Need advice about meth neighbors

My neighbors across the hallway are apparently making and using meth. There is the most horrible smell coming from their apartment. It permeates everything and my friend Cher and I are both staying sick because of it. Even putting rugs under my door and burning a vanilla candle isn't enough to block out the stench.

My eye dr had to call in meds for my eyes. They burn terribly. I'm going to need to use my nebulizer if it doesn't stop. My family Dr is going to prescribe another allergy med.I can't breathe well. I have chronic acute bronchitis and I can't afford to be sick all the time again.

A friend of mine who is a recovered addict can't even visit me now for fear of becoming addicted again. (She still has cravings.) She asked me if I'm having the munchies. I had no idea that the reason I have suddenly started eating everyting in sight, particularly chips, is due to the stench! I also didn't realize that is why I wake up with a hangover effect every morning.

I went down and talked with management. The manager can't do anything. The man's apt always passes inspections and they just can't walk in and demand entry to the apt without a 48 hr notice. She told me to call the police but that the police will come to my door first so he will know who called.

I thought about going over and telling him his "incense" is making Cher and me very ill and would he please calm it down. He and his friends are normally higher than a kite, so I'm not even sure he'll remember I talked to him, although he might.

I don't know what to do as I have no experience in this type of situation. I need you advice.

Thanks,

Jan

Can you tell dispatch to make sure that the police don't stop at your place first? That is what is done here in my area when I've had to call 911 in such circumstances, they ask if I want an officer contact or not.

I think the management can do something about this and doesn't want to. It would be in their best interest if they did investigate. In some places, owners of buildings that are used for meth labs can get into trouble with the law themselves also.

My suggestion is to call the police and talk things over, explain that you don't want public contact with the police in your building about this and why.

I also suggest not talking with the meth neighbors yourself, and if you do, please take friends with you.

Good luck, I've been in that situation and it is miserable. Hope it all gets taken care of soon.

Oh is there any anonymous reporting line in your area, where you can make a report anonymously?

(((Jan)))

Good roundup of info on meth in our neighborhoods: Meth FAQ

CALL THE POLICE !

Thats a tough situation.

If you've only talked to the building manager I would get in touch with the owner or someone higher up in the management company. The owner of the building would be in public records. I would think s/he would want to know whats going on in their building. As an apartment building owner myself, I know I would want to know.

Its awful the management isnt doing their job. Most residential leases have a provision that a tenant can be kicked out immediatly for doing anything illegal on the premises. These people are putting you and the other tenants in danger from explosions.

At least in Maryland if a building is used for the production of meth it has to be disclosed to any future buyers of the building. Thats why I think the owner would want to know. The laws might be the same where you live.

I think you should call the police or maybe go to the station and meet with the police about the neighbor. A tip line is also a good idea. I agree with Sarah that you probably shouldnt say anything to them.

Here's some info in regards to West Virgina laws.

West Virginia

Thank you, one and all. He fired the stuff back up this afternoon and I called the manager. She called the meth guy. He told her it's incense and that she could bring a policeman with her to check it out if she wanted. She said since he offered to let a policeman in, he obviously isn't doing anything illegal. Does that sound insane to you? It did to me.

He also told her it had to me that called and that it was a personal vendetta! He said the guy I dated for a couple weeks didn't like him so I had decided to get him in trouble. No way!!!!

I was then questioned as to if I was dating!

So, if I call the police now, the meth guy is going to know exactly who called. Come to think of it, I'm the only one with enough backbone in this circle of apts to do anything about any problem.

If I call the police and they bother him and find nothing, he can get a lawyer and sue me for harrassment. Doesn't that beat anything you've ever heard???

Jan

hi. How about getting the EPA in on this? Something is going on over there to make you so sick. They might have some suggestions..if nothing else. Good luck.

Oh! I forgot to tell you guys that last year a person on the 7th floor blew up her meth lab. They didn't even evacuate the building and no one came and told us what to do. Some of the older neighbors went out and cleaned the hall with their bare hands! I told them to never, ever touch anything! They repainted the apt, replaced everything and moved someone in there. Horrible.

Jan

Call the narcotics department anonymously. Tell them that you see heavy drug activity. NARC's usually thrive on this type of thing. The larger and more notorious the best, the better for them, understand

I wish you luck with this sweet Jan. I miss you 2


Love,

JEn

Aargh, your manager is silly. I've had managers like that, one turned out to be even dealing drugs himself while trying to give me a bad time when I spoke out about drug dealing in the complex.

Police usually ask that we call them and let them figure out if something is illegal. Can the meth guy really sue you for calling the police?

Any sort of dispute mediation service in your area?

So sorry you are going through this, I know from experience how much it sucks. Last thing we need, to be put in danger and then accused of being the problem, while the true problem isn't even dealt with.

id make an anonymous call, Jan. just call and be like "i know where a meth lab is, *give the address* and the smell is horrid." see what they say.

