a police car that had just made a traffic stop. Hummm. Maybe it was HER that they stopped? Could be, since just after that, we had those 4 older, wiser cops at the house.

We are still being watched. Fantastic. Can't wait to see what happens next. Then again, maybe I won't like it?

It sounds to me like they should just level the place.

Today is calmer. A few stragglers being let in to get their things. Then they leave. Don't know if all left yet tonight. The 'guard' guy seems to be back ushering in and out. Strange. Fat Gal must have spent the night somewhere else. She arrived with her girlfriend (from the last 2 days in a car) and both of them sorted some mail in the very top of the recycling bin. She must have thought that someone might have tossed something today that belonged to her. Duh.

Also have a picture of a guy on a bike that just might be an undercover. Looks so familiar. I think he was one of our instructors in the Academy.

Last night...graduated from the Citizen's Police Academy. Hooray for me!

As for the 'house'. It's looking very abandoned. After the big RAID Friday the 23rd, and then the smattering of the arrested ones, now out on bail, coming and going, and the police 'patrols' stopping by at least every other day, we are now, we hope, squatter and druggie free.

They kept coming back, taking little personal items, then bringing a car late at night and probably filling it with whatever they could get in a hurry. Police showed up at various times to look, inspect, drive by slowly. I think they just intended to remind the squatters that they were still under scrutiny. Guess it worked as far as we see. Only a few stragglers now and they are pretty much invisible. Someone could be inside (like that girl that hid from the cops that night and left 2 hours later) but with NO water, and NO electric, I think it's not so nice.

Garage area, was boarded, unboarded, etc. One guy on a bicycle kept going in at all hours and gathering stuff. THEN the 'guard' guy who was the one everyone spoke to at the fence before entering, came over and he seemed to be back to his old routine, BUT then he was gone too. 'Buyers' were turned away by the squatters who were getting possessions and looked confused.

We still have cars driving by, slowing down or stopping and then continuing as they see the boarded up doors and windows and no one around. It will take awhile for it all to go away but it's already so quiet over there. The last 3 days has been sooooo nice! I did see the Health and Welfare lady stop by for a minute or two. She just looked around outside to be sure the utilities were still off.

AND the detective on the narcotics that I spoke to (phone and email) finally answered my questions about who can be there or not. He's a man of few words, but he did say that he actually (his words) spoke to the lawyer for the eviction and he said that they are progressing and think that the eviction will be over by December. I sure hope so. This is the second bit of information from a law enforcement guy that gave us some hope. The big boss, who was our instructor last Wednesday, said that the 'owner of the house has been declared and the probate should be settled soon.' We are hoping for a nice Christmas present.

Dear Santa: For Christmas we all want: 1) an empty house, 2) a for sale sign on the fence, 3) bulldozers razing it to dust. Oh and dear Santa, if you could have the Niece come over to my house like she promised and we could talk about everything, that would be oh so nice! Thank you, from one of your best kids. Sorta and the neighborhood!

It's hard to believe - I'd think I needed to pinch myself sometimes! That police academy thing has been so good for everything. Maybe you can help some other poor neighborhood with a scourge like this!

It is nice to finally be able to see a happy ending possibly.

Just in case you have all been wondering what I've been doing for the Past 11 weeks, here it is:

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


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvVo-B8BaW0

The second video are some 'outtakes'. The guy falling over (oh so gracefully) is my neighbor/tenant/friend. He had a great time.

These are so awesome! So which one is YOU!

Aha, which one is me? I'm the OLD one with the blonde, shoulder length hair of course. Blue T-shirt sometimes, and red blouse others. I'm not 'featured' as much as some of the others. I tend not to call attention to myself if possible. But If you look at the driver of the first police cruiser after the 'lights and sirens' intro, that's ME driving a police car. Awesome. I volunteered to be first. I'm also in the second clip in a bright red blouse with my official police notebook (they gave us all one of them, how neat) questioning a witness for our 'final' in a kidnap/murder case. The rest of the time I'm in the background. We all had so much fun. I'd do it again if they had an 'advanced class'. Maybe they will. I suggested that to one of the guys who spoke to us (his wife and I got to know each other pretty well).

