A rotten return

[fpb]

I had to go down to Rome again, stay longer than I had expected, and suffer both from scorching weather and from a number of business disappointments. But the worst thing happened when I came back. I found the lock changed on my door and the door shut. I had to break it down. INSIDE the locked door (!), I found a note that some of my neighbours had worried about my absence and called the police, who had broken down and changed the locks.
I printed twelve copies of the following note and posted them to all my neighbours:

TO MY NEIGHBOURS

Having come back from an unplanned journey, I found my door locked and unopenable. I was forced to break it down.

INSIDE, mind you, I found a message stating that some neighbours had become concerned at my absence. As a result, someone had forced my door and replaced the lock without my consent.

This is going to cost me money to repair the door, discomfort while it is done, and even some danger as long as I cannot lock it. I can afford none of these.

I am NOT grateful for the concern of whoever took on themselves to take this initiative. Indeed, I prefer not to know who it was, so if it is you, please do not let me know. I would take it ill.

Sincerely,
The tenant at 300b


Now I am concerned I may have gone too far, but really, the eff-up was too grave and damaging not to react in some fashion.

Comments

[un-crayon-rouge.livejournal.com]

WTF! Unbelievable! I cannot fathom a neighbor who would call the police when another neighbor is absent for what, a week? A month? Hell, even a year, it's your apartment, as long as you're paying the rent and there isn't a major accident like water or gas leak, you can leave for however long you effing want! What surprises me the most is that the police even went along with that.

Anyway, *hugs* That sucks.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Well, it does happen that old people die alone in flats and the police have to break the door down to find the body. But I am not quite that old, and what I find outrageous is not so much the cops coming in as such, as the way that the lock was left changed with no way for me to understand what happened UNTIL I had broken down the door. Now I have no idea who will pay the repairs.

[un-crayon-rouge.livejournal.com]

I would think it's the police's responsibility, but something tells me that's not going to happen...

[mentalguy.livejournal.com]

Yes, really the police are ultimately responsible for the damage in this case. It's probably worth at least minimally pursuing.

[mentalguy.livejournal.com]

At the barest minimum, someone -- the police, or failing that, your neighbors -- ought to have put a note in your mailbox explaining what had happened. For that matter, where was your landlord in all this?

[sanscouronne.livejournal.com]

This whole scenario is very bizarre.

VERY.

From the neighbors calling the police, to the police actually breaking in and replacing the locks. And for the police to leave the notice INSIDE an apartment that you could no longer enter, either very strange or ridiculously stupid.

I do not think your letter too menacing. It would be nice if your neighbors apologized, if not collected money amongst themselves to pay for the repairs.

[sanscouronne.livejournal.com]

I keep thinking of this scene and the book 1984.

I don't know. It just seems like something Big Brother would do...

[super-pan.livejournal.com]

Honestly, that was probably for the best that you said to not let you know, since you know yourself best. I'm sure you probably averted an unpleasant encounter. I'm sorry that happened; I know you don't need that kind of turmoil in your life.

[mentalguy.livejournal.com]

Now I am concerned I may have gone too far, but really, the eff-up was too grave and damaging not to react in some fashion.

I think the police deserve more blame for their handling of the report than your neighbors for making it, but ... still, you don't really want a repeat of this.

[kikei.livejournal.com]

that's just... weird. on one hand it's nice to know the neighbours notice so in case something unpleasant does happen they might be able to help but on the other hand if the police were called every time someone had to make a sudden trip... well I dunno, but I'd be concerned if the police were doing that all the time instead of the rest of the things they're supposed to be doing. the way the police handled it sounds really bizarre. like, if everything was in order and such and even if they had to change the lock (because of having broken the first one) they should have left the note a) outside and b) new keys in the care of someone and c) let you know where these new keys were.

*hugs*

[eliskimo.livejournal.com]

I find this entire situation bizarre. Doesn't your building have a landlord, property manager or superintendent who should have been contacted prior to calling in the police? Any who would have had the keys to the new lock?

And the note inside is strange. Can you verify it was actually the police and not someone who was pulling an extremely misguided prank on you?

I do hope someone's conscience is pricked enough for them them to help you pay for the repairs.

[rfachir.livejournal.com]

If someone goes changing locks in your landlord's building, they should have left a key to the new lock and a note with you (on the door) and your landlord. That would be the most considerate thing to do. Something sounds fishy. Have you talked to the police and asked them what happened yourself? I also would want to confirm who really broke down the door, and who asked for it to be broken. If it was the landlord, that would also change your course of action. Being a little angry at everyone will be worse than talking to the one person who changed your locks.

[tashmania.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry this happened to you :-( It's not what you needed to come home to. I would add my voice to those above who think something is very strange about the whole set-up. Regardless of that though, it is not something you need right now at all. *hug*

[elegant-bonfire.livejournal.com]

Did you ever find out anything more about this? I agree that it is very strange--if the police did that here, the city would be looking at a lawsuit for damages, at the least.

(Sorry about the late comment, I am reading back on some of my friends' LJs that I've missed.)