THEY FACED REPEATED POLICE VISITS, INTIMIDATION TACTICS, AND PHYSICAL ASSAULT AT THE HANDS OF THE SQUATTER.
With each passing day, Cynthia’s desperation mounted, and she decided to move in to protect her mother. They faced repeated police visits, intimidation tactics, and physical assault at the hands of the squatter. “The biggest problem was the police,” Cynthia laments. Despite providing evidence of assault and illegal occupation, law enforcement failed to intervene effectively, dismissing the situation as a mere civil matter. In her quest for justice, Cynthia turned to the Elder Abuse Court for recourse. In California, the court can grant a restraining order to stop someone who is abusing or neglecting an elderly or dependent adult. She detailed her case, and quickly received a court date. The Elder Abuse Court judge
was appalled when viewing the evidence and immediately issued a restraining order, forcing law enforcement to remove the squatter. “If you have one thing wrong, it all gets invalidated,” Cynthia cautions, underscoring the unforgiving nature of the legal system. “I advise anyone over the age of 65 in California dealing with a squatter to call 211 to report it.” The squatter in question was recommended by another one of her tenants so Cynthia believed she was in the clear. “You have to be really careful who you rent to,” she advises, emphasizing the importance of thorough background checks, even when it’s someone you know or a referral from a tenant.
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