Oh and a follow up: I saw a guy go INTO the house at 10:am today. He appeared to be holding a brand new bed pillow under his arm. Couldn't identify him since he was wearing the typical dark hoodie and dark pants. Duh. He was on foot and dodging raindrops. I'm sure he's still inside. I've been recording all day and reviewing the tapes. He will probably spend the night as it is raining pretty heavy on and off. He might have been her all along since I haven't been paying too much attention. Gonna see if he leaves in the morning.

So cool Sorta!

Sergeant Sorta still on the case.

So it's still in progress. Yesterday afternoon, a car came and picked up a girl from the house. Familiar car (bashed in back) and I don't know if the girl was in there all the time or was dropped off and picked up. Didn't see them loading anything into or out of the house.

Later, evening dark thirty, 'bicycle boy' was back from up the side street and with him was another male walking. They went right in and didn't come out all night (I think). It's obvious that a few of the crew are still retaining possession of the place. Probably don't want any outsiders to come in and take over.

I'm still holding on to the hope that the 'eviction' will be wrapped up by December as the (detective/lawyer) told me. I suppose they already got a notice long ago, are fighting it, and soon the marshals will come and dump them and their belongings on the curb and lock up the house for good.

I'm trying to find out on the web the filing of unlawful detainer cases to see if I recognize any of the names. I could probably find out the progress or court dates. I'm pretty sure that the main Fat Gal got a notice since the Niece specifically asked for names and hers was the only one I knew. Probably that week that 3 times a guy came, escorted by various law enforcement agencies and he had a paper in his hand each time. THEN right after that, there were Facebook messaged to her from that snake, who came over to spy on me (asked a ton of questions and told me lots of stuff). He was reminding her to call him (urgent) and then came to pick her up for the 'lawyer' meeting. Could be the eviction fighting.

In the meantime, very very very quiet over there. No lights nada, nobody coming and going (except the usuals covertly) and it's soooo nice to have a bit of peace.

I'm hoping to find court dates on anything. Just have to know where to look.

Very very quiet sounds very very good to me.

I spoke too soon. The quiet is still there but there are lots of people. Ugh. Looks like 3 girls and 2 guys for a few hours and then another guy came in. Girls all left with a 'ride', came back 1/2 hour later with food and drink and SIX large moving boxes. Looks like they will be packing up stuff to take away. I hope. The other guy who came later is busy hopping back and forth over the back fence gathering up stuff. I'm not sure who he is. Never saw him before. Tall blonde guy. Sounds like the guy who the helicopter/police were looking for yesterday. Ha.

In any case, keeping fingers crossed that they are just grabbing up whatever they can get before they are formally evicted and out on the street. Don't think most of them were here all night, probably due to the lack of electricity/heat and NO water, no potty etc. The one GUY who I call the guard, must have been there all night probably 'protecting' everything and the house against anyone who isn't 'them'.

Time will tell.

Well I guess I was way too happy about the arrests. SHE (the Fat Gal) and her entire entourage, PLUS several new guys are now happily nesting again in the house with NO electricity and NO water. They come and go from 6am until late evening. I am sure that some of them are staying the night. New faces, new cars, I've never seen being driven by some of the familiar people. Gah!

This definitely is never going to be over. They are so happy, looking like regular neighbors, but under the surface, you know they are still doing the drug bit. Nothing will ever happen to them. Jail for 5 days was probably just a short vacation.

I'm still holding on to hope that the lawyer (per the detective) will have them out by December. Just can't have those people living here. They already have been spotted looking into car windows and trying door handles. I'm sure they will break into some if they see anything good, or steal the car entirely. Ditto for our mail. All boxes are at the sidewalk, easy to grab mail (which is another of their favorite things to do). I now do not leave my house until I personally meet the mailman and get my mail. What a way to live!

