LETTER: How can I trespass from the hospital?

I am writing because I feel betrayed by RRPD. I called them because I saw my neighbor trespassing on my property via my security cameras. I have been hospitalized with health problems for approximately a week now. I called RRPD to try to stop this trespassing while I was away. I suspect my neighbor of taking advantage of my absence — The neighbor decided to put up a fence between our properties. She had workmen on her property as well as mine.

The officer I spoke with said he would give her a “No Trespass” order regarding my property. I am not sure exactly what transpired when he talked to the neighbor, but I was the one who wound up getting a No Trespass order. Supposedly he gave her one, too. At this point, I don’t believe anything they say.

OK, how did I get a No Trespass order when I was not even there? I called to ask that. I was told it is RRPD policy that they have to give it, if requested.

It doesn’t matter if you are laid up in the hospital or not around. RRPD said no evidence was needed — you will get one if you request it.

This was news to me. So folks, if you don’t like your neighbor, relative or a friend’s friend, just request a No Trespass order from RRPD and they are obligated to give it.

My neighbor told the officer she had a permit for the fence. When I asked if he saw it, he responded, “That’s not my job.” I mean, what exactly is his job? From my point of view, I thought it was to protect and serve. OK, I understand it is the job of code enforcement or related city office to issue these things, but I didn’t ask him to do that. No, he accepted on face value she had a permit. He apparently didn’t care if she was lying or not. After all, we all know that people don’t lie to the police. For that matter, we also know the police never lie to us. Right?

So here I am, flat on my back in the hospital, but the police apparently decided that doesn’t matter. They apparently wouldn’t care if I was dead. They just had to give the neighbor a No Trespass order because she asked for it. It didn’t even matter that I had evidence of her trespassing via my security camera. No — apparently I am the bad guy here.

Everyone who has heard this asked the same question: “How can they say you were trespassing when you weren’t even there?”

Apart from the absurdity of it, it is just downright mean-spirited. Being in the hospital is stressful, and a situation like this adds unnecessary stress-to say the least. I was looking forward to going home. But maybe I am better off in the hospital with no one to harass me and no police to make it worse.

Cynthia Sinclair

Rio Rancho