WIBTA If I posted a video montage online of my neighbor throwing things in my yard?

In a quiet college town, where duplexes hum with student life, one backyard became a battleground. Picture a crisp autumn evening, leaves crunching underfoot, when a student discovers their neighbor—a university professor, no less—hurling branches over the fence like a rogue gardener. This isn’t a quirky misunderstanding but a saga of trespassing, broken tombstones, and heated words, leaving the student teetering on a bold move: posting a video montage online to expose it all.

The tension simmers with every tossed stick, each act chipping away at neighborly peace. Our protagonist, a college student managing their duplex, grapples with frustration and fear, wondering if public shaming is justice or a step too far. Readers can’t help but lean in, curious about where this backyard drama leads and what it says about handling pesky neighbors.

‘WIBTA If I posted a video montage online of my neighbor throwing things in my yard?’

My mom and I bought a duplex for me to manage and live in during my years in college. Bought the house in 2018, I moved in the summer of 2019. We installed a ring video security system, along with a front yard doorbell and backyard video floodlights. When I moved in, there were a ton of branches and limbs by my neighbors fence. That was odd since we only had one medium-sized tree, nearly ten feet from the fence.

Later that summer, the backyard ring camera caught the neighbor throwing branches over. We realized that that is where the huge pile came from. Halloween came around and my roommate and I decided to throw a party on Friday, November 1st. We tried to talk to Ms. Stick thrower, but they were not home during our three attempts. We left a note explaining it, along with our names and numbers.

The party was 30+ people coming and going, along with music and a beerpong table in the backyard. Cops were (rightfully) called at 11:45PM; we shut it down. The 4th, I was in class and got a front doorbell notification. It was Ms. Stick thrower pulling up my decorative styrofoam tombstones and throwing them behind my bushes. When I got home I saw that one was broken.

My roommate and I decided to call the non-emergency line about this, because obviously she had no respect for us, and this is the south so anyone could have a gun. A cop came out, we showed her everything, and we went to talk to the neighbor. Her fiancee opened the door, claimed she was not home despite her car being there.

Anyways, time went on and I noticed that she came into our backyard via a gate, which was deep in my backyard. This freaked me out, as video showed her smoking and wandering around my backyard. I put a carabiner on the gate to keep her out. End of November, I come home and see these huge limbs flying over the fence.

I get out, confront her, we argue, and she claims that she owns two feet of my backyard. She ends the conversation with 'Do you want to make these next four years a living hell?' Called the non-emergency number, and once again she hid from the cops. I found out that she is a professor at my university. I emailed the dean of students, told him everything and provided proof.

Their resources were useless, and I am beyond fed up. Cops say they can't do anything, despite video evidence and four no trespassing signs. I want her to stop.. We got a survey done, and she does NOT own two feet into my backyard.

I have edited together a video montage of her throwing limbs, branches, sticks, rocks, and cigarettes together, along with her trespassing in my backyard.. WIBTA if I posted this video online with the caption 'University Professor's Actions'?

Edit: I have spoken to my mom and we just sent an email, entailing all the details plus video, to her Dean. Also, I posted to legal advice. Edit: Wow, okay, really did not expect this to get so much traction. I appreciate everyone's advice, and I plan on making many calls tomorrow. The Dean's office reopens tomorrow as well, so I might hear back from them then.

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Not sure whats going on with my legal post, I'll try to fix it. There is also NO TREES/BRANCHES HANGING OVER THE FENCE. She is throwing branches from her yard into mine. In the beginning, I threw the branches back over, but they would magically appear with even more. So I gave up.. Final Update: Here’s a podcast I went on!

Neighbor disputes can turn backyards into battlefields, and this student’s ordeal is no exception. The professor’s actions—trespassing and tossing debris—smack of boundary violations, while the student’s urge to post a video online teeters between catharsis and escalation.

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Dr. John Duffy, a clinical psychologist, notes, “Unresolved neighbor conflicts often stem from miscommunication or unmet expectations, but repeated trespassing signals a deeper need for control” (Psychology Today). Here, the professor’s claim of “owning” part of the yard and threats of a “living hell” suggest a power play, possibly fueled by resentment toward rowdy students. The student’s party, while disruptive, doesn’t justify the professor’s retaliation.

This spat reflects broader issues of personal boundaries. A 2020 study in the Journal of Community Psychology found 25% of neighbor disputes involve property lines, often escalating when communication fails. The student’s attempts to confront the professor and involve authorities show restraint, but the professor’s refusal to engage blocks resolution.

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For solutions, Dr. Duffy’s advice to “set firm boundaries calmly” applies. The student could send a formal cease-and-desist letter, as suggested by Reddit, to establish legal intent. If escalation persists, small claims court for property damage is an option. Posting the video might feel satisfying but risks legal backlash, like defamation claims, especially with audio.

Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

Reddit’s hive mind didn’t hold back, serving up a mix of fiery support and cautious advice. Here’s a peek at the community’s hot takes—candid, clever, and occasionally chaotic:

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Lost_vob - NTA, but before you post it, see if r/legaladvice has any suggestions for you. They might have tips on how to force the cops or university into action, and posting that video would probably hurt you if there is any other solution.. But if legaladvice has nothing for you, I say post that s**t all over!

lyraterra - I would talk to a lawyer. They can send a cease and desist type letter and if your neighbor continues, then legal action can continue. No judgement.

singlechickLA - NTA - Contact the city attorney via email explaining the issue and numerous complaints. Send to the local news station, paper and university paper about local professor bullying students. Post to next door if they don’t pick it up.

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Include that you’ve asked police and city attorney for assistance and they haven’t done anything. Next have your parents call the university about how this professor is harassing the tenants aka son and roommates.

The city attorney might listen from the landowner about damage to property. Find out if she rents or owns the property. If she rents have your parents call and complain about the damage and that they will hold them liable. Also reach out to your city council member (landowners) that they are concerned about the damage to property, threat to tenants and her vandalism is this ‘really someone who should be shaping young minds’.

But really her behavior is odd. I’m not sure if she resents that students are living next to her or that your parents bought the house for you. Who knows that might have been the one she wanted and is furious college students get to live in it. But they doesn’t matter her behavior is outside the norm.

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[Reddit User] - NTA. Send it to your local news channel. Call them and say you have a story.

SaulGlo - NTA. I don't see what state you are in, but in many places what you could do is send her a 'trespass notice' informing her that she is not welcome on your property and if she enters your property again you will jave her arrested for trespass. That might or might not prompt the police to arrest her later if she returns.

If the police still don't do anything, you can sue her for trespass and/or nuisance and request an injunction and/or money damages. But posting the video is probably legal, she wouldn't have an expectation of privacy in your backyard. I'm assuming it's without audio, if there's audio of her talking there may be other state laws at play.

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GlassicNerd - Nta, shame her ass

scooter389 - NTA, you should tag her and the university. Not sure it will help anything, but go for it.

chrisfromohio123 - Nta post the video link here please

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bookluvr83 - NTA, but when you post the video on YouTube, also post it to r/imatotalpieceofshit or r/mildlyinfuriating so that we can enjoy it

stienbabe - Be very, *very* careful about the legality of what you're thinking of doing here. Otherwise NTA.

These Reddit opinions run the gamut, but do they capture the full picture, or are they just fanning the flames?

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This backyard saga leaves us pondering: where’s the line between standing your ground and stirring the pot? The student’s impulse to go viral with their neighbor’s antics is tempting, but is it the wisest move? With boundaries crossed and tempers flaring, this story begs for reflection. What would you do if your neighbor turned your yard into their personal dumping ground? Share your thoughts—let’s unpack this drama together!

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