A neighbor has announced she will cut my cable line. Illegal?

Question

Comcast cable installed a cable connection when I moved in 6 mohths ago. The cable is above ground. The owner of the house next door came by, and said that since the cable cord was running through her hedges, it had to be buried. I said fine, but she called the cable company right away and the rep said it would be buried by Friday. She used this information as a deadline, said if the cable is not buried by Friday she or her husband will cut the cable. My call to the cable rep said it would take at least 10 days. Cable can't be buried by Friday since area has to be examined for possible other buried utilities. She wrote out everything in a letter and signed it and gave it to me including the date she plans to cut the cable. If she does, is it illegal? If so, what is the crime or misdemeanor? If it is illegal, it it an act against the cable co. or me or both? What legal recourse do I have. The cable co. doesn't seem to care. If it's a crime against me, what action can I t

Answer 1

Illegal, report her to the police.

Answer 2

That's a tough one to call. It sounds like vandalism, but if it's crossing the neighbor's property it might be more difficult to press charges, especially if they cut it on their side. You should call your local police department and ask. Unfortunately, no matter what the law says, it doesn't change the fact that your neighbors are jerks. Whatever you do, don't stoop to their level. That would only make it worse, so stick to the moral high ground.

By the way, have you explained all of this to the cable company? Maybe they can put a rush on it if it will save them the trouble of puting in a new cable. I don't think you should have to pay for the new cable if the neighbors cut it, so put some pressure on Comcast.

Answer 3

I am dealing with this problem as we speak. My cable is within an easement and hanging on my fence but on her side. She has her own fence so it is clear that this is not a shared fence and the cable is actually inside my property between the two fences. She recently had some lights stapled to our fence without our permission and we tried to ask her to remove them but she won't take our calls or answer the door. We finally had them removed. We assume that cutting our cable is her way of retaliating. The cable company is coming out tomorrow to inspect the damage and most probably confirm that the line was in fact cut. What happens next I don't know.

Answer 4

You are paying for a service from the cable company. It is their property not yours. If she cuts the cable, (which i doubt that she would), she will be liable for her malicious actions and it will be between her and the company.
The company is the one at fault. They did a poor job installing your cable. Not your fault. You did nothing wrong.
She may get into some serious trouble for destroying private property though. And...you will be without cable service.
I would let the cable company and her fight it out. Give her the number to the cable company, tell her you dont know why they did such a poor job installing the cable, but now that you are aware of it you are attempting to address the problem. ( Nice way of saying that the world does not revolve on her schedule.)
The cable company has to deal with this...you have no means to 'make' them do anything.

Answer 5

Excellent. She put it all in writing for you. What an idiot! That is the property of the cable company. You should drive down and give them a COPY of the letter she wrote and give the police another COPY. You keep the original. She is a psycho. Or just let her do it and then watch her go to jail. But, I guess you could get in trouble too if you knew what she was planning. Look out for yourself and tell the cable company and the police. Good Luck.

Answer 6

I'd guess that if they cut the line, nothing much will happen, except you'll lose cable for a few days. It IS their property, and making a big deal out of this isn't worth the energy. If it's cut, live without cable for a few days. Someday, the neighbor will want your cooperation, and at that time, you can return their consideration, but not being cooperative. Or, just forget about the whole thing. Life's too short to sweat small stuff.

Answer 7

Tell her to show you the proof that she in fact did talk to the representative and the Friday deadline has been set. If she won't be able to prove that, tell her that you do not believe her statement and will rather rely on the at least 10 days estimation that the rep gave to you. If she wants to cut the cable, let her do it. Then demand Comcast for the reimbursement of the lost services. If they refuse, name Comcast AND the neighbor in a small claims court lawsuit. It is a win/win for you situation.

Answer 8

She sounds like a crazy whack-job. Keep an eye on her and don't let your pets or children get too close. She could lash out at any moment with the slightest provocation. Her actions against your cable cord would violate the cable company - not you. They would charge her for repairs and go after her in court. Damage to property and all that stuff.

Be wary of this person...

Answer 9

I would keep the letter, leave it alone unless you really have to take action. I am sure the cable company will repair it. Since you HAVE to live next to her kill her with kindness, be the better of the 2 and don't feed the fuel on this problem. Just tell her kindly you are doing everything you can and if she could be so kind to wait until the cable company arrives. Just remember you have to live next to her.

Answer 10

It is illegal and the cable company will deal with her,
Let her cut the cable line and watch Comcast bill her for the reinstallation of a new line.
Sounds like your neighbor is an idiot.

Answer 11

Call the cable company and report what she is trying to do. It cost a lot of money just to fix those wires and then with piracy going on! No get her before she does you. The cable guys wont take this sitting down...