# Is there an actual way i can stop my redneck neighbors from blatantly polluting? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 5, 2015, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022 "2015-08-05T00:46:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![justjake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a587f6/32.png) [@justjake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justjake)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/21 "2015-08-05T02:47:10Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Are they dumping trash on your property or public property? Call the non-emergency police number or county code enforcement, video them doing it and email it to the county. In the road and sometimes an occassional bottle or can in OTHER peoples property. ---
**Author:** ![Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enter_the_Flagon)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/22 "2015-08-05T02:54:19Z")
In my experience, the police aren’t likely to be of any help in a situation like this, and are more likely to make matters worse (scenario slightly exaggerated for rhetorical effect) Police: (Knock Knock) “Hello, sir, I’m Officer Phalloplasty from the Metropolitan Police.” Littering Neighbor: “Yeah?” Police: “See that guy in the window over there? He called us because you’re throwing trash in your yard.” LN: “Which guy? The blue house?” Police: “Yeah, his name’s MacDiddle. We’d appreciate it if you’d make sure he doesn’t call up bothering us anymore.” LN: “No problem, he’ll be dead by morning.” Police: “Just make sure to hide the body.” The code enforcement people are probably your best bet. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/23 "2015-08-05T03:02:42Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Just what I’d expect from young people online. > > … > > Now please excuse me, there are a bunch of kids out on my lawn playing loud music that I don’t understand. If you’re going to rag on young people, best not to do it with a joke that was lame and stale in 1979. ---
**Author:** ![justjake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a587f6/32.png) [@justjake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justjake)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/24 "2015-08-05T03:11:12Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > If you’re going to rag on young people, best not to do it with a joke that was lame and stale in 1979. ooOOoOOoOOOOoooooohHHHH. We young people got him!!! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/25 "2015-08-05T03:11:46Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > If you’re going to rag on young people, best not to do it with a joke that was lame and stale in 1979. _Au contraire_. If there’s _ever_ a time to use a joke that was lame and stale in 1979, it’s when ragging on young people. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/26 "2015-08-05T03:25:55Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > If you’re going to rag on young people, best not to do it with a joke that was lame and stale in 1979. Was there an internet in 1979 in your world? ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/27 "2015-08-05T03:40:17Z")
As a matter of fact, there _was_ an Internet in 1979 (it’s been around since the early 1970’s and maybe even late 1960’s in some early form). In those halcyon days, it was only available at certain major universities, government-sponsored research labs, and some military sites. So the user community was limited to mostly academic types, mainly Computer Science people. Those were the days, before Usenet was polluted beyond recognition with trolls, before AOL existed. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/28 "2015-08-05T04:18:17Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > As a matter of fact, there _was_ an Internet in 1979 (it’s been around since the early 1970’s and maybe even late 1960’s in some early form). In those halcyon days, it was only available at certain major universities, government-sponsored research labs, and some military sites. So the user community was limited to mostly academic types, mainly Computer Science people. Those were the days, before Usenet was polluted beyond recognition with trolls, before AOL existed. Ty. Ignorance fought. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/29 "2015-08-05T12:27:07Z")
Actually, the OP’s neighbors are not “destroy(ing) the environment”, they’re just dumping ugly trash. Since they’re all elderly rednecks, maybe the best bet is to contact AARP (Association of Ancient Redneck Persons). ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/30 "2015-08-05T14:28:45Z")
Give them a 50 gallon barrel as a gift. Rednecks love burning trash. Problem solved. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/31 "2015-08-05T14:50:28Z")
> [@justjake](#): > > I’ll just let them destroy the environment, our neighborhood, and my and other’s health. My goodness! :eek: I’m surprised you’re still alive! ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/32 "2015-08-05T15:00:12Z")
Lead by example. Pick up the garbage. Do it silently, with a smile on your face, wave Hello if being observed. Keep doing it. Always. Pretty soon you may see them coming around to your view. Without a fight. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/33 "2015-08-05T15:06:57Z")
I’d pepper spray the lot of 'em. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/34 "2015-08-05T15:18:33Z")
> [@justjake](#): > > I’m gunna tell the cops that my neighbors are literring all the fucking time and they need to fine them for that. It’ll be a lot of money for the county and police, i’ll just say that. > > Either that, or i’m just gunna start walking more and when i see them litter i’m gunna ask them nicely to not do it. If they act like assholes, well, it’s a fight. > > It’s a fight. Not many people use the word “gunna”, particularly online. Are you sure you’re not part of that 1/3 redneck? :dubious: I know what you’re going through because I have a new neighbor, really a homeless man who stalks his ex-girlfriend who just moved next door, who chain smokes and litters his cigarette butts… on my side of the street next to my house. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/35 "2015-08-05T15:36:09Z")
If you don’t want to be going into their yard to clean up after them, see if you can get word out to the homeless community that these people are leaving recyclables out for people to pick up. They might start cleaning up their act once they’ve got homeless people wandering all over their property all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/36 "2015-08-05T22:18:47Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > _Au contraire_. If there’s _ever_ a time to use a joke that was lame and stale in 1979, it’s when ragging on young people. 😛 Obviously. Tsk. Young people have no sense of irony. As for advice, I don’t have nearly enough information to be giving any. Is this within city limits? Small town or bigger? Is there much of a buildup? Do you see it happening or do you just see the result? Curbs and gutters or dirt shoulders? ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/37 "2015-08-05T22:39:51Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > As a matter of fact, there _was_ an Internet in 1979 (it’s been around since the early 1970’s and maybe even late 1960’s in some early form). In those halcyon days, it was only available at certain major universities, government-sponsored research labs, and some military sites. So the user community was limited to mostly academic types, mainly Computer Science people. Those were the days, before Usenet was polluted beyond recognition with trolls, before AOL existed. In other words, it was a very small lawn, but it wasn’t infested with yutes\* and their incomprehensible music. So we liked it. On a related note, google “Eternal September” (aka “The September that never ended”). I blame AOL. - > [@My Cousin Vinny](#): > > Judge Chamberlain Haller: Uh… did you say ‘yutes’? > Vinny Gambini: Yeah, two yutes. > Judge Chamberlain Haller: What is a yute? > Vinny Gambini: Oh, excuse me, your honor…Two _youths_. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/38 "2015-08-05T22:54:42Z")
Instead of being aggressive and confrontational why don’t you try a public awareness sort of campaign in your neighborhood. They just might respond. Ask for neighbors to contribute to a small reward fund that the kids could be rewarded for picking up trash. I know a lot of southern cities don’t have any recycling programs, maybe you could head one up. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/39 "2015-08-06T17:16:27Z")
You need to talk to the “authorities.” But, leave out the reference to drunken rednecks and the like. Do you have a HOA? Either way, you could organize a “keep our neighborhood clean” campaign, and try to keep it friendly and non finger-pointy. ---
**Author:** ![mustanglovrsue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@mustanglovrsue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mustanglovrsue)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022/40 "2015-08-06T17:42:05Z")
if the neighbors are too dumb for you, move. find yourself a nice super smart neighborhood with nobody ‘beneith’ you … in the mean time, pick up the cans and bottles, take them in, then let the neighbors know how much money you got for their cans [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-way-i-can-stop-my-redneck-neighbors-from-blatantly-polluting/727022.md?page=3)