Neighbor Tries To Get Teen In Trouble, Stepmother Turns The Tables Spectacularly

If there’s one thing that sets good neighbors apart from bad ones, it’s this: good neighbors are easy to forget, but bad neighbors are impossible to ignore.

This Redditor’s neighbor was a case of the latter. One night, he gave her teenage self a scare by calling the police on her for no apparent reason. What he probably didn’t expect, though, was how the situation would turn out—definitely not in his favor.

Read the full story below.

The man called the police on his teenage neighbor for no apparent reason

Police officers standing near a patrol vehicle on the street.

Image credits: dannyoliva (not the actual image)

But the outcome wasn’t quite what he was expecting

Quote about a high schooler living in an apartment with his father and stepmother, recalling a night alone with a friend.

Text image about a noise complaint leading to police questions about alcohol and witchcraft books.

Neighbor peering through door peephole, illustrating a situation involving noise complaint and unexpected arrest.

Image credits: vh-studio (not the actual image)

Text recounting an incident involving a stepmother's response to a noise complaint.

Text describing a noise complaint sequence involving police and a neighbor confrontation.

Person handcuffed in front view, wearing a dark jacket, representing a neighbor arrested after a noise complaint.

Image credits: denisapolka (not the actual image)

Neighbor arrested for possession and contributing to delinquency, after calling cops over noise complaint.

Image credits: jaizee08

If you have a nice neighbor, consider yourself lucky

Having neighbors you truly get along with is surprisingly rare. At least, that’s what the research shows, especially in the U.S.

A LendingTree survey from 2022 found that 73% of Americans have issues with at least one of their neighbors. Among the groups most likely to have problems are Gen Zers, apartment dwellers, and Northeasterners—all at 79%. The top reasons people cited for their frustrations include giving off a “weird vibe,” being too loud, or simply being rude.

For 23% of respondents, the tension with their neighbors was serious enough to warrant calling the police. Additionally, about 1 in 10 people have relocated specifically because they didn’t get along with their neighbors. Of course, moving out just because of a disagreement is a luxury that many can’t manage.

“In today’s hot housing market where prices are high and inventory is limited, the unfortunate reality is that some people might not have any other choice but to live near someone they don’t like,” says Jacob Channel, LendingTree senior economic analyst. “And while getting ‘bad vibes’ from a neighbor can certainly be annoying, dealing with them might be worth it if it means you have an affordable place to live.”

On the bright side, even though most people have a neighbor they don’t see eye to eye with, 74% are friends with at least some of them. In fact, these friendships can sometimes influence major decisions, such as buying or renting a house because of the neighbors. More than 1 in 10 Americans (12%) have done just that.

“Ultimately, part of being a good neighbor is openly communicating with others who live nearby,” Channel says. “You should always remember that the nuclear option—i.e., moving away—is often not your only choice when a neighbor does something you don’t like.”

Person talking to a neighbor through a gate, highlighting a dispute over noise.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)

The woman noted that the incident took place in the ’90s

Text exchange about books on witchcraft being an issue in the 90s.

Comment discussing a situation involving a neighbor and police entry without a warrant.

Readers were pleased to hear the man got what he deserved

Reddit comment about a neighbor's revenge with username Fit-Discount3153 and 1.3k points.

Reddit comment about a neighbor calling cops due to noise, labeled "very stupid neighbor.

Comment about a "stupid neighbor" and glass houses with username and points displayed.

Reddit comment discussing consequences, related to a noise complaint and a neighbor's arrest.

Reddit comment humorously mentions a "very stupid neighbor" regarding a stepmother.

Reddit comment discussing a positive step-mother story amidst many negative ones.

Reddit comment saying "I like your stepmother," in context of a very stupid neighbor discussion.

Reddit comment criticizing a very stupid neighbor for reporting noise and involving police.

Comment from a discussion about a neighbor noise issue involving the police.

Comment about a foolish neighbor misjudging actions in a situation involving noise complaint and turning tables.

Reddit comment about a noisy neighbor incident, supporting the stepmother's reaction.

And some chimed in with similar stories

Reddit post story about a noise complaint resulting in the neighbor's unexpected arrest.

Text describing a noisy neighbor causing chaos and being arrested when police are called.

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