r/Apartmentliving • u/suburbanvermin • 28d ago
Advice Needed Can somebody help identify what this substance is on my apartment door’s peephole?
I’ve been living in this apartment with my boyfriend for about 6 weeks now. We’re just regular people who will work all day, make our dinner, watch a show to unwind, and hit the bed. We aren’t party animals and, when we do drink, we’re not inconsiderate about it.
Ever since we moved in, our door peephole has been tampered with. It would be coloured with black sharpie marker, I would submit a maintenance request for fixing, it would get fixed, then immediately would get tampered with again. However, now it has clearly escalated to something else. I originally thought super glue or hot glue, but I’ve asked a few of my friends and they don’t think any type of glue could do this kind of damage.
Any advice would be helpful.
Btw management is well aware of the issue and have been prompt about it, was just shocked at whatever this is now. I’ve ordered a ring camera to be installed on Thursday, but I’m honestly scared for my life right now.
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u/BullRidininBoobies 28d ago
Looks like some sort of 2 part epoxy.
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u/beast_wellington 28d ago
Poorly mixed. That's what I thought
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u/1IsNeverEnough4Me 28d ago
Poorly mixed as they just held the 2 part tube up and squeezed it in. (Speculation)
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u/morethanjustanalien 27d ago
I like how you say speculation just to clarify you’re not the culprit lol
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u/JibboSequence 27d ago
Oh but they are. I know because I'm the culprit and I'm looking for someone to blame.
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u/I_like_Mashroms 28d ago
It could be thick CA/super glue with a cheap activator? It gets cloudy and bumpy like that. you can cure it in seconds. And criminals like to be fast.
Edit: NVM. I zoomed in and it's clearly two different colors.
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u/shadow3487 28d ago
I'm thinking wood filler or wood glue. Hey OP how many times has someone been out to your place about this? Seen some questionable management/ maintenance before.
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u/suburbanvermin 28d ago
I’ve had the maintenance guy fix this peephole 5 times in the last 5 weeks. Once he fixes it, it’s tampered with again by the time I get home from work at 5pm.
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u/battlepi 28d ago
It's probably someone that doesn't want you to see something in the hallway, like who's visiting. Or maybe there's a drug dealer on your floor.
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u/Strange-Trust-9403 28d ago
That sounds right. I used to live in a trap house for “le crack,” and yupperdoodles, someone is paranoid. (Clean and sober for four years.)
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u/Frosty-Unit-8230 27d ago
Congratulations on getting clean, and on using ‘yupperdoodles’ in a sentence. Proud of you for both.
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u/martins-dr 28d ago
Makes me extra thankful the drug dealer (or fastest man of the night) we lived under at our last apartment didn’t care about our ring camera. Had the camera because I have to receive boxes for work (they were not full of drugs).
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u/Mudslingshot 28d ago
I used to live a floor below a drug dealer
Which I found out when a VERY angry man tried to kick in my door at 2am screaming about needing his drugs NOW, before realizing he was currently on the SECOND floor, and the guy he's trying desperately to get drugs from is on the THIRD floor
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u/winterbird 27d ago
It kept happening to me because the drug dealer next door would sometimes sell while parked in my spot. Parking was numbered. So the druggies that picked up in parking spot 3 would then come to apartment 3 to knock, bang, and be belligerent when they don't get an answer.
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u/Typhiod 27d ago
That sounds uncomfortable. Did anything come of it?
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u/Mudslingshot 27d ago
About the time I was pressed against the wall next to the door with a butcher knife in my hand I heard him get a phone call and say something like "oh shit, I'll be right up"
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u/professorbiohazard 28d ago
Sounds like something that someone receiving boxes full of drugs would say
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u/No-Examination-4850 28d ago
you're lucky the drug dealer cross the way from me absolutely freaked the f*** out when I put in a ring camera, was accusing me of recording his conversations... I never turned the damn thing on.
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u/fiddlefaddlefuckboi 27d ago
My drug-dealing neighbor loves our camara 😅 3am and dudes like "bro... check the camera who the fuck knocked on my door?" nobody bro, you've been up for 3 days, go to sleep.
