What to do about our nasty neighbors? Who do I call...?

Question

Across the street from us lives a family that is in need of help. The parents are constantly screaming at eachother and at their two children and three dogs. The inside of their house is absolutely disgusting, I have been invited in a few times. And just recently the mother of this family has gone around the neighborhood telling everyone (myself included) that they have rats and mice in their home. She explained that she called an exterminator to have them rid of these rodents but they refused to do it until she cleaned up her house. The exterminator blamed her for the infestation because her house is so filthy. This is what she claims. Well it's been about two weeks and they still haven't done anything and just the other night I spotted a rat the size of a large cat racing across the road towards our garbage can. Now not only is this a living hazard for the two children in the house (ages 13 and 7+-) but it's becoming a hazard to the entire neighborhood. What to do?

Answer 1

You could contact Social services

Answer 2

Call your local police department, explain the situation to them, and have them do a "check the welfare." This will get the documentation started and put it in the hands of an agency that is equipped and trained with evaluating certain situations. From there, they can decide if someone else needs to be called in, or perhaps fine the family to get their property cleaned up. Other options (either the police will pursue these or you may have to down the road) are of course child protective services...but most importantly is your local health department or department of health and environmental services. It's a BIG health issue to have a place that filthy and rodent-infected. Do something about this for sure. I still think a best first step is to get the law involved so they can assess the situation and go from there.
Good luck!

Answer 3

I'd get Child Protective Services involved. Those poor kids do not need to live in a place like that, especially with parents who sound unfit. See if someone at your local health department can help also. If the rats are as bad as you say, then that is something they may be able to you with or at least point you in the right direction.

Answer 4

Call Child Protective Services.

Answer 5

Call Social Services/Health Department/Child Protection Services and it might be rude... but i'd get together w/ some other neighbors and go over there... (don't get too close to the house) but tell them how you feel. Just a thought.

Answer 6

I would get someone involved like the city and child services. Children should not have to live in a filthy place. I agree something needs to be done.

Answer 7

Call CPS! Child Protection Services, will come out and look at the home. If they find the home unfit, the children could be removed from the home. You do not have to give your name to the agency, so there is no fear of backlash. This country needs more neighbors like you!

Answer 8

Call HRS, social services, children and families, Health Dept. Code Enforcement

Answer 9

It sounds like the family has some mental problems. The kids need to be taken care of first. Perhaps they do not know how or are not able to take care of the house themselves. My advise:
Social services needs to make sure the kids are safe.
Do they own or rent? contact the landlord or City code enforcement
Health department

Answer 10

if it was me i would first look after the kids and call cps and try and get them into a home that is well managed and as far as the parents go i would report them to an agency and have that house condemed if enough people will sign get a petion started and take it to the proper officials in ur town.

Answer 11

call the health department and/or Division of Childcare Services. If you only call the health department, they'll call DCS. They'll have to clean up, and take care of the kids, or the house will be condemned, and the children taken into state custody.