I think my next door neighbor is a drug dealer

[Flatland2D]

I haven't posted here in a while but still carrying 24/7 when I legally can. I need to consult the advice of some like-minded people.

I suspect my next door neighbor is a drug dealer. He is an African-American guy that lives in a 700 square foot shack that he rents from another neighbor. He also keeps a pit bull tied up his backyard.

First a little background. My wife and I moved into our current house about 6 months ago. We live out in Granite Shoals which is on Lake LBJ and has houses from barely standing trailers to million dollar homes. It's what I would call a country neighborhood. A lot of the plots are half an acre to an acre. This is our first house since I graduated college last year and got a job. The house is everything we want, so we are not considering moving any time soon. We also have a one month baby boy that I want to grow up in a nice neighborhood. We are in an overall nice part except for a few houses like this one in question.

My main reason for suspecting my neighbor is a drug dealer is that he has people drive up, go inside his house for a minute or two, then leave. I know there's nothing illegal about that behavior, but I find it highly unusual. My gut feeling is telling me something isn't right. This can happen several times a day and I've noticed it for a while now. The guy is not real social, so I would discount these people being friends coming and going.

This morning there was a man parked on the road where my property meets my neighbor's. My wife and I took the trash out and I stared at him several times. After we went back inside he left. I'm thinking he was waiting for my neighbor to get home and got worried that I gave him so much attention. I've seen cars parked out there like that before. I would describe his visitors as trashy people. I know that's kind of a mean thing to say, but they look like druggies.

I've only had one close interaction with this neighbor. He asked me for a jump start one morning. I pulled my car over and helped him out. He wasn't willing to talk much as I asked him some questions. One thing I found strange was when I asked him if he worked in construction (I noticed some tools laying on his porch) and he said yes, but it was how he responded. He said it like he was agreeing with my suggestion that he works in construction, rather than honestly answering the question. He doesn't seem to keep any sort of schedule. Sometimes he's home, sometimes he's gone. He almost never will go outside when he's home except to and from his truck or to feed his dog.

One time I saw him outside and said, "How's it going?" He responded back incoherently. He walked over to his ex-girlfriend's car (who introduced herself one time, she still visits him frequently) and backed the car out a couple inches, shut it off, and went back inside. I've never been around drugs or addicts before but I know that isn't normal behavior. He was definitely trashed one way or another.

I really don't have any proof that the guy is a drug dealer, I'm just going off my intuition. I do however (very discretely) take pictures whenever I spot one of his visitors and try to get their face and license plate. I don't mind being a nosey neighbor when my family's safety could be at stake.

What should I do? I'm not going to approach the guy about it. If he really was a dealer that'd probably just make things worse that he knew I suspected him. I don't really want to talk to the neighbor he rents from because they might be in on it, too. They did have my wife, son and me over for dinner on the porch last week and they seem like alright people, but it'd probably be better they didn't know I suspected anything just in case. I really don't have enough proof to go to the police about this either. I haven't met any of the local cops yet, but the most I'd expect them to do would be to patrol our street once or twice a day. If my neighbor is a drug dealer, he's probably a low level dealer and maybe not worth the police's time to try and gather evidence on and bust. But obviously if the guy is a dealer I want him out of there. I don't want to raise my kid(s) next to a guy like that. The drug world always brings violence at some point. I would consider myself a little on the paranoid side, but I really think these are legitimate concerns. I've given a lot of thought to my neighbor's behavior and can't come up with plausible explanations other than drug dealer.

Any advice would be really appreciated. Especially any law enforcement out there that could tell me if it would be worthwhile reporting to the police. I would like to do this, just not sure they'd really do anything about it. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Excaliber]

I suggest making an appointment to speak with an investigator from your law enforcement agency's narcotics unit at that agency's offices. Bring your concerns, pictures, and notes on vehicle tags, etc.

