Rotten Neighbors

Rotten Neighbors

ABC News – Channel 7



November 27, 2007 - Posting complaints about your neighbors is just one part of what's known as on-line shaming. In June, ABC7 told you about people who embarrass their friends and enemies on the web in our special segment "Cyber Smearing." Now, a cybersmearing site that attacks "rotten neighbors," is at 41 million users and counting.



Litter . Drugs. Inconsiderate neighbors. Now people are logging on to air out their dirty neighborhood laundry. The website is called RottenNeighbor.com (http://www.rottenneighbor.com/).



Some local complaints get downright nasty. One on the city's Northwest Side claims that neighbors are dealers, junkies and --- we can't print the last descriptive. The complaint alleges people yelling obscenities, fighting and leaving used needles in the alley. This neighbor did not post the complaint but says it's true.



"I have been here 5 years and it affects me because I have little ones," said Angelina Barreia, neighbor.



The website was created by a San Diego web designer over the summer. He had rotten neighbors of his own.



"Some real estate agents don't want it, they don't like it, think it will hurt their business. People looking to buy homes love it. Some people looking to sell homes think it will bring their values down," said Brant Walker, RottenNeighbor.com.



The Chicago Association of Realtors discourages homeowners from using the site - even though exact addresses are usually not listed, users can zoom all the way down to specific blocks and homes, with Google satellite map imagery.



"If you complain about your street or your condo building -- and you complain publically about it -- you are going to create concern from potential buyers, which, in turn, can effect the value not only of your neighbor's unit but your unit as well," said Michael Golden, Chicago Association of Realtors.



Real estate agents say neighbors should try to talk to each other face to face - or mediate problems with a condo or neighborhood association. You can also call your alderman or police about serious issues instead of telling the world on line.



"To me it seems almost caddy - like 'I am telling on you,'" said Gerilyn Gordan.



These college students in Lincoln Park don't think posting problems will have any effect. One of their neighbors is on it for allegedly playing loud music until 4 a.m.



"They are not going to stop because someone blogged about them," said Kateland Vandiver.



What sounds like scoop could be false.



"We all know there are at least three sides to every story and basically you are getting just one side," said Golden.



Grant Dietmeier, for example, disputes a posting about excessive noise on his block.



"I think its a great place to live. Very safe, very quiet, wonderful neighborhood," said Dietmeier.



Walker said video and pictures will be added to his site in a few weeks. As far as legal liability goes for smearing online- only the person posting false information can be sued and, in most cases, laws don't hold websites accountable.



Source: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=special_coverage&id=5787689





http://www.rottenneighbor.com/





New York Post article about the site:

RIP THY NEIGHBOR: BLAST NUISANCE NEXT DOOR ON NEW WEB SITE

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10012007/news/regionalnews/rip_thy_neighbor.htm