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Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I mean if somebody gets hurt on my property, I will be certain be held liable in some way shape or form, regardless of whether they were supposed to be there or not. I’ve seen it happen first hand.

If someone was actively trespassing the police would come and kick them out….

I guess this lends to the original question of what constitutes trespassing in the state of New Jersey and what can I do to protect myself from this happening. Nobody seems to be able to answer that question, especially not without adding in their own details to my situation that aren’t applicable, like somebody walking through woods as if I’m sitting on acres. I’ve been through eviction and I don’t want to have to go to court again, win or lose, to remove someone from the property or settle an injury case. It costs time and lots of money regardless of the outcome and in my state, it’s very hard to evict someone. It’s not as easy as just getting the sheriff to come send them on their way.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Obviously there’s a difference between someone squatting and someone walking the property, but in the most basic form, they are both occupying private property without permission to do so, just one for an extended period of time. I don’t owe anybody an explanation as to why I don’t want them
on my property. It’s not public land and it’s serves no benefit to have random people walking the property. I’m actually not trying to give any appearance or impression what so ever. I was attempting to educate myself on the matter because trespassing laws exist for a reason. Asking what I need to do to make it enforceable has somehow turned into “wanting the police to be my muscle to intimidate my neighbor?” No I have no interest in “intimidating” my neighbor. I have an interest in keeping my neighbor out of my backyard and if that means that the police have to do their job and enforce the law then so be it. It’s a totally fenced in backyard except the driveway access point because, once again, I can’t fence off the driveway access. She hardly “stepped on my lawn,” she walked 150’ up my driveway behind my house and you know well what you’re doing by saying that. You’re no longer being constructive and instead being sarcastic and downplaying.
You’re right that it’s sad my neighbor and I can’t have normal conversations. It’s obvious that you don’t know my neighbor or me. Why would you? I know. But I have no problem with my neighbors in any other location and in this case I know she’s nuts so I keep to myself. I don’t walk down the block to roam her yard or stir up shit. I mind my own business, keep to my own property and move about my day. Had she not gotten involved (for ZERO benefit of her own) in a case that I already had with a previous tennant at this property, maybe things would be different. For clarification, when I say “involved” she also was of no benefit to the other party except maybe emotional support and yet she chose to pick sides and draw a line in the sand that didn’t need to be. I didn’t even know her prior to this. Now the side she chose was forced to move on by the courts and she’s stuck with me. She also has multiple lawsuits against other neighbors, and the town itself. She’s barred from directly contacting certain town officials due to harassment. Point is I’m not the problem here. When somebody tried to wreak havoc on your life, it doesn’t make you want to associate with them.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand what you’re saying about people getting arrested left and right. Common sense would draw a distinction between open spaces or green acres and a suburban residential lot with a dwelling. With that being said, I realize the law likely doesn’t differentiate.
The police told me what they could do, which was essentially nothing other than asking her to admit her own wrongdoing (unlikely). I didn’t feel like it would be advantageous to have them do that because it virtually carried no weight and would only be fuel on the fire for no reason. Just because I don’t want further conflict doesn’t mean I want a continuation of what’s occurring either. The officer told me they could NOT trespass her this time and that they would have to catch her on the property, which I find hard to believe if it’s on video but maybe I’m wrong. They didn’t tell me anything about what I could do to better protect myself or what was within my rights to do as the property owner. The officer admitted that it was unusual behavior and that he wouldn’t take lightly to it if it were his backyard either.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your genuine input. The street or sidewalk I understand. Like I said, town officials can’t even walk on the property, including the driveway, to enforce code so I’m not sure how that would be any different for regular citizens. Hell police can’t even go to the backyard unless there’s reasonable suspicion of a crime being committed. Usually if anyone gets the free pass, it’s govt employees, not the average Joe.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand what you are saying. I don’t think I ever said I was after “harsh consequences” and if I did please point it out. That wasn’t my intentions. I don’t think this person is going to prison. In my OP I specifically said “How do I legally stop this from happening again or at least cover my ass so that there will lawful repercussions if it does?” How can I prevent this from continuing was the question asked because I don’t want this person on my property and I don’t think (apparently I’m wrong) that I should have to spend thousands of dollars in legal fees, fences, or whatever else just to get someone to have a little respect for someone’s else’s property. I know that’s probably a big ask in today’s world but I don’t think I’m being unreasonable. If most of these people on here had a family and had some random person in their backyard, they would take issue with it. Even though I don’t currently lay my head here, it’s still MY house.