If they get kicked out (permanently) and the house is sold, it won't matter to them. I just found out that my former student (whose family owns several houses around town) KNOWS some of the people from here. Then I found a picture on Facebook, that shows two of them (I know their faces) IN the house cooking tacos. I got the address from mapquest by doing a satellite search. It was easy. The golf course is directly across the street and the picture was taken from inside the garage (where they live) and the windows are very distinctive. Yup, it's them. New/old digs over there. The house is a 'rooming house' similar to the one 2 doors from me that rents out rooms (including the garage) to anyone who can come up with the cash, no questions asked. According to my former student, those two have not paid rent for MONTHS. Yup. Fun people. AND a member of the student's extended family (it's huge) went across the street today on the way to school to hug and talk with one of the druggie guys over there. She obviously knows him. This is just terrible.

We are surrounded by idiots!

This stinks. One step forward two steps back.

How depressing.

Yeah, very depressing, but I haven't lost hope that the 'eviction' will actually take place sometime before the end of the year. I am sending psychic energy to everyone trying to help, and then BAD energy to those squatter/looter/druggies.

Today, I am just flabbergasted AGAIN since Fat Gal, once again (how stupid she is) posted on her Facebook page: :Antique furniture for sale. I have some small tables, 2 dressers and a STOVE." Ugh! I doubly stupid because it's obvious that the 'stove' she is referring to is IN the HOUSE. It's a 1930-40ish stove. Might be newer since it's golden yellow in color. She is actually advertising to sell the appliances. Why not the fridge? How about the water heater (since there is no gas to run it). OR how about the sinks, toilets, light bulbs, doorknobs, floors, walls, etc. Of course I'm kidding, but I still have this nagging feeling that when they are finally kicked out, they will TORCH the place. They are just trying to sell anything they can now to get drug money and there will be nothing of value left and everything will be torn out and destroyed. Yep, Actually I'm sort of hoping they do torch it. Would serve everyone right that they didn't do something in a timely manner instead of annoying the neighborhood by allowing all this to happen.

I'm just going to sit around watching today to see when the stove gets carted away and growl a lot.

All we can do is hope for the best.

Things are heating up again. Nice! Maria has once again been advertising the old guy's stuff for sale. Lots of people coming and going with stuff. (all her people). Yesterday she said she was selling 'cheap' because she was short of time. Hummmm. The detective did say that the lawyer told him the eviction would go through by December. Hopefully.

Anyway, I go out to my mailbox at 9 am and see 2 cops cars over there. I also see my neighbor 2 doors down (directly opposite the squatters house. They see a lot more than some of us. Any way, the Mom, son-in-law and the mom from across the street (the one that won't talk to me...well she sorta does if trapped but the hubby won't). Anyway, I bravely go over to see what's going on and fill them in on what I can about things that have happened. Why the police don't come, who is in the house now, etc. They know nothing about anything that I do because of my link with the detectives.

So we chat and finally the two cops leave and a few seconds later, Fat Gal and a short male (I think one of her brothers who I call the guard) come out the front gate. SHE just heads up the street and in in a hurry. SHE never walks anywhere, always has a ride. HE stands at the gate for a moment, looks over at us, and makes a distinctive hand gesture. I'm still not sure exactly which one. Can't see that far clearly. It was either the back and forth 'waggle' like nonono, or maybe the one finger salute, or possibly a gang gesture. In any case, we all gasp and comment about him being a bit upset, while the son-in-law (who is now on the upper lawn behind us) starts yelling across the street at the guy. "come over here and do that" "oh yeah, you are such a big threat" "try that over here" etc. WE are trying to shut him up since I had just informed the women they have GUNS.

In any case, that guy hotfooted it up the sidewalk and caught up with Fat Gal and they kept walking. FIVE minutes later, a van (frequent flyer) zoomed into the driveway and 4 people piled out. They all went in the gate, and in 30 seconds all but one came back out and got into the van in a hurry and drove off. The remaining guy, who I thought was going to stay, came out and walked up the side street to another 'house' they probably stay at. Fun!

