Quite a heavy topic. I've recently learned that one of our neighbors a few houses down has some mental health disorder(s). The reason I know this is because his behavior has really deteriorated the past 1-2 months, and its affecting the streets around us. Trying to figure out how to handle it - or if there's anything we can do.
The skinny: Guy is in his 40s or maybe 50s and lives by himself. While I don't know him well at all, my impression of him prior to these events was that he was just socially awkward, perhaps on the spectrum. Real shy, dresses funny (often in the same, old outfits), and when he does talk, he rambles. Reminds me of this character from Tim and Eric's Awesome Show, Great Job.
Lately, his behavior has become more erratic. It began with him loitering in the alleys and eventually evolved into following (far) behind people as they walked their dogs. Lately, some neighbors have caught him standing in front of their house with his phone out, perhaps filming (sometimes past midnight). Someone reported seeing him as late as 3 AM, pacing around the streets with a duffle bag. He has also knocked on neighbor's doors and asked them non-sensical questions before abruptly leaving.
Perhaps the oddest behavior is that he's developed this really deep stare he does towards people. He doesn't respond - not even if you say "hello, (name!)" or ask him a direct question. Instead, he just keeps a rigid gaze fixed on you, hardly showing any emotion, like The Happening. He did it to me, and it felt like he wanted to rip my heart out.
While his behavior has been pretty disturbing, he hasn't really done anything "wrong"...yet. But we have no idea what's going on in his mind. I've spoken to 5 different houses who have stories about him. Some are less worried, others very concerned for themselves and for him.
What are some actual steps we can take, if any, to try and curtail his behavior from spiraling even more?
The skinny: Guy is in his 40s or maybe 50s and lives by himself. While I don't know him well at all, my impression of him prior to these events was that he was just socially awkward, perhaps on the spectrum. Real shy, dresses funny (often in the same, old outfits), and when he does talk, he rambles. Reminds me of this character from Tim and Eric's Awesome Show, Great Job.
Lately, his behavior has become more erratic. It began with him loitering in the alleys and eventually evolved into following (far) behind people as they walked their dogs. Lately, some neighbors have caught him standing in front of their house with his phone out, perhaps filming (sometimes past midnight). Someone reported seeing him as late as 3 AM, pacing around the streets with a duffle bag. He has also knocked on neighbor's doors and asked them non-sensical questions before abruptly leaving.
Perhaps the oddest behavior is that he's developed this really deep stare he does towards people. He doesn't respond - not even if you say "hello, (name!)" or ask him a direct question. Instead, he just keeps a rigid gaze fixed on you, hardly showing any emotion, like The Happening. He did it to me, and it felt like he wanted to rip my heart out.
While his behavior has been pretty disturbing, he hasn't really done anything "wrong"...yet. But we have no idea what's going on in his mind. I've spoken to 5 different houses who have stories about him. Some are less worried, others very concerned for themselves and for him.
What are some actual steps we can take, if any, to try and curtail his behavior from spiraling even more?