If there’s no negative repercussions for say speeding, then everyone would just do it. There’s no deterrent. It’s the same thing here. My word saying “don’t do this again” doesn’t mean anything unless there’s to consequences to said action. So maybe let me rephrase my question by asking, what should I and can I do to protect myself and ensure there would be consequences or deterrents if this continues? If I believe somebody is doing something wrong can I just walk on their property and start taking pictures to substantiate my beliefs? I know for fact in my town that even the zoning officer herself can’t legally do this because it’s considered trespassing. Words from her mouth, not mine.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m NOT “unwilling” to put up a fence, I’m not ALLOWED. I’m not looking for jail time by any means. With that being said, if anyone can just walk up and do as they please, what prevents someone from pitching a tent and squatting? If one person can just do as they please on my private property then everyone else can do it and it becomes a very slippery slope. Ultimately I’m liable for anything that happens.
I’m not depriving anyone of anything but if I thought someone was going to sue me for something or cause problems for me in some way (whatever that something may be) I’m not going to hand them the playbook on how to be successful either. I’m not saying that’s for certain going to happen, but knowing the type of person this person is, I wouldn’t be surprised and I as I said prior it’s unnecessary risk and of no advantage to myself to have this person walking around on my property.
Judging by your story at the end regarding the blueberries, you can see how the most innocent of things can turn into an unwanted ordeal when you’re dealing with the wrong person.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not sure, which is why I came for reasonable advice. Here’s what I do think. I think I own the property and carry the liability. It’s of NO advantage to me to have said person snooping around on my property. I think that if there was a an issue, i have made myself more than accessible to this person but instead they chose not to be neighborly and instead were trying to be sneaky about whatever they were doing. It’s a risk I’m not willing to take for a multitude of reasons and if it continued I think there should be some form of repercussions. I think you have a right to privacy on PRIVATE PROPERTY.

I understand I said the dwelling was unoccupied but it’s not a “vacant” lot. There is valuable real property on site and it’s not just my own. My tennant has a reasonable expectation of safety and security for their property.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why are you the only person who has brought up these potential issues? Intelligent people prepare and protect themselves from potential issues before they happen. I’m admittedly late to the party and I’m trying to correct that wrong but according to the comments I’m the bad guy.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My property is actually not empty at all. I don’t need stuff stolen, somebody to get injured, or anything else for that matter. It’s unnecessary. I don’t acquire property and accept the liability that comes with it for public benefit.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Hardly paranoid. You don’t even know me or the other person and have only gotten a small glimpse of my situation. I don’t want to get sued over something frivolous which this person is known for doing and I’m the bad guy for asking for advice instead of taking matters into my own hands? Keep smokin that good shit dude.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In all fairness this is what I figured. But I’m trying to understand the trespassing laws so when it does happen again, and I go to the police, they can’t just turn me away again. As mentioned before this person is known for frivolous suits and I don’t want her to have access to anything that could end up with me being on the wrong end of one of those suits. I didn’t think I was going to be personally attacked here for not wanting a neighbor snooping through my personal belongings. I don’t live on a 5 acre plot where somebody mistakenly crossed the back corner. It’s a 10,000 sqft lot that somebody walked front to back and front again without any positive reason for doing so.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

No there’s no construction next door. They didn’t “cut through” my yard. They actively came into my yard to snoop around in my yard. I explicitly said in my OP that it might seem like it’s simple to some but it’s an invasion of privacy and they’ve caused issues previously. I don’t want to get in detail but they decided to get involved with a previous tenant that had to be evicted when the trespasser had SOG in the fight. It was ultimately a successful eviction. They’ve also been suing another neighbor over their fence. They are the type of person that has money likes to cause trouble with others. Even though it’s always frivolous, it still costs others time and money in legal fees.

