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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you report this as a possible drunk driver?

124 replies

RudeBarbandCustard · 03/04/2017 01:35

I have recently had a new neighbour move in to the flat below mine. In the 2 months since they've lived there, I've only set eyes on them twice - they're a couple, seemed friendly enough when I said hello last week.

They seem odd in that their curtains are permanently closed on their flat, and at night time there's never any light escaping from their windows. They never sit out on their balcony, even when the weather is lovely. They just seem to sit inside in darkness.

My flat overlooks the parking area, and they emerge every few days, drive away, and return within about 30 mins - so I assume they just pop to the shops every now and then. I've no idea if they work.

Today, our recycling bins went out and theirs is absolutely overflowing with cans of cheapo cider - all the same brand. An entire recycling box full - there must be 50+ cans in there. Surely they've been building up a while, I can't imagine anyone could have drunk them all in a week (since the bins last went out ). Nothing else in the recycling bin, just cans (I didn't rummage - I could see this because the lid won't fit on it because it's literally overflowing)

So putting 2 and 2 together, I'm guessing that the trips out in the car are likely to be to stock up on more cider from the local offie. It's not a difficult stretch to then imagine that they may not be entirely sober when they venture out.

Would I be unreasonable to report their number plate to 101 for the police to potentially breathalyze them the next time they spot them...?

My kids play on their bikes in that parking area, the thought of anyone driving around pissed just makes my blood run cold.

OP posts:
claraschu · 03/04/2017 09:47

I put 250 beer cans in my recycling a few weeks ago. I picked them up walking along our road, cleaning up other people's rubbish.

SlothMama · 03/04/2017 09:47

Unless you see them drunk and get into their car to drive away then you are wasting the Police's time.

FrenchLavender · 03/04/2017 09:48

They might have very thick blackout curtains.

They might work night shifts.

They might be vampires.

They might be really lazy at putting their recycling out and don't do it for weeks on end.

They might have had a party.

They might be alcoholics, they might not be.

They might be drink driving, they might not be.

You don't have enough to go on either way but you sound like a right old curtain twitcher.

ArriettyClock1 · 03/04/2017 09:52

That's quite unbelievably nosey!

Stop making assumptions and mind your own business.

Our recycling bin is always full of wine bottles after 2 weeks, and yet we manage to never drink and drive. Glad you're not my neighbour.

ExConstance · 03/04/2017 09:55

We seem to hoard bottles in our utility room for weeks before we actually put them out in the recycling bin, some weeks it looks as if we line on wine and nothing else. If our neighbours reported us in this nonsensical way there would be a pretty frosty future ahead for them. OP you are the ultimate nosey neighbour and - as a former criminal defence solicitor - I'd confirm that on the basis of this "evidence" the police would probably laugh once you were off the phone.

ScaryMonstersandSuperCreeps · 03/04/2017 09:57

How do you know they both drink? Hmm

brickinitIam · 03/04/2017 09:59

You would have a field day where I live.
On recycling day the boxes are usually normally overflowing with wine and beer bottles.
It's a naice area as well Grin
I notice because of the walking my dog. I don't automatically think 'Alkie' I think, 'looks like they had a good weekend'.
Either way it's none of my business.

OP, in the nicest possible way, I suggest you get a hobby and stop curtain twitching on your neighbours.

Oysterbabe · 03/04/2017 10:18

Christ on a bike there are some nosy busy bodies in this world.

Is your real gripe that they keep their curtains closed so you can't add further details to your activity log?
9:58pm They watch Emmerdale on catch up while drinking Thatchers. Clearly deviant behaviour.

Mind your own business fgs.

paxillin · 03/04/2017 10:26

God I sound like a massive curtain twitcher don't I?

You do. About the biggest curtain twitcher I have ever heard of. You record their daily movements, the state of their window dressings and lights, their weekly movement right down to times ventured out of the house and the content of the bins.

I'd keep my curtains closed and wear a Zorro mask if I was your neighbour.

Trifleorbust · 03/04/2017 10:32

About the biggest curtain twitcher I have ever heard of. You record their daily movements, the state of their window dressings and lights, their weekly movement right down to times ventured out of the house and the content of the bins.

There are anti-stalking laws, you know, OP. They might be considering 101 themselves if they read this!

dunnodunnodunno · 03/04/2017 10:35

God almighty, I've heard it all now!!

Yes OP, phone 101. Maybe you'll get done for wasting police time. Wouldn't that bring some excitement to your desperately dull life.

shesnotme · 03/04/2017 10:39

Why do you let your kids play in a car park?

ShowMeWhatYouGot · 03/04/2017 10:45

Maybe, just maybe, "no light escapes the curtains, even at night" because they work night shifts somewhere? And sleep during the day? Could it be possible they car poole?

Or are you 100% sure they are just jobless drunks because of some cans?

CalmItKermitt · 03/04/2017 10:47

Go ahead and report. Not sure why you're getting such a hard time 🙄
If they're not drink driving there's nothing to worry about and they won't be over the limit.

RachelRagged · 03/04/2017 10:50
Hmm

Such a busybody.

Swirlingasong · 03/04/2017 10:51

I once put out a recycling box overflowing with identical cans. I had helped organise a community event at which alcohol was available and preferred to bring them home to recycle rather than put them in landfill.

Do you really have their flat under constant surveillance? There are some good series on iPlayer at the moment. Maybe try one?

SparklyMagpie · 03/04/2017 10:57

Grin I think they should log with 101 for you being a busy body

SparklyMagpie · 03/04/2017 10:57

No wonder they keep their curtains closed!

KittysMyName · 03/04/2017 10:59

You have too much time on your hands. You have jumped to a massive conclusion there OP. Just let them get on with their lives!

Imamouseduh · 03/04/2017 11:31

I literally cannot believe how many people on here are saying 'go ahead and report it, what's the harm'. This confirms a sneaking suspicion I have that AIBU has completely jumped the shark and is full of complete and utter nut jobs.

Trifleorbust · 03/04/2017 11:35

AIBU has completely jumped the shark

I am laughing out loud at this. Agreed! The idea that anyone would think this was rational, let alone reasonable, is beyond awful and ridiculous.

Meekonsandwich · 03/04/2017 11:45

They could have missed a few weeks of recycling, you've seen their bin once! They could have had family or friends round?

They could suffer with migraines? They could be disabled? They could be gamers and don't like the light on their screens?!

Don't be a busy body unless you know for sure.

Meekonsandwich · 03/04/2017 11:46

Also Jesus DO NOT confront them to see if they're drunk,

You can have diabetes, or a brain injury, or cerebral palsy, or a speech impediment and "appear" drunk?!

MargaretCavendish · 03/04/2017 11:48

Go ahead and report. Not sure why you're getting such a hard time 🙄
If they're not drink driving there's nothing to worry about and they won't be over the limit.

Yes, no harm at all because police time is an endless resource.

BantyCustards · 03/04/2017 11:49

Honestly I think you need to take a step back and seriously consider your thought process here.

YABVU