Peace might require fence and a camera

Dear Amy: My husband and I recently bought a house.

Our new next-door neighbor had been close friends with the man who had owned our house for 30 years.

This neighbor was used to trespassing on our property all the time.

We do not want this. During home renovations, whenever we had workers at our house, he would come over and tell them how HE wanted the work done.

We stopped this by telling the workers not to pay attention to him and giving the workers very specific directions about how WE wanted the work done. We instructed them to ask him to leave the property.

This morning I saw him trespass onto our property and spray industrialstrength weed killer onto our grass.

We have relatives, friends and pets who because of health issues cannot be near weed killer.

This person is an intrusive bully, and a sneak.

How do you handle someone who does not get the message to stay off our property? — Upset Homeowners

Dear Upset: Your neighbor might be experiencing cognitive changes, brain illness or decline. The weed killer episode is one clue that all might not be well with him, mainly because it seems irrational and — random.

Either that, or he is an intrusive bully (or possibly both).

A fence clearly delineating your property line would be a good investment. You should also consider installing an outdoor security camera.

Your neighbor calling you “rude” is a small price to pay. Perhaps your “rudeness” will keep him off of your property.

Remember that he has 30 years of behavior to undo. If he continues to trespass, you may have to follow through and get the police involved.