Neighbors smoking pot - call the cops?

[nyaonyaokat]

I just realized the OP lives in New York City. Yeah, if you don't know your neighbors already then I wouldn't talk to them about it personally. I'd go to your landlord and if he still won't do anything about it then maybe mention to him the legal ramifications of him not taking care of the problem.

 

[Amsan]

I have a friend on the force, I will ask him what can be done about it legally and if it differs based on the state you're in. I know it also depends on the officer as well, as there are some around this area that will let you get away with more than others. But having to be subjected to illegal drugs let alone being pregnant is not okay.

 

[JessyG]

I have a similar problem but luckily for me i guess is that the smell only seems to be in our small hall way. I have had to open all windows even when its cold cause strong smells just make me feel sick. I even bought a little air purifier in case it comes back!

Personally i think its ridiculous that the police wont do anything. Its an illegal drug and they are affecting other peoples health.

I have been tempted to call them too however i dont actually know who it is (there are a few questionable people in my stair!)

 

[Amsan]

Here in IL, even smell is considered "plain sight" giving officers the right to search. They don't take illegal substances too lightly around here at all. It couldn't hurt to call your local department and ask them their policies surrounding it. Its better than just "putting up with it". I know I for one wouldn't stand for it being pregnant and having my children in the apartment as well. You shouldn't have to suffer because of someone else's decisions, and you shouldn't have to move for something to be done about it!

 

[beagleowner]

Personally i think its ridiculous that the police wont do anything. Its an illegal drug and they are affecting other peoples health.

Well, I both agree and disagree. I can't figure out why smoking cigarettes is okay in public (even outside) because I have asthma and really get affected by smelling this.

But at the same time, I don't want police going around arresting people for pot. It is a huge use of resources and I don't think personally that pot should be illegal although I don't touch it myself and neither does my husband. But yeah, I don't think it should be legal to use if you are affecting others. Same with tobacco.

 

[HappyBump25]

While, I wouldn't be put out if pot were legalized, I don't think it should be an inconvenience to anyone else. YOU shouldn't have to smell it as well.

And I'm really not sure why so many people are telling you nothing can be done. In the US, smelling it absolutely gives the officer a right to investigate further. The only difference state to state would possibly be the amount of pot it would take for charges to be filed, or if that person has a medical marijuana card (not sure if it's legal in NY). Now, whether that officer is lazy and chooses not to invoke this right is an entirely different story.

 

[JessyG]

Tobacco winds me up too. My oh smokes and i hate it. Thankfully he only does it at work so i am not around it but i totally agree.

I was in a bus shelter the other day when a guy came in and lit up. I moaned at him since it is illegal to do that here. I had to go and stand outside in the rain cause he was being a complete tool and refused to go outside.

Sorry for the rant it just gets me so annoyed.

 

[Amsan]

Tobacco winds me up too. My oh smokes and i hate it. Thankfully he only does it at work so i am not around it but i totally agree.

I was in a bus shelter the other day when a guy came in and lit up. I moaned at him since it is illegal to do that here. I had to go and stand outside in the rain cause he was being a complete tool and refused to go outside.

Sorry for the rant it just gets me so annoyed.

I was a smoker before getting pregnant and I didn't even smoke around non-smokers. Second hand is just as bad as smoking it yourself!

 

[sheldonsmommy]

Double post

 

[nyaonyaokat]

In the US and Canada, they can search if they smell or suspect anything illegal. It's pretty subjective. But they likely won't search unless they think there's a lot of pot in there, because it's a lot of paperwork involved.

I'm thinking it's different for different States then. Where I've lived in the US the cops can't even legally search based on a smell or an anonymous tip or anything... unless there is another primary cause for the search.

I had neighbors in college that were selling what turned out to be heroin and my roomate called the cops on them. They explained that that couldn't do anything unless the cop caught them in the act or there was some sort of violent event, etc. because they can't search based on hearsay. Luckily they had an unmarked police car patrol around the apartment complex for a while and caught them doing a deal in the parking lot.

I definitely don't know about the individual laws. But as for the cop being able to smell it (not for the hearsay evidence), it may be legal to search the residence, but it doesn't mean he/she is going to. Likely they would just find some high dude sitting on his couch watching a chick flick and eating chips. So it's not worth it.

But, TMonster, maybe if you called the police station (not 911) and asked them to talk to your neighbours for you, they could give them a good scare?

But I would assume those accused could make a pretty good case that the cop was acting on hearsay. It might be a technicality, but I can't imagine someone from the NYPD going through the all the trouble for a pot arrest. Especially since they'd only get a slap on the wrist (unless they found an inordinate amount of it in the house which is incredibly unlikely).

Odds are the people next door don't know that it's coming into their neighbors house or that she's pregnant. I've known a lot of people who smoked weed in my day and if someone had told them it was bothering them they would have apologized and done it more discreetly. Kinda lame that the landlord won't do his job and tell them to knock it off.

 

[chulie]

I guess first you need to figure out where it's coming from...then I would write a really polite note and just slip it under their door...(no need to sterotype that just because they smoke pot they're somehow not nice people) and just say something like "I'm not against your choice to smoke pot....and I'm really sorry to be such a pain about it but I can smell it coming through my vents and it's actually making me very ill.....If you could please smoke outside/open windows I'd really appreciate it... you probably didn't realize we could all smell it but now that you know I hope you'll do something about it." ????? Maybe it's the Canadian in me....we're ALL about writing letters! lmao!!!