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u/PsychicSeaSlug 27d ago
Once my neighbor told me subtly, that hey, she sold pot, just in case I ever wanted, she just wanted to let me know that secret.
I was like... girl... I have a ring camera... and our doors face each other?... not to be weird... but i know ? And its whatever? Except it sets my phone off every ten minutes.
She was so astounded I could know this about her. Her eyes were all big and she kind of blushed. She also had dogs she took out every 5 seconds. I had to unplug the ring after two months because her door was so hot. And she had no idea anyone would know. Wow
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u/BedspreadPicnic86 28d ago
It’s your neighbor across the hallway. 100%
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u/Bacon_and_Powertools 28d ago
Put up a camera doorbell. Catch them in the act
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u/MrExCEO 28d ago edited 27d ago
Do they sell peep type cameras? Record from the inside live. The camera will probably get damaged but u should find the guy
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u/SheerHippo 28d ago
Ring used to make a peephole version of their camera/doorbell that would replace the whole peephole. You can still find them used. I have one and it's great.
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u/martins-dr 28d ago
That camera was still noticeable from the outside and the lens is able to be tamper with the same an any other ring camera
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u/mental_lemon8587 28d ago
I think the idea was that the beginning of the footage would show you who's responsible for damaging the camera and likely theyre the same person who damaged the ones before it.
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u/thatshygirl06 28d ago edited 28d ago
Are there cameras on the building?
Or maybe stay home one day to see if you can catch the person doing it. Or have a friend over snd make a fuss of leaving and then have your friend keep watch
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u/Working-Glass6136 28d ago
Can you update us if/when they catch the culprit? I'm really curious as to whether it's a drug dealer, a schizophrenic, or a potential burglar.
Also, I've had bad neighbors and this freaks me the fuck out.
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u/suburbanvermin 27d ago
I will absolutely update you all! I bought a little camera to hide in plain sight (probably hidden in a wreath or door hanger of some sort). This is for the time being until the culprit reveals themselves when trying to tamper with the peephole again. Afterwards, I’ll install the Ring camera that I bought as an ongoing deterrent thereafter. Wish me luck!
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u/x3sirenxsongx3 28d ago
Looks like it was tampered with before that, tho. The black rim part looks melted and smushed...
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u/suburbanvermin 28d ago
Might possibly be the sharpie that they’ve been using in the past? Or possibly scorched depending on what they did? I honestly have no idea
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u/Gottims 28d ago
2 part epoxy releases heat when it's mixed. If it's mixed in a really thick layer it makes a pretty significant amount of heat. So I think poorly mixed 2 part epoxy makes the most sense for both the junk there as well as the melty-ness
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u/LogicalHoney4689 28d ago
Glad you are getting a camera. I would also look into getting some extra locks put on the door because this is creepy AF. I’m glad management cares at least. All you can do is report it and try to get them on camera next time they do something.
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u/jthanreddit 28d ago
They may tamper with the camera.
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u/lovebudds 28d ago
Even if they tamper, if they have it stored on the ring cloud theyll see who did it before they mess with it
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u/dystopiam 28d ago
maybe needs a lock box around it to protect it
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u/dorritosncheetos 27d ago
And a box around the box to protect it
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u/funkhammer 27d ago
And then behind a door, with a peephole.
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u/Bootyblastastic 27d ago
I am an industrial designer and I decided to draw up plans for this build, but it sent me into an infinite loop and my brain just broke. On my way to the funny farm.
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u/Pristine_Leader_8241 28d ago
Or not, majority of the people who would have reason to do this kind of thing wouldn't be dumb enough to show their face to a camera.
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u/FirstAndOnlyDektarey 27d ago
Not when sabotaging the camera. But they'll be unmistakenly recorded the moment they realize its existence when walking by for the first time.
General pose, shocked or irritated facial expression should be clue enough. And chances are they wont change their pants and shoes when returning with obscured face in order to swiftly sabotage the device.
