Virginia Black woman claims her neighbor makes monkey noises and uses racial slurs to make fun of her family. Authorities say they have no control over it.
Jannique Martinez, a woman from Virginia Beach, claims her family and neighbors have been harassed in their Virginia Beach neighborhood for over a year. WAVY of Norfolk, NBC affiliate, reported.
"Every time we stepped out of our home, the monkey sounds would begin. It is so racist and disgusting. It's so racist, and it's disgusting. I don't even know how else to explain it," Martinez said.
IMAGE: Jannique Martinez (WAVY)
NBC News was unable to reach her immediately for comment on Thursday.
Officials from the city described the neighbor's actions as offensive, but not criminal.
Martinez stated that Martinez's neighbor also monitors her family's movements using multiple home cameras and blinking light, which appear to be connected to sensors.
Martinez said that her neighbor was harassing Martinez after Martinez reported him for playing loud music.
"He discovered that we called police to ask him to stop playing the music one morning. Martinez stated that the N-word has been playing nonstop since Martinez's call. He is terrifying to my son. Terrified!
A NBC News request for comment from the Virginia Beach Police Department was not immediately answered by them.
Wednesday's statement by the police department described the behavior of the neighbor as "appalling", "offensive" or "unpleasant."
However, the statement stated that there was not much police could do. It stated that "The city attorney" and "Virginia magistrates" had determined that the reported actions did not rise above what Virginia law considers criminal behavior. "This means that the VBPD does not have the authority to intervene, and warrants are not supported."
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WAVY's reporter tried to contact the neighbor by knocking at his front door. But no one answered.
Martinez said that she was frustrated after trying to find solutions in the civil and criminal courts. Martinez claimed that her family is not being protected by the system. Authorities told her that her neighbor has not threatened or assaulted her family.
She said, "I've done everything I can to make it right." "I have served 11 years in the military. My husband is also a veteran. We fought for this nation, but there isn't anyone to fight for us."
