My name is Stephanie McGrew and I have been getting stalked and harassed by my next-door neighbor since the summer of 2019. He also frequently trespasses on my property after being asked to not do so (by me and the local law enforcement) multiple times.
Backstory
My home is on the left in the above picture (my neighbors home is on the right). My neighbor and I share a driveway AND garage (I know… it’s a nightmare…). I purchased the home this way.
I got my first full-time job and was able to purchase my own home in 2015. I had a roommate when I initially moved in so I had a concrete slab the size of a small SUV poured in my backyard so I could have additional parking space. I asked my neighbor if we could re-pave the driveway and double the width (to allow for easier access for both of us) and decline. I also asked him if I could purchase the land with the driveway and garage… he said no.
When I initially moved in things were civil and nice. But things slowly turned sour. My neighbor would block my vehicle from being able to pull out of the driveway (the scene pictured above). If I pulled my car through the grass he would call the city on me for violating city code (yes the city did call me to issue me a warning about it…).
My neighbor blocking my vehicles with his car would happen regularly. I would initially knock on his door and ask him to move his car. But, he would argue that he did not like that I would park in front of my home (the primary parking spot for my home). There is no parking on the street directly in front of my home. And, there is usually another car parked on the backside of my home on the slab of concrete that I got poured). So I would have to call the cops to assist. This was happening 1-5 times a week. It would make me late for work and other appointments. Every time the cops showed up they would ask him to move his vehicle (and he did move it). But it was a vicious cycle and would happen all over again the next day or a few days later. It would also take time (which was a pain because it would make me late to any appointments I had). This caused me emotional and financial stress. Due to him blocking me I would frequently be late for clients which also caused me to lose a few clients due to him blocking me. It did also hinder my ability to work as I was late for work and other appointments.
***NOTICE*** In the above image my neighbor placed barriers in the grass on his side of the driveway. This would require him to frequently have to pull through my yard/grass to get his car out of the driveway (yes I have videos of this happening). He would park his car to block me in until I would call the cops to ask him to move. It was never a temporary parking situation (as if he was parking to load/unload his vehicle). I always park my vehicles behind my garage door and well over my property line not to block the middle of the driveway. He also has another garage that is attached to his home (that he regularly uses).
The above picture is of my deeded property (with property line) that was surveyed and filed with the city. As you can see, I have actually been deeded a good portion of the current paved driveway. I ALWAYS park on my side of the property line.
Police Reports
On this particular evening in June, I was coming back home from walking my dog. I saw my neighbor in my backyard (Look above at the ariel view of my property). He has NO reason to be in my backyard. There is another home perpendicular to my back year. But, for some reason, he was there. I walked into my home and to the back window to see why he was in my yard. My grass was somewhat high (he complained regularly about my not mowing my grass as frequently as he would prefer…). As I stood in my home watching him in my backyard he started throwing large softball to volleyball size rocks and bricks into my grass. Scattering them throughout my yard. I immediately called the cops and filed the above police report.
After this incident with the encouragement of my family and friends, I purchased security cameras because I feared this would not be the last incident. My neighbor indeed still harassed me prior to this police report! It was starting to become so frequent that I decided to call the police and start to document everything.
Reports like the report above were filed week after week. Each time I came outside to leave, my vehicles would be blocked in. When I would get home from work, my driveway would be blocked. I had a schedule and he adapted to that schedule. My security cameras would indicate that he would move his vehicle to block the driveway prior to me needing to leave my home or arrive home.
In the report, this is also the start of him taking pictures of me. He would ONLY come outside to take pictures of me when I would arrive home or leave my home. He would also regularly take pictures of my property, home, my guest, and my guest vehicles. This would occur REGULARLY.
THANK YOU K.P.D.
The above report displays the tenacity that was displayed by the Kirksville Police Department (K.P.D.). Every time they came to my home they were patient, kind, and accommodating. The above report describes a lot of the encounters that happened between the K.P.D. and my neighbor. He would often argue with them. But, they knew and acknowledged that his acts were malicious. Every time I called them about my neighbor blocking the driveway they were able to get him to move his car so that I could have access to get in/out of my property. To the men and women of the K.P.D. thank you. I appreciate your kindness, patience, and diligence with this ongoing issue.