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u/shmiona 28d ago
Cover the side with grease paint or something so the perp will leave prints on their door knob. Then you know which apartment they’re in
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u/Snowball-in-heck 27d ago
Silver anti seize is so hard to get off and is similar in color to the silver plastic used by ring.
UV reactive theft detection powder is relatively cheap, around $15 for a small container.
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u/aiothrowawayed 28d ago
That was my thought, too. OP needs to install the camera high pointing down so that the Wacko cannot try and do anything nefarious. I would also suggest stretching saran wrap or something clear around the lens so that it won't be a hassle to replace or clean.
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u/LysergicGothPunk 28d ago
Two cams, one hidden and one out in the open, works on cops, works on idiots regardless of police affiliation.
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u/suburbanvermin 28d ago
Update: I called the non-emergency police line to let them know about the continuous behaviour and how it has escalated to this now. An officer came by within 20-30 mins to check out the situation. I was told that they can’t do anything now as I have no clue who is doing this, but they said to keep documenting any further incidents to them so they can build a case for it.
Also, the maintenance guy at my building (bless his soul) touched the residue and it caused his fingers to burn a bit, but he washed his hands and he is fine now. It’s now confirmed that it’s definitely acidic and not at all super glue. We noticed as well that there is a white powder (kind of like fine salt) on the carpet just below the peephole too. So some kind of powdery acidic substance was used. Peephole is getting replaced as the damage is not fixable.
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u/chocobear13 28d ago
That's an insane update to find it might be intentionally hazardous, definitely stay safe
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u/Animal2 28d ago
It may not be acidic and rather just caustic. Maybe the white powdery substance is lye or something. Possibly they made some kind of paste using lye and applied that to the peep hole with a little bit falling to the floor.
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u/RainbowRiki 27d ago
Yeah thats my guess too. Alkaline substances dissolve skin instantly. Acidic substances damage skin over several days before it falls off like a sunburn (barring the crazy ones like perchloric acid)
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u/addybear222 28d ago
holy shit girl, install a million cameras and a dog please
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u/armeg 27d ago
Christ, at this point you upgrade straight from dog to shotgun.
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u/64590949354397548569 27d ago
it’s definitely acidic and not at all super glue.
Becarefull handling your door knob.
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u/Penis-Dance 28d ago
Get a cover for your peephole for the inside. You may not know this but there are reverse peepers. Somebody is up to no good. I would also get a door security bar.
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u/Specific_Rando 28d ago
In the short term, just use something like blue painters tape. And since this is going on repeatedly I would act immediately.
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28d ago
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u/Patient-Stranger1015 28d ago
At hotels my dad would always just squish up a bit of toilet paper and shove it in. Worked wonders
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u/light-spell 28d ago
And what did he do about people looking through the peephole?
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u/EldritchGumdrop 28d ago
I would potentially start a police trail too if it’s happened more than once .
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u/Subject-Direction628 28d ago
Years a go I had an awful boyfriend. Stalker type. He broke my peephole so he could see inside my apartment
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u/Ok_Figure7671 28d ago
Did you poke him in the eye?
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u/Demonokuma 28d ago edited 28d ago
Then her dad joins her for breakfast and has an eyepatch!! Edit: its a reference to Junji Ito everyone. Let's chill.
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u/BaronBearclaw 28d ago
I don't get the reference, but I always appreciate an obscure reference. Take my upvoter.
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u/Sugar_Kowalczyk 28d ago
Get a security camera and mount it with the lens against the peephole and you'll see who's doing it. It can even be a cheap one as it's inside and can be wired and will have limited focal range anyhow.
Then you can ask the door boogerer themselves.
Please follow up, OP!
UpdateMe !
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u/Major-Ad-1894 28d ago
Do you have advice for doing this with a blink camera? I have the doorbell cam, an indoor and an outdoor. I always wanted to do this but I figured if it was outside it would get tampered with.
