Crazy Neighbor From Hell What Can I Do? He Won’t Leave Us Alone

My Neighbor Won’t Stop Harassing Us – What Can I Do?

I’ve been dealing with this nightmare neighbor for years, and I’m at my wit’s end. He lives two doors down and is taking care of the empty house next to us (it’s been vacant for two years). This guy has a sketchy past—been to jail, on probation, no license but still drives, and is overall a 62yo junkie with nothing to lose, who hates those who have something to lose, unless they give him the approval or respect he’s seeking. I’m not about to kiss his a**… he’s well-known in the neighborhood and nobody likes him so I could have many testimonies. He used to pop illegal fireworks late at night. He used to egg houses. He broke someone’s windshield and much more.

It started a few years ago with him watering our cars (yes, watering them) and throwing dirt and rocks at our house. That’s when we put up cameras. He stopped after we called the cops back then, but now he’s at it again, doing different stuff:

Flipping off our cameras regularly (whatever, not a big deal). -Pulling out a knife on camera. -Making shooting gestures at the camera while making gun sounds. -Staring us down and waiting for us to engage with him while we’re outside (we don’t).

I wish I could tell you what is wrong with him or what we have done… The whole neighborhood hates this guy, even his own father. Don’t want to call the cops unless I have to because he tends to stop for a bit when they show up, but then he starts up again later, then again idk if I should. Is this enough to get a restraining order or contact law enforcement again?

(I have photos and videos of what I’m claiming just cannot post here. I had AI help condense my whole rant and make it more easy to read, but sums it up pretty good)

Location: California