Now we wait for the next shoe to drop. I have no idea where it goes from here. Loads of furniture and other 'junk' all over the driveway. It looks like they were going to have another yard sale, but got interrupted. They may all be back soon, or tonight to take things.

Also the roofer's wife said that the garage is subdivided into little stalls, no bigger than a chicken coop. Ahhh now I know how they are making some money, renting out those tiny sleeping stalls. Geez! Good thing I braved the 'shunning' routine and went to talk to my neighbors. I figured I would have back-up if 'she' started anything. NOW she will go home to hubby and tell him what I said. I make a point of telling her that lots of neighbors have called the police, not just me and the detectives, etc. Hope she feels better about me now, but you never can tell.

OH and I also complimented her and the roofer's wife on the weight loss. They both (and other relatives) have had weight loss surgery. They are losing tons of weight.Wow! Hopefully the weight we lose in the neighborhood will be all those nasty, gang member, druggie, squatters.

Hmmm... this is one of the more interesting developments I think.

Will this ever end? Sorta you might want to talk to your neighbor about taunting these people. That does not sound like a good plan.

Taunting gangbangers is always a bad idea. The son-in-law has a fierce temper. They have 6 minor children there and a few months ago they caught a guy looking in the teenage girl's bedroom window. BIG problem. Wow. So he's on the watch. Hopefully these creepy people will just pack up everything in sight (steal) and go to another location where that neighborhood will have to deal with all their antics. I'm really hoping they are getting out, but I won't believe it until they are far gone.

I went shopping and when I returned they had 3 vehicles there. The SUV was backed in and they were cramming all the furniture (which was listed for sale) into it. Maybe they are taking everything away and will just be empty by nightfall. There was a bunch of stuff on the driveway, but now it looks pretty clear. There is always hope.

Oh and the roofer's wife said that she saw them using CANDLES in the garage last night. Good thinking. Old, dry, rotted, messy piles of rags, etc. and they are using candles? Nice. Let's just see what happens.

If I'm right about them moving for good, they will probably be back for another load soon.

Candles in the garage sounds very dangerous. That place is a total disaster.

I hope the eviction happens soon for you Sorta.

Fat Gal's little merry band of thieves were sooooo busy yesterday! They came in SUV's, trucks, and cars, sometimes 3 or 4 at a time with several 'helpers'. From what I could see, they were busy loading as much stuff that was still in the house, into their vehicles and carting it off. I really think that the eviction is coming quickly and they know it. Lots of furniture (old 1930's-40's) and a ton of books went. He had probably 3 thousand or more books. Yup, not kidding. Every room was stacked with books. He bought a bunch from me at my various yard sales. He also had an extensive Playboy collection from Issue ONE so Bad Gal says. I think she might have taken some of them, but I saw lots of them just sitting out in the rain from time to time. Sad.

The fun went on all night. I still have to review the 8 hours of video to see what I missed. Oh and Bad Gal's 'ride' that was supposed to pick her up for an 'appointment' at 2:30, arrived at 3:50. Guess they will be late.

This really does sound like they are scavenging as much as they can as quickly as they can. Probably doing everyone a favor by emptying the place out since obviously no one responsible for the property is interested in doing it.

How long can a family who owns a house of a deceased family member stall and not take possession or do anything to preserve the house or the neighborhood from all this? I guess the answer is so far, since November of 2013. 2 years and counting. I really think they insured it with some company and are hoping and praying that it gets destroyed so they can collect the money and run away. That's the only thing that makes sense in this horrible saga. ALL his possessions are sold or in Bad Gal's storage (she admitted she has 'some' of his stuff in storage). The rest was stolen, sold, taken to swap meets, advertised on Facebook and carted away by everyone. How many of those people have no idea this is all stolen dead guy's stuff? Probably a few, but they don't care.

