The Times is partnering with our local police to give them a platform to share important messages with our readers around crime-prevention and community safety. Below is the latest column from Sergeant Brett Meale of Howick Police.
I’m sure most of you feel the same as me and regard your house as a safe place.
A place where we want our family and ourselves to be able to feel safe, secure, and happy.
Unfortunately, there are a small minority of people in the community who seem to delight in making other people’s lives uncomfortable and often a misery.
If you have a neighbour like this, you can relate to what I am saying. There has been a noticeable increase of reports to police about issues with neighbours.
Some reports are for excessive noise or anti-social behaviour, but the majority relate to boundary disputes, fences, cutting of trees and other animal issues.
Often these complaints are likely to be civil disputes rather than criminal offences but can involve complex issues that are not easy or quick to resolve.
Depending on the willingness of the parties to compromise, they may never be resolved.
If you are in the unfortunate position of becoming involved in a dispute such as this, with a neighbour, here are some suggestions you might consider:
- Try to resolve any differences amicably through good communication. Become knowledgeable on any relevant council bylaws that may affect your dispute. Councils often have information relating to common neighbourhood dispute issues. An independent mediator may help as well.
- Join and be active in your Neighbourhood Support group. You may find that other neighbours are experiencing similar problems.
- Keep a detailed and accurate log of the incidents including dates, times, and notes of the circumstances.
- For civil disputes, you should seek legal advice from a lawyer or there is the option of the Disputes Tribunal at the District Court. The Citizens Advice Bureau has a free lawyer for advice service and have information regarding council bylaws.
- In any case where you fear or suffer an assault or serious property damage, report this to the police immediately.
Having dealt with many disputes between neighbours over the years, often what starts out as a minor dispute can quickly get out of hand, and end up becoming a full-scale ‘neighbours at war’ situation.
With good early communication and a bit of compromise, these situations can be avoided.
