Harassment by neighbors can take many forms, including yelling obscenities; loud and disruptive noises (especially at night) from parties, fights, or other activities; threatening or abusive behavior; or damage to your home or yard by pets.

If your neighbor’s behavior is merely annoying and not abusive, threatening, or criminal conduct, you may be able to resolve the issue with a courteous discussion. But if your neighbor’s conduct is threatening, abusive, violates a noise ordinance, or is a criminal offense such as stalking, trespassing, or peeping, for example, you may be able to get assistance from the police (call 911 in an emergency) or from the civil courts in the form of a restraining order.

In Arkansas, harassment by neighbors is addressed under various laws depending on the severity and nature of the conduct. For behaviors that are annoying but not criminal, such as minor noise complaints, it is often recommended to attempt to resolve the issue through direct communication with the neighbor. However, when the behavior escalates to threatening, abusive, or criminal conduct, such as stalking, trespassing, or excessive noise that violates local ordinances, legal intervention may be necessary. Victims can contact law enforcement, especially in emergencies by dialing 911. For ongoing issues, victims may seek a restraining order or protection order from the civil courts to legally prohibit the neighbor from continuing the harassing behavior. It's important to document incidents of harassment as they may be required as evidence in court proceedings.