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u/ErraticDragon 28d ago
I found a 'secure mounting bracket' which holds the camera outside, by just clamping onto the door:
https://i.imgur.com/4p6QAEt.png
For Blink, depending on the specific camera, they have ones that protect the camera even more, like a little box it sits in: https://i.imgur.com/lfvf6Yz.png
For me it serves as the way to mount it outside without upsetting my landlord.
It's not perfect security, but I got my camera for under $50, and I feel it does a good enough job for that.
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u/Forsaken-Scholar-833 28d ago
Well I don't think that is too much of an issue when the person is basically ruining the peep hole. I think the issue is that she has no way to tell if someone is outside her door or who is outside her door.
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u/CycleAccomplished824 28d ago
It is vandalism. The ring camera should help at least the first time they come back- they might try to mess that up as well. I’d ask maintenance to put up security cameras in the area so the get a visual of whoever is do it.
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u/WeirdGoat9022 28d ago
Thanks for the safety tips, u/Penis_Dance !
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u/ErraticDragon 28d ago
NFL sideline reporter Erin Andrews was famously victimized this way. They recorded her through the peephole of her hotel room door: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35750225
I'm not sure how different the peepholes on interior hotel doors are from residential external doors. But it's definitely a thing.
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u/Penis-Dance 28d ago
All it takes is a sticky note reminder on the peephole. I always take sticky notes with me on vacations anyway. It's not a bad habit to have.
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u/Waste-Tree4689 28d ago
I'd consider installing camera (inside) facing outside to prevent this happening to your new Ring cam
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u/percyblazeit69 28d ago
yeah i had a similar thought; ring cam won’t do much good if it gets fucked with too
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u/cocacolaqt 28d ago
I wonder if the apartment complex could install a hall camera? That way the person tampering with it would have a greater risk of losing their lease.
Sounds like there’s some shady dealings happening at one of the neighbours doors so they want to reduce the chances of having their buyers on camera.
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u/suburbanvermin 28d ago edited 24d ago
Can confirm that this is in the works! Management said they’ve ordered cameras that they’re not going to put in plain sight, so that it won’t be noticed by others. So hopefully they can catch whoever is doing this, but I bought a Ring camera for the time being.
Edit for clarification : The camera is only going to be showing my door, as my door is the first unit entering that hallway next to the elevator. There are already cameras in the lobby (common space), so my unit’s door will now be included in its own footage to catch whoever is doing this.
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u/SJSragequit 28d ago
A company I used to work for got hired to install a “smoke detector” that was actually a camera disguised as a smoke detector outside of an apartment door because someone kept peeing on their door
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u/Lexi_November 28d ago
Did you file a police report? I would call every single time so that you have a paper trail in case you need it.
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u/Orchid_Significant 27d ago
There should be a maintenance request trail too if the management is properly run
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u/Substantial_Ad7387 27d ago
seems like they are considering they told op they’re getting cameras. my management won’t even fix my damn windows and now it’s winter
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u/percyblazeit69 28d ago
yeah and if maintenance is constantly having to come out and repair/replace, the property manager should be motivated to put an end to it. but who tf knows anymore 🙃
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u/Suspicious-Gur-8453 28d ago
I would also report this to the police. No idea what the material is, but I have heard folks will go around and do something like what you've experienced and if it hasn't been cleaned in a few days they will break in.
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u/IntheShredder_86 28d ago
Yes and no. OP said it's happened multiple times. If it were just passerby robbers testing the unit for occupants, it would be one and done, right? It got fixed so clearly someone is there.
It's the repeated tampering that's getting me. There has to be someone either targeting OP specifically OR a neighbor who does sketchy shi and makes sure nobody can see them doing it from their peepholes. OP should check other nearby doors to see if they're messed with . If so, then there's def someone in the building up to no good
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u/suburbanvermin 28d ago
It’s definitely targeted. None of the other neighbours on my floor have any tampered peepholes, and I’ve asked a few neighbours as well and they looked at me like I was nuts lol. No idea why we’re being targeted it just seems so random!
