From the Forum: A Man in an Unmarked Van Sawed My Sidewalk

A man in an unmarked white van sawed a crack into a Brownstoner reader’s newly redone sidewalk.

soundhoner writes:

So I happened to be at home today, and I heard a saw sound so went outside. A shady looking individual, with a white unmarked van parked right in front, sawed into my sidewalk. Confused, I asked him what he was doing and he mumbled something unintelligible. Asking for clarification, he said the word “caulking”. Angrily.

I didn’t really pay much attention to it, but I realized later I really should have. After he left I saw a random crack. This sidewalk was just completely redone a few months ago when the city installed the bioswale.

Then I remembered. When I first bought this place, there was a violation on the sidewalk and the broker had told me a ‘neighborhood guy’ was going around creating cracks and calling up violations in order to try to push his own business. I feel dumb for not running over and taking a picture of the license plate.

Should I call the police and describe the incident? This is really bizarre to me, but I also don’t want a violation on there that will cost me hundreds to repair. Also the sidewalk was perfect! What kind of shady nonsense is this and what do you recommend?

What’s the next step here? Has this happened to you? Share your thoughts in the original post.

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