Wow, what fiasco! I'm more on the peace end of things. I would find out what language they are speaking and have someone translate yesterdays intentions for you. You do have to live near these people, a peaceful resolution would be worth my time, even if it didn't work. I work with a lot of people who come from a lot of places. Being a boss, when intentions get lost in translation, I always find someone who can try to translate and resolve the issues and it usually helps. unfortunalty, some of these people have been raised to think all white americans are racist and sometimes it takes a whole bunch of work to get rid of this sterotype, but to see 40 people from 10 different parts of the world working in harmony is worth the effort. Good luck with your neighbors either way. I hope you can find some peace in your home.

I think I would move. I don’t say that lightly. I know you shouldn’t have to leave your home because of someone else’s actions – and certainly you don’t have to. But it sounds to me as though you have not enjoyed living where you live for some time now. I would not want to live that way. I would try to find a place I could enjoy.

Oh thank you both, Shannon and UglyHat! It's my fault if I've given the impression that I'm not happy here--MOST OF THE TIME I LOVE IT! My house is a real wonder, and I have met lots of people I really like. But it does shake me up when people do physical things, like take my camera, or wedge themselves in my back door and scream (and the woman last night certainly did speak English--but not a NICE English!). These are the exceptions. I have considered moving during the bad times, but my experiences have actually shown me that relations can improve if both "sides" are willing to work. Physical aggression, however, leaves me in a kind of limbo--wanting to stay, knowing how nice it can be, and yet, vaguely fearful... But thanks to you both for listening and trying to help!

Good fences make good neighbors. Maybe a nice stockade one :o)

I would say good fences make good neighbors, but it sounds like she walked around the fence and into your yard... unfortunately, you can't guarantee they won't trespass again. But in a city, you would have a locked gate to your backyard. Maybe this is the solution?

Thanks to you, too, Cheryl and Mary! As far as access, this woman and her male companion came right up into my yard; she opened the screen door on my back porch (enclosed by walls on three sides), and wedged herself in between the inner and outer doors, so that I couldn't close either door once I answered the banging. The police arrived to find her like that, on my porch, holding my door open. I just went back to the police station to try to ensure that there is some sort of follow-up. They said they will try to get me a report in the next few days. I certainly plan to go to Court to guarantee they stop their illegal aggression! Thanks again!

sorry, let me clarify here, I was mearly commenting on the first party, where the disagreement/misunderstanding orginated. I fully agree that not only was trespassing not nessacary, but also that by holding your door open and screaming profanities is just plain insanity. but, typically second parties tend to over react only hearing half the story, and only half of that story being true most of the time. I am sorry that you're experiancing all this, I wish I could be of more help. You seem like a very peaceful person. I hope it all works out so that you can live that way.

Thanks again, Shannon. I never give up, and I AM willing to negotiate--ask my students!--but not about trespassing and screaming...

Get a dog. As they offer the best protection against unwanted visitors or neighbors. And of course, call the police asap, in case they decide to retaliate or remain on your property. You'd be surprised how fast they leave, especially if you have a big dog like a German Shepherd or a Great Dane. Don't let those neighbors of yours continue to make a nucuence of themselves!

Thanks Sheryl. A dog is definitely a possibility. I've never had one--only very large cats--but I'll think about that smart advice!

restraining order?

Julie--I asked about that at the police station today. I've never done anything like that before--I've never needed to. But I really don't like people coming onto my porch, preventing me from closing my door, and screaming at me. So it's a good idea! And thanks for your advice.

David,
If you do not want a particular person to enter upon your property, you simply have to send them a registered letter telling them that they should not come onto your property or they will be considered a trespasser in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws c. 266 s. 120. You should mail it to them certified mail return receipt requested. When you receive the receipt, bring a copy of the letter and the receipt to the police station.
As for a restraining order, you are not eligible for a restraining order pursuant to M.G.L. c. 209A as you are not in one of the relationships listed in the statute and you need three incidents or events before you can seek a harassment prevention order in accordance with G.L. c. 258E.
I hope this information is helpful to you.

