I Need Some Real Advice

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:26pm

So there is a homeless disabled veteran who's been camped out in front of my building for a few months now. He's a nice enough man (an old hippie) who always says hello and has never asked me for money. However he's a raging alcoholic who gets in really violent fights with other homeless people, deals drugs and more often than not is reeeeeeally dirty and smells like alcohol and dirt.

NOW, my issue is that he happens to like my dog and my dog likes him. I can't take my dog out for a walk without the man wanting to pet him and get his hands all over the dog which make my dog smell and get him really REALLY dirty, as well as putting his face in his and my dog licking his face and whatever the hell is on it. Four times a day. It's to the point where I actually have anxiety about going out to let the dog piss because I know I'll have to give him a baby wipe bath when I get back (I've always wiped his paws with baby wipes when we get back inside but now that I have to use them over his entire body all day every day, I'm using 5x as many).

So how do I tell this guy he can't pet my dog anymore? I have to see him every time I leave my apartment since he lives right outside the damn door and I'm in and out up to 10 times a day and night. Seriously, I feel like I'm going to start having anxiety attacks at the thought of just walking the dog.

Updated On: 8/16/13 at 12:26 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:30pm

Can you talk to your building manager about it?

Sounds like there are two issues, and both relevant. The issue with your dog, plus the issue of him starting fights and selling drugs outside your building all the time.

[Jungle Red]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:33pm

But is there a building manager?

Can you call the cops when he's causing trouble?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:36pm

Yes, talk to the building management. If he's sitting right out front, he's loitering and can be removed by the police if he's causing a disturbance,

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:37pm

The cops are there all the time. I live pretty much in Times Square. They don't do anything. As for the building manager, he's technically sitting on a public sidewalk so they can't do anything, I'm told.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:40pm

Tell the guy to please not touch your dog because he has not been feeling well and you do not want the dog to snap and bite him. Simple.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:42pm

I did that once. But he can't "not be feeling well" yet look all happy to be outside and begging to be pet, forever.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:42pm

Mace him.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:43pm

What does your pup do? Does he go to him, out of routine of knowing the petting is coming?

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:45pm

disagree - you can. The dog can have arthritis which flairs up from time to time.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:45pm

Ugh. It sounds like you are in a no win situation.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:46pm

Wyn, yeah he makes a beeline to him because he know he'll be pet.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:49pm

Then you have no other choice but to pick the dog up and carry it out of the building and away from him every time. You are going to have to be 'rude' and ignore the man, but teach your dog that he's not going to get pets from him.


As a building manager myself, I find a garden hose work wonders. Just keep going out and washing down the sidewalk.

[suestorm]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:49pm

The cops are there all the time. I live pretty much in Times Square. They don't do anything. As for the building manager, he's technically sitting on a public sidewalk so they can't do anything, I'm told.

IF he is harrassing people, or being aggressive, or pervy, or if he is a health hazard the cops have EVERY right to move him.

[Jungle Red]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:50pm

Can you go the other way?

San Francisco has a NO SIT/LIE law that basically says that no one can sit on or lie on a sidewalk from 7AM to 6PM. Its rarely enforced, but if a shop owner or homeowner complains, SFPD is quick to take care of it.

I've had to call a few times from work.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:52pm

The cops will do something if you call them, but don't expect cops that are just strolling by to do something unless he's making a public disturbance.

I called the cops a few months ago about a homeless man who yelling and throwing things on the sidewalk in front of my building (very near times square too).

They were there in 5 minutes and removed the man promptly.

Talk to your landlord/building manager. If they don't do anything call the cops yourself.

Updated On: 8/16/13 at 12:52 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 12:55pm

Talk to your landlord/building manager. If they don't do anything call the cops yourself.

What Whizzer said.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 1:11pm

"Then you have no other choice but to pick the dog up and carry it out of the building and away from him every time"

Exactly!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 1:12pm

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 1:22pm

Pull the dog closer to you when you walk out the building, avoid eye contact and walk quickly. I know you have good intentions in being kind to him but sometimes, you have to be mean to protect yourself and your own interests.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 1:37pm

The police can and will do more than you think. But you'll have to file repeated complaints against this man, and I'm guessing you won't be able to bring yourself to do that.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 1:52pm

Perhaps whenever you witness him getting into a fight or dealing drugs, that's when you call the cops? Or if you are able to secretly photograph it for evidence (while maintaining your safety) then do so.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 1:52pm

What Pal Joey said. This won't be a pleasant or easy fix. Call the precinct. Every day. Multiple times a day if need be. Keep a log of your calls, names of who you've spoken to and complaint numbers. When you see him get into a fight, call 911. When he behaves erratically, call 911 and report him as an Emotionally Disturbed Person. When you see him dealing drugs, call 911.

Check with your community board to see if they can offer further assistance.

Good luck.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 4:09pm

If you dog is small enough, I was going to suggest the carry method as well. (And if you want to be nice, pick one time a day to allow the man to interact--but there is nothing required in that at all.)

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/20/13 at 11:04am

Saw this response today from a similar story in a DNAinfo.com article about HK:

"This is a job for police. From NYC 311:

"You can also report a homeless person who repeatedly occupies the same location or establishes an encampment. Officers from your local police precinct will respond when they are not handling emergency situations."

She clearly occupies the same location repeatedly and also appears to have established an encampment.



The next step for residents is to bug the desk sergeant directly and to ask the local community board to pressure police. The contact at CB4 for Quality of Life issues is Nelly Gonzalez, the
Assistant District Manager for CB4.

I know this works from experience BTW.

Hope this might help.