Today, 4-6 people there, and a dog I've never seen before. Puttering all day in the driveway and house. More stuff in the driveway today than was there yesterday, AND they carted away carloads of furniture and things yesterday. Geez. He had a lot of things. 3 bedroom house, all with full sets of old furniture. Now there is a desk tied to the top of a car that's been there most of the day. I wonder if they will leave or stay all night to gather more goodies.

Totally entertaining to watch all this, but I'd love to go back to being bored. Way too much energy expended over this whole thing. Waiting....

It's been 6 days - I'm having withdrawals! Please help!

OK OK! I've been waiting for something exciting to happen but for now, it's just a smattering of activity over there and no big stuff.

Fat Gal (who has the biggest charges on her)hasn't been seen since the day we were out front with the neighbors and got the wagging finger. She does however, post about 15 'happy' posters on her Facebook page each day between 1 am and 5 am. They are all about 'knowing who your friends are', how 'the ones you thought you knew are the ones who backstab you'. You get the picture. Those are followed by comments by her family and friends about 'hanging in there', 'you can do it', 'this will pass', things will get better', etc. I'm sure she is going to trial and everyone knows she's in deep Bandini.

Now we have only one car sometimes backing in and I can't tell if someone gets in or out or just sits. Too dark to see. The 3 musketeers (2 on bike and the walker) are still milling around. Did I happen to mention the one I call the 'guard' has completely torn off the front porch steps? Yep. They were in terrible shape (old wooden ones about 6 feet across) and 2 of the steps broke early on. but they were there. Then a few days ago, the guard guy decided to try to pull the Cox Cable wire loose (cox guy ran it across and under a broken step). So he tugged and pulled and bingo, the entire step assembly (3 stairs) came apart from the foundation and now it sits to the side.

I'm half wondering if they were planning to use the wood for nightly fires to keep warm? All that wood (plywood and beams from the garage) that was piled in the yard, got moved the same day. The guy just chucked it ALL (I'm talking a pile 4 feet high by 10 feet long and 5 feet wide which came from the sheds they dismantled and sold and from inside the garage) into the 'patio' area near the garage. It's a cement floor, brick wall enclosure and now all that wood is haphazardly piled in there. Maybe they are planning a goodbye bonfire?

Each day, more and more 'stuff' is piled in the driveway. First it's just a pile of junky stuff, then it becomes a neatly stacked against the wall arrangement. Can't tell if it's good stuff or bad, but now big boxes are appearing and seem to be in a neat pile. They are probably STILL going through every inch of that property to be sure they get everything that they can sell to support their habits. Gah. I'm guessing they are tearing into every wall space looking for his 'treasure'. That place has to be a huge destroyed mess.

Then the pile disappears and you never see when or who. I think the do it after 1 am until 4 am since I am asleep then. I tried recording it, but again, the moon isn't cooperating and the place is totally dark.

OH and the car that they drove inside over a month ago and started the 'taking apart and putting together' routine on, is STILL there. They continue to fiddle with that. We are pretty sure they are packing drugs in it (or getting them out). A tow truck (the one that always stops by and tows their cars), was around last night. Sat in front for 15 minutes but just drove off. Might just have been a progress check.

Have NOT heard from Bad Gal since she called me after the second video and expressed her anger at being called 'a squatter too'. Ha. I was thrilled. I think she knew I lied to her about where the news guy got all those great pictures of the raid. Oh well. She, according to the ex who did call me a few days ago, is still with the boyfriend (who has a good job and is a nice guy). She is still (or maybe both of them) living in a motel near his work. She says it's because he is fixing the bathroom on the single wide trailer he owns. Something strange there since this 'fixing' has been going on for a few months. Doesn't take that long to fix something, especially on a mobile home. I think she just likes living in temporary digs. 50 bucks a night, all the amenities. Why leave? She's a wanderer anyway.

AND the ex says Bad Gal and boyfriend have a brand new Mercedes or BMW SUV. Yep. Must be doing well selling all the old man's stuff she stole. Can't figure her out. She's a sociopath for sure and has OCD worse than me. She is still wanting to get into the 'house' and 'finish' her cleaning of it. Huh? She never cleaned, she just 'cleaned him out'. Gads, to hear her tell it, she's doing a humanitarian work. We should give her a medal.

