Expert: Jack Toomey - 12/29/2007

Question
Hello.  I moved into a new home just over a month ago and am living by myself for the first time.  During my first week, I was leaving my 60-watt porch light on all night long to feel more secure.  During my second week I found that someone had unscrewed the bulb of the porch light.  I screwed it back in and left it on.  The next night at about 7:30 pm a teenage neighbor showed up at my door in his pajamas stating that my porch light was interrupting his sleep.  Since then I turn off the light when I go to bed (no later than 9 pm each night).  
It may just be a coincedence, but the following week, someone placed dog excrement between my screen door and storm door.
I often find the teenager or his parents glaring at me from their porch door whenever I go out back.  
Most recently, I believe the neighbors have been standing at the back door using a dog whistle to taunt my dog.  It also seems to make my neighbor's dog howl and get very upset.
I feel pretty confident that the boy unscrewed the light bulb during that second week and is the only candidate to have been the person who placed the dog excrement on my door step.
I know this seems trivial, but only having been in the home for a month, I am concerned about escallating harassment.  I am particularly worried since I feel that I have complied with their request.  I would appreciate any advice that you could give.
Thank you!

Answer
Kelly,

   I think that your instincts are good and that you most likely correct.  The light bulbs are not being unscrewed by themselves neither is the dog stuff appearing by magic and with the conincidence of the boy at your door, etc it all adds up to a logical conclusion.  However you haven't mentioned the next step and that is calling the police.  Do so at your earliest conveinience since all of this surely amounts to some kind of crime in your juristiction.  Let the police sort it out and do what they are paid to do.