i dont know if calling the police is an option, or if its a good option. if anything, dont threaten with calling the police, never, in no case. Call the police or dont call the police, but never threaten with it. Calling the police is an option you always have.


Here is what i would try: Complain calmly and clearly whenever you smell it, immediately when you smell it. You need to first make sure that they really know that it bothers you, for sure, no miscommunication. Next step would be to do something out of the box, something that is maybe quite drastic but doesnt involve the police. An earlier poster had a nice anecdote involving smelly dog poop. Basically annoy them out of their behavior with something that really annoys... but that doesnt cause much property damage and doesnt hurt anyone.

My idea for the next step would be: Threaten to use water if you catch them again. Threaten to get a super soaker or something like that. And if they keep fumigating you, next time you grab your high-powered toy water rifle, pump it up, and aim for their drugs. (and crotches).

If we assume that these people are drug users, maybe dealers, but still rational, meaning smoking pot but not smoking any hard chemicals, they wont call the police. they wont react in any over-the-top way that it would cause police to arrive, like hurting you or destroying stuff you own. they know you know but you wont call the police but will take measures. Annoying measures, not threatening but annoying.

I think something like this could work.

Or, another idea: get a portable audio system, or ghetto blaster, and when you smell something you turn up something from Bob Marley, loud enough for them and other people to hear, and stop when they put out their stuff and get inside ^^ but maybe this is not as good as water or smell, because it involves the risk of others hearing it, which could be an implicit threat to call the police.


just be calm and rational and creative, im sure you will find a way that will teach your son, get your neighbors to change, a way that also allows for your neighbors to maintain some respect for you because you found a creative way that didnt involve the police. whatever you do dont leave whoever lives with you in the dark about it. Making plans together and then executing them, and maybe even being completely successful, is one of the most fulfilling ways to communicate anyway.