Local Leaders Must Act Now: Stop the Cycle of Neighborhood Harassment

For years, my family and I have endured an escalating nightmare of harassment, threats, and intimidation from a violent neighbor. Despite repeated calls to law enforcement, clear violations of restraining orders, and an abundance of video evidence, the system designed to protect us has failed at every turn. The inaction of our local officials, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s office has left us with one unsettling reality: we are on our own.

This is not just about one neighbor’s pattern of abusive behavior; this is about a systemic failure to enforce the law. When residents cannot rely on law enforcement to uphold basic protections like restraining orders, when prosecutors refuse to bring charges despite overwhelming evidence, and when city officials remain silent in the face of documented failures, it sends a dangerous message: crime and harassment will be tolerated.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has repeatedly failed to take action despite clear violations of the law. Restraining orders exist for a reason—to protect victims from ongoing threats. Yet, in my case and in countless others, these court orders are not being enforced. We have reported incidents of physical assault, racial harassment, and even threats with deadly weapons, only to be met with dismissals, indifference, or outright hostility from certain deputies. When law enforcement refuses to document key evidence, misclassifies crimes, or declines to intervene in obvious threats to public safety, they are not just failing victims—they are enabling offenders.

Compounding this failure is the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, which has routinely declined to prosecute these cases, citing "insufficient evidence"—even when video recordings, witness statements, and police reports tell a different story. This pattern of inaction is not just negligent; it actively contributes to the cycle of violence in our communities.

But law enforcement and the DA are not the only ones who bear responsibility. Our city’s elected officials—those entrusted with the safety and well-being of their constituents—have done nothing. The Mayor and City Council members have been made aware of these ongoing issues, yet they have failed to take any meaningful action. Where is the leadership? Where is the accountability?

Local government cannot claim to prioritize public safety while ignoring repeated failures in law enforcement and prosecution. If our city leaders truly care about community well-being, they must demand answers from both the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office. They must push for better policies, stronger enforcement of restraining orders, and real consequences for those who ignore the law. They must ensure that law enforcement agencies serve all residents—not just those whose cases fit within an easy checkbox of prosecution.

We are calling on our city leaders to step up and take immediate action. Hold law enforcement accountable for failing to protect residents. Demand that the District Attorney prosecute cases of clear criminal behavior. Implement real oversight and transparency measures to prevent future negligence. And most importantly, show your constituents that their safety matters.

Enough is enough. We refuse to live in fear. We refuse to let bureaucracy and apathy enable ongoing harassment. If our elected officials will not act, then they should prepare to answer to the public at the ballot box.

It is time for action. We will not be silent any longer.