# Where to report a property violation

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-report-a-property-violation/810191>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 7, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-report-a-property-violation/810191 "2018-03-07T17:11:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 33

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**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-report-a-property-violation/810191/33 "2018-03-09T13:58:43Z")

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> [@Leaffan](#):
>
> What if you ask the neighbour and he’s antagonist and tells you to take a hike, or worse?  
> You’re then obligated to call the authorities, and now your neighbour knows exactly who did it.  
> I don’t need that shit.

> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#):
>
> Just curious, did you talk to your neighbor before you reported him? Because, I would be a bit miffed if a neighbor went behind my back to report something like that before giving me a chance to fix things without involving the cops. Perhaps your neighbor was unaware the problem was bothering anyone besides himself.
> 
> Besides, if the cop is going to tell they guy who filed the report, not discussing it with the guy first isn’t going to help you much.

I agree with Leaffan (at least, as far as this issue. The Leafs? ehhh…) Someone stupid enough to build a pool and fail to comply with obvious safety regulations, and then give you grief about mentioning it, is possibly equally likely to do things up to and including rocks through your window, slashed tires, etc. Never underestimate the power of assholery, especially if you both have to live there for the foreseeable future.

Seriously, are there people who DON’T know a pool needs a fence? That indicates a level of stupidity that few can rise to. This is not “please trim your tree” or “weed your lawn”. This is a potentially lethal situation.

Most police will not tell someone who filed a complaint. Of course, the policeman may say something like “your broken pipe can be seen and smelled next door” or something equally clueless and clueful. But generally, they will not disclose something about a complainant. (If they do, complain some more… to the police chief.)

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