Chief Tom OLoughlin

Thank you, Chief. My concern is that I don't know the name of the woman or man who came onto my porch and opened my door and screamed at me, and wouldn't let me close my door or leave when I asked. I assume that, as she was still on the porch holding onto my door when the police arrived, they have taken her name, and when they tell me who she is I will happily follow up with a letter, as you suggest. Thank you.

Pit bulls make ur unwanted neighbors stay away

ALL- I AM THE NEIGHBOR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE. ALLOW ME TO SHARE THE TRUE FACTS:
1) This individual is not my neighbor. His home does not touch my yard. Therefore, he has to go out of his way into the neighbors driveway to be able to get to our fence and see our yard, and scare my elder parents who are on their own property and cannot understand what he is screaming about. He scares the heck out of them while they stand on land that they own and pay taxes on. You sir, are trespassing in your neighbors yard.

2)The truth is that yes, the dogs were barking. THEY WERE BARKING AT YOU as you were leaning over the fence.A dog should bark at an intruder. That's what they do.

3) Why do you keep tresspassing to the neighbors yard and stare into our yard? My parents are fearful that a strange man is watching them and yelling at them in a language they dont understand. How would you feel if the situation was reversed?

4) The "young girl" you reference was alone and weighs less than 105 pounds soaking wet. She was fed up with seeing her parents upset (and her mom cry) because of the strange man who peeks over the fence while she is in her own yard. She has told you before, if you have any concerns to come to the house and speak to one of the children who can actually communicate with you. We have never had any issue ever with our neighbors ever...until now.
5) Since when is rescuing two wild turkeys from certain death and raising them a crime.

Thats why you never form an opinion before you hear both sides of the story. Very interesting.

Oh Dear,
I have never yelled at this old couple, and I have never leaned over into their yard, and in the past, when my neighbors have complained about their wild (and LOUD, and ILLEGAL ) turkeys, this sweet old couple screamed names at me. Names which the very nice, Portuguese-fluent woman at Town Hall interpreted as insults. As to whether or not these people pay their taxes, I have no idea. I have EXCELLENT relations with my neighbors on either side of my house, and I have NEVER trespassed on this 105-pound woman's property in my life. But this 105-pound woman and her somewhat heavier male companion did indeed trespass on my property, OPENING MY BACK DOOR, screaming obscenities, in the middle of which they were interrupted by the Milford police. As the police report and recorded telephone call will confirm. Soaking wet, and arrested, is very much what you will be the next time you break the law in the way that you did last Sunday. Ray Fellows, do you have some fact to add?

And stop lying--you were not present but believed your lying parents when they told you whatever they told you about me. My garden is kitty-corner to your yard, and provides an extensive view of that space, where you have tried to raise wild turkeys ILLEGALLY in a residential neighborhood. I don't care where you came from or whether or not you are here legally, but you have continued to violate town ordinances, and you will not be allowed to continue to violate the rights of other Milford citizens (who by the way, have paid their taxes for decades, do not weigh considerably more than yourself, and do not trespass on the property of, nor slander, their neighbors. Thug.).

And by the way, Miss Lopes, the fact that you weigh 105 pounds does NOT, UNDER AMERICAN LAW, entitle you to break the law. Read up, and consider your actions in future.

Respectfully, this is not a personal situation for me as the Chief of Police or the police officers who may respond to your calls for services, as property owners YOU decide who can enter in and upon your property, thus it is YOUR resposiblity to exercise your property interest and notify people you don't want to enter in and upon your property. After you do so the police have the legal authority to exercise statutory authority to protect your property interest against "trespassers" in accordance with the law. So, given your blogs, it is evidently obvious that neither of you are interested in interacting with one another at this time so I would suggest that you take the time to protect your property interest and serve each other with a "No Trespass" notice and then, respectfully abide by each of your legal property interest so the police do not have to be involved. Chief Tom OLoughlin

Yes, Chief O'Loughlin, I have done exactly what you suggested. The police did witness my repeated requests that Miss Lopes and her friend leave my property (I have never been on her property in my life). Thank you again.