To hope for a solution to this nuisance callers problem?

[Graphista]

Hoping one of you can give me an idea of how to sort this issue.

I live alone in a secure entry (supposedly!) block of flats. It's a deprived area with a lot of addiction issues.

Last winter I had a lot of people calling at mine (either buzzing the door entry buzzer OR even worse if stupid neighbours just let in anyone at the main door at my actual flat door) who were clearly drunk/high and mistakenly coming to my address at ALL hours. Especially at weekends.

It's annoying mostly but on occasion when the people calling would get aggressive/threatening I had to call the police to get them moved on.

It seems it's bloody starting again!

I've spoken to landlords and police last time on several occasions and to be honest they were very little help!

I believe what's happening is that someone is dealing drugs from the same number flat as mine in a neighbouring block (the block numbering isn't very clear!) and their "customers" are coming here by mistake.

I have wracked my brains to try and think of a solution (though to be honest I just wish the police were more effective and shut the likely dealer down!!) but I'm at a loss.

The stupid buzzer entry thing can be turned off but the turning off action only works for about 3 hours at a time and then comes on again (no idea why this is! Apparently not a fault designed this way) so I can turn it off but only works for a few hours and is no use at all when idiot neighbours let any fucker in!

Landlords have sent out several letters AND put a notice up reminding residents not to just let anyone in but certain neighbours are clearly ignoring this.

Any ideas?

At this point I'm seriously tempted to put a notice on my door saying "no drugs here!" But that wouldn't solve the buzzer issue and to be quite honest the state some of them appear in they can barely understand me SAYING they have the wrong place so I'm not sure they're up to reading!

So so annoying but also frightening!

Please help wise and worldly mners

Is it possible to put up some mean looking notices? Guard dog - Beware sort of thing? Keyhole camera? A recording you could play which threatens to call the police?

Might sound a bit OTT but you can get something like this OP? Might make them think twice.

Is there enough space on your door buzzer to put a sticker over it saying broken or something? Then only people who you are expecting might press it if you tell them it is working?

Thanks for the thoughts but none of those things would work in my situation I'm afraid. Can't put any notices up as nowhere to put them and think I'd be breaching local by laws/tenancy rules with some of them!

The buzzer has my name on which is clearly not the name they're looking for I don't think they even read it! Bear in mind these are likely addicts that are high when they come here or desperate for a fix!

Even when police come to move them on they end up more physically moving them (not aggressively so but because they can sometimes barely walk) than getting through to them verbally

So if you are number 19 in one block,the dealer lives at number 19 in the next block over? Could you contact him and tell him.his customers keep coming to you?
I actually like your idea of the big no drugs sign, perhaps add directions to the dealer!s gaf!

I had a similar problem a couple of years ago, I moved into a house that the local drug dealer used to live in (I didn’t know!) and I would get people knocking/banging all through the night, shouting through the letter box and allsorts

I was a lone mother with 2 DC so it was terrifying, it died down over time but every now and then I’ll get one

I put CCTV signs up and beware of the dog ones (even if you don’t have either of those things). Although if you can’t have signs that makes it a lot harder

Just wanted to send some sympathy, I totally know what you mean when they’re too off their face to even understand they’ve got the wrong place! They would always just go “but is suchandsuch in?” over and over

Is there a way of disabling the bell in your flat so it doesn't ring? Does it have a fuse that can be removed? Assume its wired in so you can't just remove the battery? Sounds awful, sorry you're living like that. Could you lobby for better signing of the blocks? Keep a diary of the problem and perhaps try to get environmental health involved? Or your MP/ local councillor.

I'd genuinely fear for my personal safety around here if I tried that!

Even the police warned me against doing so - even though I never even mentioned to them!

Regular stabbings and shootings even of people that have done something as benign as writing into local paper regarding the drug issues.

Someone was murdered just the other month for complaining about the noise of frequent such visitors to another block of flats up the road.

Hate it here!

disconnect the bell, or set it to silent, and tell people you want to see to call or text for entry?

"They would always just go “but is suchandsuch in?” over and over"

Yep that's pretty much what I'm getting! Or they just keep repeating the dealers name (first name very common) at me as if it'll make them appear! Or even I think as if they think I'm hiding them? So so weird and so scary

@Sycamoretrees I've had those discussions with landlords and council re signage they couldn't be less interested.

Buzzer can be turned off for 3 hours at a time but that doesn't deal with numpty neighbours letting any old stranger in the main door! Or when the off function defaults to on and I'm buzzed at 4am!

Sympathies to you too it's awful!

Glad it's largely improved for you, I thought it had stopped here too.

I'm sorry they council and landlords aren't helping, although unfortunately I'm not surprised. Is there a way to break the bell in your flat so it doesn't work at all? Appreciate it doesn't solve all the problem though.

I wouldn't know how! Plus I need it working as I'm housebound and dependent on deliveries I just don't need these fannies calling!

Ah, that does make it even harder. I'm sorry you're in this situation. Could you maybe cushion the bell with something to deaden the sound at night?

that sounds so stressful! Can you somehow muffle the buzzer sound in your flat? Although that won’t stop people hanging you door when other tenants let them into the building

I don’t know the layout of your front door but can’t you put something on the buzzer so they think before touching it. You can put a sign up at the front door saying Block A and half a doused times (assuming they go to the wrong block)? Note on your own front door as well? Why do you have your name on the buzzer, f that.