Why wouldn’t they turn them in? This is a letter to the Ethicist, a part of the NY Times I had no idea existed, and something no Fish Wrap writer should be allowed to be involved in
My Neighbors Are Running an Auto Shop in Their Driveway. What Should I Do?
About a year ago, a very nice family moved into the rental home next door. We have shared food and invited them to our pool in the summer, and we always exchange greetings from yard to yard.
About six months ago, the father’s auto-shop location apparently became unavailable. He and his mechanics now work on cars in their yard and driveway. At times, 15 cars line their driveway and fill the front yard, in obvious states of repair — hoods up, engines removed. This “shade tree” business practice is illegal in our city, and the number of cars and the manner in which they are parked violates city codes. We and our neighbors worry it’s driving down the property value of adjacent homes, and we plan to sell within a few years.
I’m uncomfortable raising this with the family because I doubt they can do much without losing income. Moving to a new garage would obviously be costly. And if I talk to them and the outcome is unsatisfactory, I’d be the obvious culprit for any report to the city. Our friendly terms would disappear.
I’m also reluctant to report because the family is from Venezuela. (They mentioned having green cards, though I never asked.) I’m afraid that even a code violation could draw attention from ICE, which has an aggressive, unpleasant presence in my city. Thoughts?
My first thought is that law enforcement or some city worker should have noticed this by now and done something. It’s pretty much illegal to be running an auto shop out of your home, particularly if it is a rental. But, the city might ignore a non-citizen doing this because it might attract the attention of federal authorities. They’d be on your ass if you were an American, you can bet that. Second, this is going to decrease the property values and could attract an unsavory crowd to the neighborhood. If these weren’t, most likely, refugees but US citizens it would have been reported, but, libtards are wackadoodle when it comes to non-citizens.
The “Ethicist” reply
You say that you don’t want to raise the issue with this family and harsh the neighborly vibe you enjoy. But what would really be unneighborly is failing to alert them. As things stand, anyone on your block could blow the whistle — either to the city (as a code violation) or to the landlord/property manager (as a lease violation). Looking out for the family means telling them that what they’re doing could invite scrutiny, so that they have a chance to head this off.
The “Ethicist” is recommending that the letter writer find a way around the law. Nice.
Freedom!!! That’s the problem with this horrible over-regulated liberal society!!!
It used to be an American man could do as he pleased as long as he wasn’t hurting someone else. Now, in these lefitist over-sensitive cities, heaven forfend a neighbor be annoyed even slightly by someone.
“Your music is too loud!” Call the cops. “Your AR-15 target practice is “dangerous”! Call the cops “Your grass is too long”. Call the cops. “Your goats smell!” Call the cops. “Your home worship group creates dangerous traffic!!” Call the cops.
We’re surprised that Mr William opposes this industrious entrepreneur and wants to call the cops. Is it because the mechanic is said to be Venezuelan? Usually he opposes overbearing government regs.
Related… Years ago, the Elks Club in our quiet suburban neighborhood decided to hold Saturday afternoon turkey shoots to raise money! If you’re familiar with a turkey shoot, contestants with shotguns gather to shoot at targets, with the prize being a frozen turkey. Also, you may be familiar with the sound a 12g shotgun makes. Anyway, despite County Officials claiming they could do nothing, neighbor complaints to the Elks ended the shoots. BTW, yours truly won a turkey there using his trusty 12g Remington 1100!!
Mr William concludes: “The “Ethicist” is recommending that the letter writer find a way around the law. Nice.”
Nah. They recommended finding a resolution. Rather than calling the authorities, they recommended the neighbor talk to their neighbor advising them of the potential negative consequences of their shade tree mechanic business.
William would no doubt call ICE. No one is above the law, dammit!!! I bet William would call the cops if I a dog walker didn’t pick up her dog poop!!