It was shocking what I learnt about my neighbourhood that made me think I knew it well. A year ago, Jim and Lisa, my neighbours, used my hot tub without my knowledge. That was just the start.
My husband Tom and I had been too busy to use our hot tub, but Lisa’s comment about how loud it was made us look into it. The video from our hidden camera showed the unthinkable: Jim’s family breaking in and using our hot tub as if it were their own.
We chose to teach them a lesson because we felt lied to. Tom put in an automatic lock, and I added a safe dye to the water that would make their skin turn green for a short time.
When they saw that their skin was turning green, they became scared. When we talked to them, they saw that we had caught them in the act.
Things didn’t end there, though. A tip from a stranger revealed Jim’s secret “Airbnb” business, which used the neighborhood’s features to bring in guests.
I was determined to find out the truth, so I gathered proof and called the cops. Our neighbourhood felt better when Jim was arrested for fraud and trespassing.
After what happened, our neighbourhood got closer, safer, and more helpful. We finally got to enjoy our hot tub by ourselves, Tom and I.
When I think about what happened, I realised that sometimes the strangest things can lead to good changes.
What would you do if you found out that your neighbours were using your land without your permission? Would you talk to them or look for other ways to solve the problem?
