Yishun residents at Block 112 Yishun Ring Road been living very stressfully, they are at their wits’ end after being harassed by the sunglass auntie for over a year, with one family going as far as to build a “wall” barbed with cacti on the common corridor for protection.
The 61-year-old man who built the structure said that he used recycled materials for the wall.
“I used recycled materials and built it within 5 hours. Wood planks, pipes and other items which I got from outside.
I planted the cactus myself and it was quite useful. I used durian husks for a while, but they started to stink after a few days, so i switched to using cactus.”
Not bad, this uncle also knows how to Reuse, Reduce, Recycle.
It seems the wall has managed to keep the Yishun sunglasses auntie at a distance.
But the Yishun: Nee Soon Town Council has asked for it to be removed as it is a fire hazard.
A spokesman for the town council said it is engaging the residents involved and has suggested mediation and legal options to the affected neighbours.
This was the last resort for them after having had to deal with the difficult neighbour since last December 2016.
They come home nearly every day to find an oil-like substance reeking of urine splashed across their door and along the corridor.
Balls of toilet paper and used sanitary pads have also been found outside their flat and on their bicycle chained outside. The culprit, they said, lives on the floor below them with her daughter.
In an interview published by The Straits Times, IT consultant Edmund Lee, who lives with his sister and parents, said they first noticed the woman wearing sunglasses lurking along the corridor outside their flat last year. They installed a closed-circuit television camera outside their unit in February and video footage showed that she had been dirtying their corridor in the early morning hours, Mr Lee said to the reporter.
“The oil is very slippery and dangerous,” said Madam Yeo, a cashier.
LIVING IN FEAR
If we remove it she can come to our doorstep and start a fire, which is more dangerous.
The police confirmed that reports have been lodged and said investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the National Environment Agency said that it has requested interviews with the parties.
“We have even thought of moving out after living here for 30 years, but who will want to buy (our flat)?” said Mr Lee
Resolving disputes between neighbours
- Feuding neighbours who cannot resolve their issues on their own or with the help of grassroots leaders can approach the Community Mediation Centre, which aims to resolve disputes without litigation.
- Examples of disputes include complaints of excessive noise, smell or smoke, littering at or in the vicinity of the complainant’s place of residence, and trespassing.
- But there is little the authorities can do if the neighbours do not want to make up or even turn up for mediation.
- If mediation does not solve the problem, parties can file a claim with the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals.
- The tribunals, which are given powers to resolve disputes between neighbours under the Community Disputes Resolution Act passed in 2015, can order the payment of damages up to $20,000. It can also order a neighbour to stop an action or to apologise.
- Supporting evidence, such as photographs, video and audio recordings and police reports, can be brought before the tribunal. If the neighbour refuses to comply with the court order, further legal steps may be taken.
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