The above report indicates (yet again) me calling the cops due to my neighbor blocking me from accessing the driveway. It also shows dates that I have called the police against my neighbor in regards to this issue.
Harassment: More Police Reports
The above report is the beginning of me calling the police due to my neighbor taking unsolicited pictures of me. I spoke to the prosecutor and a lawyer prior to this, and THEY instructed me to document when these instances happened. I have to be able to have a “burden of proof” in regards to my neighbor taking photos of me when I got home. Luckily for this report, I was able to provide that proof to file a report.
Physical Altercation
On this day I was shoveling snow to switch vehicles. As I was shoveling, my security cameras picked up my neighbor coming outside. I did hire someone to shovel my driveway to avoid this issue, but this particular day I could not wait for that person to come and shovel for me.
I ran into my home to get the keys to my 2nd vehicle. As I was coming outside, my neighbor was approaching me, taking pictures of me. I yelled at him to stop but he did not. I had to physically push him away from me so that I would not have to run through him to get to my vehicles. I immediately called 911 for police assistance and ran to the neighbors home for assistance.
ENDANGERMENT
2020, I was parked trying to move my vehicle and my neighbor tried to back his car into mine. I had to jump into my car and put on my seatbelt for fear of him causing a car collision on my driveway. I do also have a video of this happening.
He was advised to STOP taking pictures of me (after having stacks of photos of me)
More Reports
Videos
I have placed various videos of my neighbor harassing and stalking me on a public Facebook page that is called Adair Aggravation (the direct link to that page is https://www.facebook.com/Adair-Aggravation-110211564473312).
Here are some of the videos showing what my neighbor has been doing to me over the past 4 years…
Again, these videos were taken upon the suggestion of lawyers, the local police, and the local Adair county prosecutor.
When I originally made public the Facebook group Adair Aggrivated, the prosecutor called me within a short amout of time to disuss what had been going on. This was the first time I had talked to him in months about my case and the issues I was having. Here are some videos of those conversations.
The following video is of the local prosecutor scheduling a meeting with myself, my lawyer, my neighbor, his lawyer, and the temporary police cheif of our city. Orignally I asked for a meeting to be set so we can come to a resolution to the issues that I have neen having with my neighbor. But instead this happened…
Emails to the Prosecutor
Here are the screenshots of emails that I have had between myself and the prosecutor. He has sent me emails privately in regards to things that have occurred. And, at random times he has chosen to CC a lot of other people. More importantly… is he supposed to use a “normal” Gmail account for conducting official city business?
Adair County Prosecutor
Since the beginning of this ordeal, I regularly contacted the Adair County Prosecutor, Matt Wilson. When I would talk, beg, and plead with him about what I could do for my safety he would tell me:
- Document everything that is happening
- Call the police when I feel unsafe, harmed, or every time my neighbor did something to me.
- File a police report requesting charges if he indeed was in violation of a law
Week after week, I did as he asked with no true follow-up from the prosecutor. It was not until March
How can you help?
You can help by sharing my story with anyone that you know. You can share my story with anyone that may be able to assist. I am looking to press charges to the fullest extent. The local Adair county prosecutor, Matt Wilson, is refusing to take things further which is where things have halted.
You can also call Matt Wilson’s office: 660.627.3625
When people call he often tries to deflect and say that I need to speak to my lawyers about the case. But, in reality, he has control of the situation and my overall case. He is refusing to take any further actions and this is wrong and negligent.
Matt Wilson told me that I needed to speak to the Missouri Attorney General’s office… and I have. I have talked to multiple people at the Missouri Attorney Generals’ office over the past few months. The things that Matt Wilson is saying they will do they can not do. They told me they do not interfere unless there is an extreme situation that is occurring and the prosecutor is not physically capable of doing his job. I have spoken to approximately 20 layers in the state of Missouri (and about a dozen other lawyers outside the state of Missouri). They all have indicated the same thing… in order for me to be protected legally (long term), the best solution would be for the prosecutor to file charges. If my neighbor violates parol or the terms that are created by the judge he would get arrested if he continues to do these things. He continues to do these things to me on a weekly basis because he has had no punishments for his actions. How long will it take for me to get protection and for me to feel safe in/around my own home?
