Need advice
 

My neighbor has grown increasingly confused and forgetful over the past year or two and has somehow become convinced that he owns my house. He is constantly wandering around my property, ringing the doorbell, entering my lanai and once actually managed to get into my house while I was away. I think he somehow got through the lock on my sliding door. He is a former LEO so probably knows how to do that. I've since put lock bars in the tracks of the sliders and while I am less worried about him getting in again I'm still a bit nervous about the situation. I can't see this ending well.

My question is what advice would you put forth to help me deal with this? I don't know anything about his medical situation but it seems to me that he maybe has some form of dementia and I have no experience dealing with that. I don't want to do anything that will make things worse but clearly this can't go on and I am going to have to do something. Help?

Do you know if he lives alone, or anybody in his family that can be contacted, if not then a call to elder care would be appropriate. This sounds like a situation that could get very bad very quickly. The county mental health personnel should be able to give you a hand getting to the correct agency.

I would second elder care if he lives alone or there is no family to contact. If someone doesn’t look in on him things will get worse.

Call the police. If he is a retired LEO he undoubtedly owns a gun and you can't know what will set him off. Not your problem to fix his problem; the police will figure out what services he needs. The time for being 'neighborly' has passed when he trespassed into your home.

Good advice ! While I have had experience with Elder Care organization, they do not have legal powers, so one has to be aware of that when contacting them. In this situation it seems the number one priority is to somehow find out the next of kin. In some instances that might not be an easy task either. Even though he entered the home of a neighbor illegally, still, most of us would hate to involve the police. However, involving police may be the only path to having next of kin contacted. I agree, this is DEFINITELY NOT going get "better" !

Police. Then it is official, and noted.

There are two groups of retired police officers that may be able to help. 1. The Villages 10-13 Club 2. A local FOP = Fraternal Order of Police. Sorry I don't have contact info but will try to get it. Possibly google can come up with contact info. Good luck with this.

Call the County Sheriff. This is a vulnerable adult issue and they will know how to deal with it, get in contact with adult protective services, etc. This guy needs intervention.

Aside from that, as other posters have indicated, you could be in very real danger. I’d waste no time in reporting it.

Does he live with someone that you can talk to? Does he still drive?

Please report this to the authorities ASAP. Your life/health, as well as his, could be in danger. I know you are worried about what might happen to him, but it won't be any worse than what could happen to both of you if you do nothing. Godspeed.

Suppose he is in your house and he thinks it is his house. You come in and he shoots you.

Thanks for all the advice. He does have family locally but they seem to be having limited success keeping him off my property. I am away on an extended vacation halfway around the world so it's hard to deal with any of this at the moment but I will be following up on all the advice when I get back in May.

How about security cameras? I think you need to be able to check what's happening in and around your home, and have a recordings of it. Good luck and enjoy the rest of your vacation.

The police/sheriff are exactly who you should call. Calling a retired LEO club, or an FOP lodge will get no traction...they would undoubtedly tell you to call the police. Law enforcement has direct access to all of the services that can be brought to bear in situations like this. Plus, they have the legal authority to take direct action if need be, such as an involuntary commitment. Calling the police for help is not being mean or uncaring...in fact, you would be doing your neighbor and yourself a service.

Thoroughly agree!! I feel sorry for his mental condition but am more concerned about your physical safety