 

[ClipMyWings]

My dad is a Sgt in NYC and from speaking to him about stuff like this in the past, they most likely won't send someone out for something so small due to the paperwork involved. I'm pretty sure that they're making (or it's in legislation currently) to make small amounts of weed legal to carry/possess in NYC due to the money/time/resources it ties up having someone get locked up over this stuff.

I work in Medical Research and there's actually nothing harming from second hand marijuana smoke, it's nothing like cigarette smoke which is potentially harmful. I'd just get some Febreeze handy to get it out of the air.

 

[JessyG]

Tobacco winds me up too. My oh smokes and i hate it. Thankfully he only does it at work so i am not around it but i totally agree.

I was in a bus shelter the other day when a guy came in and lit up. I moaned at him since it is illegal to do that here. I had to go and stand outside in the rain cause he was being a complete tool and refused to go outside.

Sorry for the rant it just gets me so annoyed.

I was a smoker before getting pregnant and I didn't even smoke around non-smokers. Second hand is just as bad as smoking it yourself!

Yeah thankfully my oh is a very considerate smoker too.

 

[laila 44]

Where I'm from unless your neighbours are under age and caught right handed, usually the cops will laugh it off and ignore.

 

[exoticsiren]

Id talk to them first..then if it doesnt work call the cops!

 

[surprisedmama]

I would highly caution against talking to suspected drug users. Especially if you were planning on calling the police if they didn't comply with the request. Nothing like calling yourself out. I'm not saying every drug user (especially pot) is violent, but you have no way of knowing if these people deal on the side or will become violent if threatened.

I'd try and remain anonymous as possible.

 

[beagleowner]

While, I wouldn't be put out if pot were legalized, I don't think it should be an inconvenience to anyone else. YOU shouldn't have to smell it as well.

And I'm really not sure why so many people are telling you nothing can be done. In the US, smelling it absolutely gives the officer a right to investigate further. The only difference state to state would possibly be the amount of pot it would take for charges to be filed, or if that person has a medical marijuana card (not sure if it's legal in NY). Now, whether that officer is lazy and chooses not to invoke this right is an entirely different story.

Agree with your first paragraph but not your second. It does indeed differ state by state and in fact in some states, I know in Colorado before they legalized it and in Oregon I think as well, a cop can no longer pursue someone just on the basis of suspicion of using or possessing pot. However if they were to find it in the course of arresting someone or something, like a traffic stop, then of course they will ticket you for it. And as everyone probably knows, it is now legal to use it recreationally in Colorado and in Washington as well. New York does not have medical marijuana according to Google, but it just illustrates that laws differ by states.

 

[beagleowner]

I guess first you need to figure out where it's coming from...then I would write a really polite note and just slip it under their door...(no need to sterotype that just because they smoke pot they're somehow not nice people) and just say something like "I'm not against your choice to smoke pot....and I'm really sorry to be such a pain about it but I can smell it coming through my vents and it's actually making me very ill.....If you could please smoke outside/open windows I'd really appreciate it... you probably didn't realize we could all smell it but now that you know I hope you'll do something about it." ????? Maybe it's the Canadian in me....we're ALL about writing letters! lmao!!!

Yes and definitely add that you are pregnant!!

 

[HappyBump25]

While, I wouldn't be put out if pot were legalized, I don't think it should be an inconvenience to anyone else. YOU shouldn't have to smell it as well.

And I'm really not sure why so many people are telling you nothing can be done. In the US, smelling it absolutely gives the officer a right to investigate further. The only difference state to state would possibly be the amount of pot it would take for charges to be filed, or if that person has a medical marijuana card (not sure if it's legal in NY). Now, whether that officer is lazy and chooses not to invoke this right is an entirely different story.

Agree with your first paragraph but not your second. It does indeed differ state by state and in fact in some states, I know in Colorado before they legalized it and in Oregon I think as well, a cop can no longer pursue someone just on the basis of suspicion of using or possessing pot. However if they were to find it in the course of arresting someone or something, like a traffic stop, then of course they will ticket you for it. And as everyone probably knows, it is now legal to use it recreationally in Colorado and in Washington as well. New York does not have medical marijuana according to Google, but it just illustrates that laws differ by states.

Sorry, I thought that would have been implied when I was talking about the card. I should have clarified. I have a bad habit of saying things that seem clear to me without taking into consideration that people cannot read my mind. DH tells me this constantly.

 

[Amsan]

While, I wouldn't be put out if pot were legalized, I don't think it should be an inconvenience to anyone else. YOU shouldn't have to smell it as well.

And I'm really not sure why so many people are telling you nothing can be done. In the US, smelling it absolutely gives the officer a right to investigate further. The only difference state to state would possibly be the amount of pot it would take for charges to be filed, or if that person has a medical marijuana card (not sure if it's legal in NY). Now, whether that officer is lazy and chooses not to invoke this right is an entirely different story.

Agree with your first paragraph but not your second. It does indeed differ state by state and in fact in some states, I know in Colorado before they legalized it and in Oregon I think as well, a cop can no longer pursue someone just on the basis of suspicion of using or possessing pot. However if they were to find it in the course of arresting someone or something, like a traffic stop, then of course they will ticket you for it. And as everyone probably knows, it is now legal to use it recreationally in Colorado and in Washington as well. New York does not have medical marijuana according to Google, but it just illustrates that laws differ by states.

Sorry, I thought that would have been implied when I was talking about the card. I should have clarified. I have a bad habit of saying things that seem clear to me without taking into consideration that people cannot read my mind. DH tells me this constantly.

I do the same thing... and then give someone a look like they're a special kind of stupid when they don't know what I'm talking about.