You may be supplying a missing piece to a puzzle they're working on. You may be giving them reason to begin a new investigation. Or they may be able to set your mind at rest by providing information that you may not have about legitimate circumstances and activities at your neighbor's property.

[MoJo]

Put your mind at ease. If the guy is on the up and up you have nothing to worry about if he is a drug dealer you need him out of your neighborhood.

Good luck and be careful.

[Pinkycatcher]

Just hope he isn't cooking meth, that stuff is nasty, it stays in the house and in the air, can do bad things.

[Flatland2D]

I think I'll e-mail the lead investigator at the police department and give him the short version of the story and see if he wants to meet and talk about it. This is a small town and there are only seven cops (but hey, they have their own website!). Hopefully they are not too busy to at least look into this. When I lived in San Antonio, the cops didn't care about the little things.

[KBCraig]

I have a different opinion (big surprise, eh?)

Your anxiety about this neighbor seems to revolve around whether or not he's doing something illegal, and whether or not his visitors are doing something illegal. You don't seem to have any other problems with him: you didn't mention that he's loud or disruptive or violent. Drug dealers, for the most part, actively seek to avoid conduct that invites the attention of the constabulary. Drug users, and dealers who also sample the product, will eventually, inevitably, do something stupid to invite notice of the gendarmes.

If your neighbor isn't doing something that will automatically attract the police, why worry about it? And if he is, the police attention will correct the problem, so why sorry about it?

[Pinkycatcher]

I have a different opinion (big surprise, eh?)

Your anxiety about this neighbor seems to revolve around whether or not he's doing something illegal, and whether or not his visitors are doing something illegal. You don't seem to have any other problems with him: you didn't mention that he's loud or disruptive or violent. Drug dealers, for the most part, actively seek to avoid conduct that invites the attention of the constabulary. Drug users, and dealers who also sample the product, will eventually, inevitably, do something stupid to invite notice of the gendarmes.

If your neighbor isn't doing something that will automatically attract the police, why worry about it? And if he is, the police attention will correct the problem, so why sorry about it?

Because only 4-5% of all crimes are ever witnessed by cops, whereas 40-50% of all crimes are reported by citizens. Cops don't have a good track record of finding something without the help of the general populace.

[nuparadigm]

I have a different opinion (big surprise, eh?)

Your anxiety about this neighbor seems to revolve around whether or not he's doing something illegal, and whether or not his visitors are doing something illegal. You don't seem to have any other problems with him: you didn't mention that he's loud or disruptive or violent. Drug dealers, for the most part, actively seek to avoid conduct that invites the attention of the constabulary. Drug users, and dealers who also sample the product, will eventually, inevitably, do something stupid to invite notice of the gendarmes.

If your neighbor isn't doing something that will automatically attract the police, why worry about it? And if he is, the police attention will correct the problem, so why sorry about it?

Because only 4-5% of all crimes are ever witnessed by cops, whereas 40-50% of all crimes are reported by citizens. Cops don't have a good track record of finding something without the help of the general populace.

I think that where he was going is that: neither your neighbor nor his visitors have harmed you. What your neighbor is doing in his house may or may not be illegal. Since yours is a small-jurisdiction-law enforcement-area, the police are probably already on to him; if they're not, they probably soon will be.

[Liberty]

I have a different opinion (big surprise, eh?)

Your anxiety about this neighbor seems to revolve around whether or not he's doing something illegal, and whether or not his visitors are doing something illegal. You don't seem to have any other problems with him: you didn't mention that he's loud or disruptive or violent. Drug dealers, for the most part, actively seek to avoid conduct that invites the attention of the constabulary. Drug users, and dealers who also sample the product, will eventually, inevitably, do something stupid to invite notice of the gendarmes.

If your neighbor isn't doing something that will automatically attract the police, why worry about it? And if he is, the police attention will correct the problem, so why sorry about it?

I think your advice is good, but talking to the police and letting them know what is going on is also a good idea.

[Excaliber]

I'm all for live and let live - until something or someone poses a credible threat to me and mine.