Anonymous call is a good idea. People may then assume you are behind the call, but it could have been a rival that called or a disgruntled customer. Or someone else who suspects meth cooking there.

You know, if others try to frame this as your problem, as you supposedly getting revenge or being too nosy or harassing, you can turn the tables on them.

You can frame the issues. "I am concerned about the safety and health of our community and I am willing to stand up for this. There are strong noxious fumes coming from that apartment. If it is really just incense, now we know, and we can talk about reduction in the use because it is negatively affecting neighbors. If it is meth cooking going on, we really need to know and we need help in cleaning it up. As a community member, I care about our safety."

People involved with meth will tend to lie and be paranoid. Saying "Go ahead, bring the cops here, nothing is going on." is of course no guarantee that they are honest. I've heard many a dealer say that.

Just think, if it was just incense, they could have said something like......."Oh god, I am so sorry, I didn't realize the incense smoke was so strong. I'll burn less, let me know anytime if it gets to be too much again. Sorry about that."

Once someone lets the police know of possible meth cooking, it is up to the police whether they act on the info or not. The ball is then in their court. You have the right to let the police know of your concerns, anytime.

Jan, you must call the police. You can deny that it was you who called. Just call the police and explain about the smell.

Jan, the fumes from meth making can be dangerous to inhale, honey. You can't keep inhaling this, if that's what it is. I've read about it many times. Shoot when they find one in our area they evacuate the entire area until it's cleaned up due to the potential for explosion and the dangerous fumes.

I don't think you have any other choice but to call the police. You can do it anonymously. Please hurry on this one, ok? If you do it while the fumes are in the hall, the police will know right away if it's meth.

If it's not meth then cool. Also, your neighbor would have to establish a PATTERN to sue for harassment...one call to management and one to police over the same issue in the same week wouldn't be considered harassment. I would bet good money on that.

Please let us know.

KD

if you happen to know anyone on the police force invite them over and let them know what is going on...otherwise call the narcotices division. all you have to do is simply tell them about strange smells coming from that apartment and let them know how you are feeling. Good luck hon

I know someone at church who is a fireman. I'll bet he has a friend who is a policeman who could just "saunter" over! What do you think?

I'm definately going to have to call or do something. The smell is overwhelming again. They are really cranking it up, (no pun intended), tonight.

Thanks to all of you. I appreciate your help so much.

Love and hugs,

Jan

(((((((((((jan))))))))))))

please do something now while the smell is so prominent. they might be able to tell from the hall and if they decide it's safe, do nothing?

gl and let us know.

love ya,

kd

jan, i worked in ER and inhaling meth fumes is really, really dangerous. have the policeman saunter over or call someone. meth smells like ether. it burns your eyes horribly and affects your breathing. if you're have breathing trouble anyway, this could really harm you. let us know!!!!! it all sounds like ******** to me. from the manager on down. the owner of the building could be in huge trouble here if someone is caught cooking in their property. sometimes the buildings are seized. this is Oklahoma.

I woke up very sick this morning. I am having trouble breathing. The manager made m promise to tell her if he does it again this weekend, so I will have to respect my word.

When Monday comes I will be free to call the police. Aargh.

Thank you for everything!

Hugs,

Jan

PS. Does anyone know if I breathe that stuff and go get a blood test if it will show up? I can have my Dr write an order for a test. That would fix it. You know I don't have illegal drugs in my house!

Jan, I was going to mention the fire hazard this is, in addition to your possible addiction, allergies etc. If they aren't safe neighbors, they aren't safe to be around, whether the police know or not, imo. You can always call anonymously. You can also capture the air in a container and have an allergist analyze it for you.

Is there a nuisance law in your state or city? It not only covers noise, but smells etc. Is there a community standards department you can call? I like the idea of calling the owner, as their insurance will be quite high with each explosion

Put damps rolled towels under the front door to help keep the fumes out... change your air filters often... but don't burn candles to help clear the air, you might just blow the roof off. Wow what a tough situation. Have you talked to any other neighbors, or noticed them suffering also?

I'm sorry you are sick - hope the situation resolves quickly. I really don't think you owe this building manager any loyalty what so ever. Call the police now. you are not obligated to do what this bldg mgr requests.. you have already informed him of the situation, what exactly does this person intend to do with another report of new smells coming out of the apartment in question ?? If he isn't in with them, he is afraid of them. Either way - not good for you and your health at all.

This is not a promise to keep - this person doesn't have your best interest in mind. Call the police and let them investigate.

Good luck

How is it all now, how are you doing with all this Jan? Hope everything has improved.

my lord, that stuff can explode! call 911 now!

I don't mean to be an alarmist with my first post, but do not live like that one more second.

There have been no smells coming from his apt. since Fri. when the manager called him. I don't know if he's laying low or what..... I'm confused!