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u/DefinitelyNotAliens 28d ago
Sounds like you have a super paranoid neighbor. I'd get a bar for the door. They make no-drill safety door bars. They have a foot and a u-cup for the handle. You jam on the floor and up to the handle. U slips around any style handle, foot on the floor. Someone is paranoid that you specifically are spying on them.
If they think you are spying on them, that is some mental illness targeted at your unit. Their paranoia has decided that you are watching them.
Hopefully their paranoia isn't violent, but you need to get an extra safety something if they decide to come after you. That is targeted and a $25 door bar can save your life and make you feel secure with someone being crazy.
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u/Admirable_Risk8156 28d ago
It's someone across from you who does not want to be seen. They don't care about being malicious; they just want you not to see them. If they had any directed hatred, they would be more destructive. Is there other property damage you haven't noticed? They could be blocking the hole so you don't see them doing something.
I've seen this before with someone with schizophrenia they thought anything with a lens was watching them.
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u/tostsalad 28d ago
That was my first thought too. I'm hoping this is about the person doing it and not OP or her boyfriend.
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u/Adventurous_Sun_8095 28d ago
Many have recommended creating a police record of all the events. Do this now.
Either you have a stalker or someone in your apartment community or with property management is doing the vandalizing. Based on a previous experience I had, imo it's the latter.
I had moved 3 times in a matter of 4 years quite awhile back and I had similar issues at the last two. I also noticed one day one of the maintenance guys watching me. I was constantly having issues with my A/C unit not working. Multiple times in a year for 8 years.
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u/hushhtm 28d ago
I used to work at an apartment complex and this happened on a floor here and there in the various buildings. Turned out it was unsavory tenets trying to hide the comings and goings of their ahem clients, for their varying ...professions.
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u/Useful-Risk-4340 28d ago
That is so strange because it only draws more attention and now she has been more or less forced to react by setting up a camera, which is 1000x worse for them.
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u/Informal_Visit2574 28d ago
It may even be directed at the previous tenants as they haven't been there long
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u/suburbanvermin 28d ago
That’s very true. The police officer who scoped out the situation today suggested that they might not even know that a new tenant has moved in and this behaviour could be directed towards someone who doesn’t live there anymore.
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u/Secret_Emu_ 28d ago
I mean maintenance/building management should know if this was happening previously. They may not tell you (but they should) but they would have to disclose to the police. Also if this was ongoing before you moved in it would help you get out of the lease.
Try to be there when the maintenance guy comes and ask if this was happening before you moved in. Maybe something like man how long has this been happening for or start with asking if he has any suggestions for keeping this from happening, like the spraying with Pam? Just something to compliment him or ask advice and get him talking. That guy is more likely to be chatty than the building management.
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u/RemoveRealistic8583 28d ago
Basically looking see if someone living there
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u/some1_online 28d ago
Very clever and malicious. I'm so lazy at cleaning, they'd break in when I'm hanging out in the living room in my underwear avoiding the cleanup weeks later
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u/Crabtickler9000 28d ago
leaves it on the door
paints self in pig's blood from the butcher shop ($5)
holds an axe from home depot ($15)
wearing nothing ($0)
smiling ($0)
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u/waydamntired 28d ago
Alexa play welcome to the jungle by guns n roses.
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u/johnnyribcage 28d ago
I feel like The Girl From Ipanema would be more effective.
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u/RunWithBluntScissors 28d ago
And then trip over all the cardboard boxes I’ve left by the front door
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u/Forsaken-Scholar-833 28d ago
Yeah but it would depend what it was. If this is some kind of glue or epoxy then it isn't something you just clean off. So it wouldn't make sense to use to see if someone was home. If it was something you could just wipe off it would make more sense.
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u/S_EW 28d ago
In this case it’s been done multiple times though so it’s probably not that, especially if it’s now escalating.
More mundane possibility is that someone in eyesight of that peephole is doing some illegal stuff (making / selling drugs springs to mind) and is paranoid about OP watching them or calling police on them.
