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 Delaware, harassment by neighbors is addressed under various state statutes and local ordinances. If the behavior includes yelling obscenities, loud noises, threatening behavior, or property damage, it may fall under Delaware's criminal harassment laws, which prohibit a person from harassing, annoying, or alarming another person with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm. This can include following a person in public, engaging in alarming conduct, or communicating in a manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm. For noise-related issues, local noise ordinances typically set specific decibel limits and quiet hours. If a neighbor's conduct is threatening or abusive, it may be considered a criminal offense, and the police can be contacted for immediate assistance. In cases of stalking, trespassing, or peeping, these are criminal offenses that can be reported to law enforcement. Additionally, victims of such behaviors may seek a restraining order (also known as a protection from abuse order in Delaware) from the civil courts to legally prevent the neighbor from continuing the behavior. It's important to document incidents and, if possible, to attempt a courteous discussion to resolve the issue before escalating to legal action.