WIBU to report them?

[thatmakesmehappy]

We live in a nice semi-rural area. It's a lovely community focussed village, and on the whole we get on with our neighbours well, or just ignore each other, which works well. We have 3 young kids (6,4,2y) and since lockdown have been using the garden non stop. Our garden isn't that big, and backs straight onto the house behind us.

Now onto the issue. The house behind is a young couple with 2 young kids, one must be 3ish and the other 1 and a half ish. The male of the house smokes weed in the garden. We started noticing it around November time and he does it most evenings. It didn't really bother us too much as the kids were in bed and not using the garden late at night, but since lockdown and the nice weather, and I guess he's home more at the minute, he's now doing it in the day and at night. We've had to stop using the garden and close the house up because it stinks and we don't want the kids exposed to it. It's every day now and it's driving me round the bend. I think it's inconsiderate knowing that their neighbours on every side have kids and have been using their gardens lots in this nice weather. Plus, he's smoking with their back door open so their house must stink of it too and their kids must be exposed.

Now, we have no idea what their circumstances are, if maybe he has some sort of condition what allows him to do it legally, or maybe he has a very stressful job (not sure why that would excuse him doing something illegal but some may thing that's okay) and I should mind my own beeswax.

Now onto my WIBU, WIBU to report them? Not only because it pisses me off, but also because it must also be affecting their children too? Or should I just get on with it and live and let live.

Maybe have a chat with him first?

I wouldn’t but I’d have word about him smoking in the day and ask him to not do that

And say what? That it's really unpleasant for us that that if he continues we'd have to report them?

I wouldn’t, they will probably know it’s you and make your life hell. Up to you though.

Mind your own business, obviously have too much time on your hands What a killjoy.

Who are you thinking of reporting them to ?

Report them to who? The police won't give a shit about someone having a spliff in their own garden.

Definitely talk to him first

Pumpkin this is what made me not want to go and talk to them about it. If they ignore what we said, I'd feel like I'd have to report them anyway and then they could make our lives hell.
It could potentially be one of 8 households that reports them, and I don't think we'd be the first suspicion.

Sorry just seen your latest comment! Just say you can smell it, it makes you feel queasy and would he mind not smoking weed in the garden.
Either way, he's probably going to know it was you that reported them, that's if who you report it to does respond, they don't always for reports like that ime

I would just report them especially if they have kids I know mumsnet loves a weed smoker but personally I dont it fucking stinks and it's the reason my children havent used the garden for years (that and there children steal from my house if my door is unlocked)

Police won’t do a thing

Police walk past ours regularly and never bother, there's a few smoke in our street.
Lots of Doctors, Lawyers, retired business people, and a nice area too.
Most of those who smoke grow their own in their garden sheds, or lofts.
We have a small plant for personal use.
I doubt your kids will be stoned from a neighbour smoking outside.
The gardens must be tiny if he's at the bottom of his and it will reach the house, thats about 2m.

I would just say “would you mind not smoking outside in the day, given we can’t go anywhere the children are spending a lot more time in the garden”

Don’t like a weed smoker but equally the police won’t do anything.

I wouldn't report them.

CCkA they do care around here. There's been other households in the village who have had visits about drug usage.

Devlesko well yeah I have got too much time on my hands with this lockdown, haven't the rest of you? That's kind of the point, I'm doing nothing in my garden with my kids and I can't even enjoy it because of them. It's not like I'm ranting about them having a bbq

Drug usage as in crack or heroin?

Does any police force care about smoking weed in your home?

Thanks onlyfools for the constructive advice, I might go down that route.

CCkA it's not IN their home though, it's in their garden and it's not just me that's bothered by it, my neighbours on both sides have also commented at how it's horrid.

Slippery thank you! I was starting to think I was unreasonable for not wanting my young children exposed to illegal drugs. I don't care that it's for recreational use or that 'loads of professionals do it', it's illegal and smells disgusting. My garden isn't very big, and it really does travel from him sitting at his back door, right through the house. It doesn't help that where we are there is almost always a breeze, so it probably travels further than it might.

All you need to do is say 'Look, I need to tell you something - you can smell your weed from the end of the street. I'd take it indoors if I were you, there are some people round here who'll call the police for the slightest thing and I'd hate for you to get into trouble'. Bet that sorts it.

Vicious ooo I like that route! I know one of the neighbours reported someone for smoking in their car in the car park nearby a week or 2 ago, so that's not far wrong!

Maybe ask him for one OP? It’ll chill you out a bit more

I have the same problem. I live in a flat and the guy below us is out on the balcony 5 or 6 times per day smoking weed. While he's there we can't be on our balcony and have to close all tge doors and windows but the smell still gets through. I've considered reporting to social services as his toddler is obviously being exposed to drug use and he's under the influence of drugs while looking after him but I don't actually know if social services will care. Before the lockdown I would tell myself he was probably doing it while the kid was out but now we aren't allowed out I know the child is at home all day. Following this thread with interest as I haven't decided what to do.

Ok so you don't like the smell, but really the drift of it over the fence is not going to affect your kids
There's no need to be a fanny about it and drag everyone inside.