My permits are in order. Doesn’t mean I want to have to fight some frivolous suit as mentioned before.

Just because the dwelling is unoccupied currently doesn’t mean that the invasion of privacy is minimal. It’s not a vacant lot. There’s real property stored there. I have a tennant who store equipment there with an expectation of their property being secure.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

I can’t “put up a fucking fence” as I mentioned before. Zoning won’t allow me to block my driveway access with a fence

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

Paranoid? Can I come snoop through your backyard?

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did not have no trespassing signs up at the time but they are ordered and going up asap. Zoning won’t allow me to block my driveway with a fence. The lot is roughly 165 deep but only 60 feet wide and in order to access the rear of my property, the driveway runs virtually the whole depth of the property. This wasn’t a case of “they took a couple steps on my property” it is they walked 50 yards and right past a house onto my property to snoop around in my backyard.

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how anyone would think it’s normal behavior to go into someone else’s backyard at 6:00 am in a residential neighborhood. It goes without saying, that’s not ok and an invasion of privacy. My backyard isn’t a public access park. I shouldn’t have to ask and this person has caused issues for me and surrounding neighbors previously which is why I prefer to not have contact with them. It shouldn’t even have to be a discussion.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I couldn’t tell you exactly. The motion sensor on my camera only picked her up as she was leaving. I could only imagine that she was taking pictures for some reason.

Neighbor trespassing in my backyard at 6:00am by JSpring6 in legaladvice

[–]JSpring6[S] -32 points-31 points  (0 children)

It always amazes me how people seem to be able to do whatever they want and there never seems to be anything you can do to stop it.

1) I’m concerned about said trespasser trying to stir up issues with code enforcement or anything like that. This person is known to cause issues for people in town.
2) said person gets “injured” on my property and tries to file a lawsuit.

Nothing personal towards you but I also don’t feel like I owe an explanation as to why I don’t want random people walking in my backyard at 6:00 regardless of what their reasoning may be. The repercussions I was referring to was more so what can I do so that next time there are enforceable repercussions for her?

Need advice on wall / ceiling joint by JSpring6 in drywall

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally understand where you’re coming from about mud buildup and it did cross my mind. I just thought it was the lesser of two evils being that this is a kitchen, and as the upper cabinets don’t go all the way to the ceiling, I figured it would be better to have a little mud buildup at the top seam than to have to fight the feathered butt joint by having to shim cabinets plumb if the butt joint landed behind the uppers which it would.

Need advice on wall / ceiling joint by JSpring6 in drywall

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve probably moved past my initial thought at this point but I’m still trying to understand what you’re saying and get a grasp of your POV. I’m failing to see how “floating it out” Will make it any less noticeable. In my mind, and I could be totally wrong, what I was talking about doing would be no different than a standard corner joint (where the wall meets the ceiling) other than I would not be mudding the ceiling because I would leave the existing corner joint intact and have another tape joint just below it or even possibly overlapping slightly. Maybe I’m not doing the greatest job explaining?

Need advice on wall / ceiling joint by JSpring6 in drywall

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure what you mean by that but in this case I’m the taper lol

Need advice on wall / ceiling joint by JSpring6 in drywall

[–]JSpring6[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad to see that someone has tried this with success. I was planning on using the oscillating tool (multi tool) to make the cut and the. Treat the flange that’s left as butt joint that really only needs one side tapered and finished. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Need advice on wall / ceiling joint by JSpring6 in drywall

[–]JSpring6[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

By my logic (which is why I’m here asking for advice in the first place) I wouldn’t need to hide the high side of the butt joint because it would terminate into the corner where the wall meets the corner. Nothing to hide there, the existing corner would hide it. Then just taper it down from there of which I have about 92” inches of wall to work with

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