Still no court dates posted for any of the 6 who were arrested, but the police are still driving by daily (every shift) and slowly scanning the house and yard. My neighbor said he saw 2 police cars and a big pick up truck and loads of books all over the place with the police questioning the truck's driver. Can't do a darned thing to anyone with anything from the house because no one can PROVE the items belonged to the old guy. So stupid.

Someone still makes sure to check the mailbox every day. They still get mail there so maybe it's important stuff like summons to court? Probably more likely it's illegal credit cards.

Now we wait. It's been soooooo BORING!

Boring sounds like an improvement from where things used to be???

Thanks for the fix! I figured things were boring...

Yeah, I've been glued to the security camera monitor all day (and the front door actual view) and NOTHING is happening. I'm almost ready to believe nobody is there. Naw...can't be. They won't give up till they are dragged off kicking and screaming: "SHE did it, this is all Sorta Blonde's fault, She's the guilty one!, She owes us money!"

The police did however make 2 passes about an hour ago. Probably the shift change. Slowed down, looked, went around the block, repeated. I think the house has now become a source of major amusement for everyone on our police force. I can just see the shift meetings. "Today we will be watching The Clock House". "nits 1 and 3, you will have the first shift". "Units 4 and 7, you hang back and make the second sweep." "Units 5 and 6, hide in plain sight just in case we spot anything happening, and then you can swoop in and NOT arrest anyone as usual." "Those of us of higher rank, will just drink coffee and wait until the News guys need someone to interview." "OK everyone, be safe."

Darn, it's quiet. I hate having nothing to write in my journal. 3 days now and not even one entry. AND it's HOT here today. We get temps in the 60's and now it's 89 degrees! Amazing how that happens. Earthquake weather. All we need is some rain, and they are predicting it for Monday. MAYBE a big sink hole will open up and swallow the house????

I'm still hoping for some good news around here, but from what I see, there is nothing good happening. Still have the 3 guys who go in and out, and now some girls again. Fat Gal was there 2 days ago. Obviously she's 'in charge' and I'm pretty sure the guys are her family members. I've identified one who turns out to be her son. Yup. They are keeping control of the house.

Yesterday, a girl came over (actually 2 but one never got out of the SUV. The tiny one (I think one of Fat Gal's daughters) got one of the guys to help her load 2 mattresses into her SUV. Both were twin size and have been sitting outside for weeks. She drove off and in less than 15 minutes, was BACK with the mattresses and unloaded them. Guess they didn't fit? Wrong color? Who knows.

Fat Gal was there to supervise and then walked off up the block again and was joined by a guy from the other side of the street and they both went up the side street (one street from here). We think they are living there, or the children are or something. Fat Gal stayed late into the night in the house. You could see what looked like candle flames barely lighting what is 'her' room.

THEN last night, same room, never saw much because I just ignored all the ins and outs, those two side-by-side windows were GLOWING. It looked like someone was lighting paper and then it would burn for about 30 seconds and then slowly get dimmer and dimmer and then poof. All light gone. This happened about 3 or 4 times. It was either trying to start a fire to keep warm, or burning some 'documents' or maybe just smoking the meth like they do out front of my house. Tinfoil with the powder on it and a lighter held underneath and a straw to sniff it. Terrible! More likely they were burning papers since it was so bright and then slowly went out.

In any case. I don't see this little core group moving. Today at 8:15 AM a gal drove up, got out her tote bag purse and a big mug (steel travel mug) of probably coffee). In she went and made sure she locked up the gate carefully. I took yet another picture of her license plate for future reference. Maybe some day, someone will want to see all my 'stuff' and it will help. Not holding my breath.

Can't wait to see what happens today. Maybe they are preparing for the big Thanksgiving feast tomorrow, where all their friends and family will attend?

That was good Sorta.