We had an incident in our neighborhood where someone was physically evicted from their rental. A neighbor saw the stuff on the curb and decided to loot it. Then he called another neighbor (who was having our daughter spend the night) to come out after dark and see if there was anything her or her kids would like. The neighbor took her three kids and my daughter out to the curb at night to rummage through somebody’s belongings.
My husband drove by during this and called me immediately to ask if I knew anything about it. We were both shocked that these people would do something like this and even more shocked that they would take our kid out there with them!
We talked to our daughter about it and she understands that it was morally wrong. She then wanted to take the stuff back that she took.
How can I explain my feelings about this to my neighbors/friends without looking like a snob or hurting their feeling?
2006-08-12 17:40:28 · 10 answers · asked by soblue2day 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
My daughter is 9. I wouldn't expect her to talk to adults about this. It is my responsibility to either talk to them about it or right them off as friends and never let my kids hang out with their kids again. (That's not such an easy thing to do in this community) I would rather talk it out with them so they know where I'm coming from. I just don't want them to be so hurt that they stop talking to us.
2006-08-12 17:51:20 · update #1
I checked the law in our community... legally, they didn't do anything wrong. There is no law around here that requires the landlord to put the stuff in storage. It is to be left on the curb and becomes subject to the elements as well as people rummaging through it. The landlord did what they were legally obligated to do. The neighbors saw it as free stuff so they took it.
2006-08-12 17:59:32 · update #2
The people must have known that they were going to be evicted. It takes weeks if not months for it to get to the point of having the sherrif come out and physically take the stuff out of the rental. However, among the stuff my daughter saw were check books and credit cards. If the stuff were abandoned in the rental, you would think the people would have made sure those things were not left behind.
2006-08-12 18:04:20 · update #3
Don't worry about hurting their feelings. They were not worried about your feelings when they decided to have your child join them in stealing. It was legal what they did, as when the stuff was set out it did not really belong to anyone, but as neighbors, everyone knew who the stuff belonged to. The child is yours, so don't worry about their thoughts. Maybe you will teach them to respect other people's property
2006-08-12 17:46:27 · answer #1 · answered by {Lisa} 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would you believe what they did was 100% LEAGAL?
Once a resident has been evicted from any property, BY LAW the landlord as the right to remove any all belongings from the said evicties former residence.
When a landlord removes the belongings, and out them out on the curp of the street; which is a public evesment; if they choose to.... the public then has full right to any and all property that may be left there.
Also, when the landlord removes said property from the said domacile... quite simply, they don't have to respect any of it... If they have a family ehrloom and the landlord dumps the property and the said erhloom is damaged or ruined... The evicted persons do not have rights to sue the landlord.
So in other words, peoples.... Pay your rent on time or your niehgboors will be treated to an all-you-can-take garage sale... except you ain't paying for anything.
2006-08-13 01:17:15 · answer #2 · answered by K0HLP 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to play devil's advocate here... Yes, it was wrong of them to drag your daughter out at night (depending on how old she is)... however, once stuff is on the curb, it's fair game. I just moved, though not from eviction, and I put a LOT of stuff at the curb, that I would have rather found a new home for. Plenty of random people came by and chatted and took things. It's kind of odd, but encouraged it, pointing out some things that were perfectly serviceable, but that I couldn't take with me.
Anyway, the alternative is for it to be hauled to the dump where it just takes up space in a land fill. Considering environmental impact of the alternative, I'd much rather see things get used if possible! Yes, it WAS someone's stuff, but it's legally "fair game" since it's being disposed of.
If they knew they were having to get out, they should have had a garage sale... but I did that, and there's just some things that people don't buy at garage sales, but they'll take for free.
If the eviction was a surprise, that's sad... but the point remains valid. There's nothing morally wrong with sifting through junk that would otherwise wind up in a land fill. It's just being thrifty. :)
2006-08-13 00:59:15 · answer #3 · answered by Falcon_01 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't feel sorry for the people that got evicted one bit. People get evicted and have more than enough time to get their stuff out before they get it thrown to the curb. It's heartbreaking, but unnecessary. I've assisted in physical evictions where people have even won the lottery and wasted it on junk. They usually end up owing several thousand dollars to the landlord that never get their money. The rental is usually trashed as well and this takes away money from getting service requests done and from other needed improvements. These people getting evicted are stealing money from you by not paying their rent, and if you want to sympathize with them, I appreciate your moral grounds. Again these people had no problem not paying their rent and stealing with you.
2006-08-13 17:08:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, there are a lot of things wrong with this picture. First of all, it's not right for the tenant to just dump the stuff out on the street. They are responsible for things left in a house and they should have packed everything up and put it in storage. Second, people are stealing so you could call the police. I don't think you have to explain anything to your neighbors.
2006-08-13 00:50:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is one that I would let go and let God or some other higher power deal with it.
You explained to your child this was wrong and she wanted to return the things but you can actually take this a step further if you know the people offer to hold onto whatever you can until they can pick it up and if you wanted you could tell your neighbor that they will be coming by to pick up their things that they are holding for them. Sometimes that is all they need to hear to turn around and do the right thing.
2006-08-13 00:49:21 · answer #6 · answered by CAT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to talk to them and tell them how you feel. And it is appreciated if the next time (if there is a next time) your daughter stay the night that they don't do things like that without them calling you first.
2006-08-13 02:56:23 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact local law enforcement.
2006-08-13 00:45:56 · answer #8 · answered by ceprn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats a good question but i have a ood one too, how old is your daughter? If she is old enough she should talk to them herself
2006-08-13 00:45:31 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jsut say,
I cant beliefe you gaffed theri stuff.
See what they say and go from there.
2006-08-13 00:46:17 · answer #10 · answered by billyandgaby 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