TW: domestic violence mention
I am a mandated reporter, and one of my sets of neighbors have always been contentious towards each other and loud. I feel for them, and recognize their situation is less than ideal. I have really, really tried for a long time to hold off on getting any sort of law enforcement involved because they have kids, they work hard, and they’ve been kind to us when we’ve interacted. My partner and I have always made sure to show them the same kindness in return, even though we are awakened by their arguments at least once a week. They are good people, just not good to each other which is just really sad.
I also know we’re one of the few houses in the neighborhood who are still on relatively good or neutral terms with them. The rest of the street has come by to yell at them for one thing or another (usually loud bass music) or other public disturbances. But my partner and I mostly keep to ourselves. As long as the others on the street aren’t hurting anyone, I’m gonna just let everyone lead their own lives. I’m not usually the person who stirs the pot, especially because all of our houses are really close in this part of town.
I grew up around DV, and let’s just say this morning was different, a turning point, and all too familiar. At least one person from their house had already been speeding around the streets from their place and then come back to pick up the fight, so we already have the rest of the neighborhood being put at risk. Then I hear the wife screaming, (in the same voice I used to hear my mother screaming at her second husband), “I TOLD YOU TO GET THE FUCK OUT, AND DON’T COME BACK UNTIL YOUR COURT CASE!” or something to that affect.
Obviously I don’t know the details, but there are kids involved and I am struggling, again, with whether or not to report. But my thinking is that if the kids are at risk, and at least one in their house is really young, I need to do what I can to keep all parties safe if possible. So, I file the report as they’re still going at each other, and ask to stay anonymous because hell NO am I getting involved in this shit. They come out to talk the couple, and I go back to my morning.
Didn’t catch anything after that myself, but the responding officer calls me back after a while and says they’re separating. I REALLY am hoping I didn’t just break up a relationship, regardless of how unhealthy it was, but I can’t help but wonder. I made sure to reiterate that I wanted my name off the report, even though I’m a mandated reporter, and the officer was really understanding, thankfully.
TL;DR — Called the cops on my screaming neighbors, and the cop’s follow-up call told me they’re separating. I’m really hoping this wasn’t the final straw that broke them up.