Q: One of my neighbors had been harassing me and my family for a few months. Making Vulgar remarks and threatening gestures
I would like to know what I can legally do to get him to stop me and my family are in fear that it will escalate into something more. He's already tried hitting me with his vehicle On one occasion. And has been Menacing us with treats
A:
You need to report this to your local police. The attempt to hit you with his vehicle may well be an assault. Generally speaking a person making vulgar remarks isn't going to get in trouble as they do have a right to free speech so this is a tricky area. But a sum of acts that would put a normal person in fear might get some attention from the police. Read the elements of the misdemeanor crime of menacing here: https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/163.190. I would definitely report this and see if the police can help you in some way.
I don't know if there is more to this story, like some type of dispute that you and this neighbor have had over something. If this is the case, you might want to try talking to an attorney about the matter before reporting it to the police, Maybe there is some way to settle the dispute and go to the police first may make this harder.
If you or your property end up being injured or damaged, then an attorney could sue the neighbor. But it doesn't sound like that has happened yet.
Joanne Reisman
Attorney at Law
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