Your anxiety about this neighbor seems to revolve around whether or not he's doing something illegal, and whether or not his visitors are doing something illegal. You don't seem to have any other problems with him: you didn't mention that he's loud or disruptive or violent. Drug dealers, for the most part, actively seek to avoid conduct that invites the attention of the constabulary. Drug users, and dealers who also sample the product, will eventually, inevitably, do something stupid to invite notice of the gendarmes.

If your neighbor isn't doing something that will automatically attract the police, why worry about it? And if he is, the police attention will correct the problem, so why sorry about it?

Flatland2D has seen activity and behavior patterns that are consistent with drug dealer behavior. There may be other less likely explanations, but his observations fall in line with what neighbors report seeing at locations which are later verified to be illegal drug manufacturing / sale locations.

Besides the general community concern, the reason for personal concern in this case is that the incident that "automatically" attracts the police may involve a crime committed at Flatland2D's property. Drug dealers attract drug buyers. Drug buyers become very familiar with the properties surrounding where they make their purchases. Drug buyers frequently find themselves short of funds and commit robberies or burglaries to obtain them, and favor areas they are familiar with for their crimes. Drug users, especially meth users, in many cases are impulsive and violent. If I saw circumstances similar to what Flatland2D has observed at a location in my neighborhood, you can bet your bottom dollar I'd be down at the PD pronto.

Just hope he isn't cooking meth, that stuff is nasty, it stays in the house and in the air, can do bad things.

The small shack in a rural area is also consistent with common meth lab siting. The chemicals used and produced in meth labs are highly toxic and explosive. Police raids on these locations are done in full Hazmat gear with toxic chemical experts standing by to assess the mess once the scene is secure.

Meth producers are also not known for disposing of these chemicals according to EPA standards. When they dump them into the ground, they make their way into the groundwater which feels rural drinking water wells. Meth is also a hyperstimulant that produces paranoia and severe mental aberrations in users who often go on to commit extremely violent crimes.

Are we beginning to see valid reasons for Flatland2D's concern yet?

Here's an article that provides more detail on activities and circumstances often found at meth lab locations. It may be of use in this case.

I think that where he was going is that: neither your neighbor nor his visitors have harmed you. What your neighbor is doing in his house may or may not be illegal. Since yours is a small-jurisdiction-law enforcement-area, the police are probably already on to him; if they're not, they probably soon will be.

Small police agencies usually do not have the manpower, expertise, or sophisticated intelligence resources of larger agencies. There is no reasonable basis for believing that such a department (or any department of any size) would become aware of an issue in a location such as the one described until either a citizen report or a major incident brings attention to the area. Flatland2D is more than justified in having major concerns for the safety of himself, his family, and his property. It would be an abrogation of responsibility to both family and community to fail to take action on the suspicions he has.

I think I'll e-mail the lead investigator at the police department and give him the short version of the story and see if he wants to meet and talk about it. This is a small town and there are only seven cops (but hey, they have their own website!). Hopefully they are not too busy to at least look into this. When I lived in San Antonio, the cops didn't care about the little things.

If you aren't met with a level of interest that you consider appropriate, consider having the same conversation with an investigator at the county sheriff's office. Their folks are usually much more up to speed on drug manufacturing and sale investigations, and they probably also are members of state and federal task forces with much better intelligence and manpower resources than a small local agency could ever hope to have. When given a hint in the right direction, they can often make a good case and take effective action pretty quickly when illegal activity is verified.

[Flatland2D]

I have a different opinion (big surprise, eh?)

Your anxiety about this neighbor seems to revolve around whether or not he's doing something illegal, and whether or not his visitors are doing something illegal. You don't seem to have any other problems with him: you didn't mention that he's loud or disruptive or violent. Drug dealers, for the most part, actively seek to avoid conduct that invites the attention of the constabulary. Drug users, and dealers who also sample the product, will eventually, inevitably, do something stupid to invite notice of the gendarmes.

If your neighbor isn't doing something that will automatically attract the police, why worry about it? And if he is, the police attention will correct the problem, so why sorry about it?

Although I agree I have no problems with the man himself, the simple fact is I don't want to live next to a drug dealer no matter how good we get along. I believe it will one day attract violence to my area. What if, a few years from now, my son comes in contact with the guy and he offers him something? Maybe a little far out, but I'm not comfortable with it. I think I have a right to live in an area with generally law abiding people. It's one of the reasons we moved where we did. My wife and I hated apartment living in San Antonio and wanted to move to a place where we wouldn't have to actively worry about our safety.

There was a previous time that first got me worrying. An old, beat up pickup truck was parked in front of my neighbor's driveway. There was a Mexican man in the driver's seat and a boney, blonde haired woman standing outside of the truck by the driver talking to him. They were looking at my house and pointing at things. They eventually drove off, but it spooked me out. This was before I ever thought my neighbor was a dealer. Excaliber's last post about impulsive robberies could explain that type of behavior.

Yeah, I'll definitely be going to the police about this. I did some searching and found out the next big town over, Marble Falls, has a narcotics team.

[WildBill]

I think I'll e-mail the lead investigator at the police department and give him the short version of the story and see if he wants to meet and talk about it. This is a small town and there are only seven cops (but hey, they have their own website!). Hopefully they are not too busy to at least look into this. When I lived in San Antonio, the cops didn't care about the little things.

If you really are concerned enough about your neighbor and want to contact the police, do it in person. Anyone can write an email in about 30 seconds [just like me] and it is more likely to be ignored. Drug investigations need to be confidential and you don't want your email forwarded to people who do not need to know. Small towns can be very gossipy, and you certainly don't want it traced back to you. Even if you weren't the one, you would be suspected by your neighbors.

I am also considering KBCraig's comments. My sister has been living in a small rural town for over ten years. She has told me about similar type activities with a couple of her neighbors. I suspect the police know, but it's small potatoes compared to the other drug and gang activity going on. A couple of relatives of these neighbors have been arrested for other activities. I wouldn't be surprised it that happens to your neighbor.

Another thing you could do is to go to the county recorder and find out who owns the house next door. If it is rented, the property owner might like to know what's going on in their property.

[Flatland2D]

I am also considering KBCraig's comments. My sister has been living in a small rural town for over ten years. She has told me about similar type activities with a couple of her neighbors. I suspect the police know, but it's small potatoes compared to the other drug and gang activity going on. A couple of relatives of these neighbors have been arrested for other activities. I wouldn't be surprised it that happens to your neighbor.

Another thing you could do is to go to the county recorder and find out who owns the house next door. If it is rented, the property owner might like to know what's going on in their property.

That would be the ideal situation I think. The guy gets arrested without any intervention from myself. Maybe during a deal with a higher level dealer. I think it's only a matter of time before he slips up in some way, but I don't want to take chances with exactly how long that could be and what might happen from now until then.

The other house next door to him, two houses from me, is who he rents from. I've met those people (see first post) but really don't want to go around talking this up with the wrong people.

[WildBill]

The other house next door to him, two houses from me, is who he rents from. I've met those people (see first post) but really don't want to go around talking this up with the wrong people.

Now that's pretty stupid. He could lose his property over this. I wonder if he gets his rent payment in $1 and $5 bills. I would keep my contact with both of them civil, and to a minimum. No more dinner on the porch.

I would also discretely keep a log of visitors, vehicles, photos, times, dates. It could tie them to another crime and help find missing property from a robbery or burglary.

[Excaliber]

Yeah, I'll definitely be going to the police about this. I did some searching and found out the next big town over, Marble Falls, has a narcotics team.

They may have a team, but they won't have jurisdiction so they won't be able to act in this case. Local, county, state, and federal agencies do have jurisdiction and can do something about your concerns.

You need to talk to your local PD and / or the sheriff's office.