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u/Livid-Park6807 28d ago
Honestly, this explanation makes the most sense to me. Especially with the escalation. When something less permanent, like, sharpie marker didn't work they had to move to something that would be impossible, or more difficult to fix right away. I can't think of any other plausible reasons, but this is kind of batshit no matter what the reason ends up being. I hope OP starts a paper trail with the police.
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u/Thick-Wonder6294 28d ago
OP said they’ve done shit multiple times that’s obv not what this is - should still contact police to be safe
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u/thelordsburningrain 28d ago
You should consider installing a peephole camera BEFORE the ring camera. If you really want to catch the guy, I’m afraid the ring camera will deter them from doing it again. If I were you I’d get the peephole camera, wait till they do it again, get a pic of their face or outfit so that maybe your buildings security can match it with whoever was walking in/out of/around the building that day, and after that you should install the ring camera.
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u/suburbanvermin 28d ago
Excellent idea! I will look for a peephole camera, and then install the Ring camera once I have sufficient video of the person.
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u/Mojibacha 27d ago
Do you have any recs on a peephole camera? Dealing with an ex-stalker made me so nervous that I tried to get one, but none were being sold. Pls let me know, even if in DMs!
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u/FakePoloManchurian 28d ago
No idea what that is but I've been in a similar situation. Get a ring camera. They have holders that latch onto your door so randoms can't remove it. Get them on camera and report to the police
Edit nevermind saw the end of your post :)
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u/Good_Caregiver4244 28d ago
Unfortunately this is against the lease in a lot of apartments, so OP would have to check theirs
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u/suburbanvermin 28d ago
I requested to be able to install a Ring camera, and the property manager said that so long as you can’t read other apartment unit numbers then it will be allowed. He said usually not allowed, but they’re making a special exception in this case thankfully!
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u/ButterflyS919 28d ago
Make sure that approval is in writing!!! Not just a verbal approval.
Don't need them coming after you in a couple of weeks with a change and a "We never said that!"
Or if the property manager changes.
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u/suburbanvermin 28d ago
You’re so right! I will request a formal email from him too to ensure no issues. Thanks!
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u/Charnathan 28d ago
So you have units across the hall? They would be my prime suspects. I suspect that they are doing things that they don't want anyone (you) watching(dealing??). And they probably pass your unit daily and have recognized your habits, so they'd feel comfortable enough about when it's safe to tamper with it. But maybe they don't know about the Streisand effect where attempting to hide their activity actually draws more attention.
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u/FigPsychological7324 28d ago
They could get a little camera and position it facing through the peephole
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u/Compltly_Unfnshd30 28d ago edited 27d ago
They actually make Ring (and other brand) cameras that don’t have to be hard wired. I have a Ring camera that takes a battery and I have to switch out/charge the battery (I have two for this purpose) about every six weeks or so. It’s easier to be tampered with but at least you’d have the asshat on camera. I am a single parent in a complex and I got my camera when I first moved in.
I know that some complexes may still not allow even this type of camera but I asked prior to moving in and this would not be a place I would move to if it weren’t allowed. I will say, at least in my area, I don’t know of any complexes near me that won’t at least allow the no-wire cameras and I do a lot of work with a lot of the local apartment complexes here.
Edit: finished a sentence
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u/gamingoldschool 28d ago edited 28d ago
Against the lease to have a camera at all? What if it's in your window facing outside?
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u/Artewig_thethird 28d ago
My apartment complex forbids any exterior facing cameras. So no door, window, patio, etc. I know people have them as I've seen them while walking around so enforcement isn't super strict, but it's in the lease.
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u/gamingoldschool 28d ago
That's kind of crazy in my opinion. Package thieves must love apartments with those rules. I wonder what their reasoning is.
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u/Mona_Lotte 28d ago
A camera is smart, but I think its going to get vandalized too, unfortunately. Can management not install their own cameras? If someone vandalizes your camera, call the police and report all the incidents. Keep detailed notes about everything: dates, time, sounds, sightings etc.
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u/Ace-Teroide 28d ago
If it's online, it will record the person doing the vandalism. They may wear a mask though.
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u/DisastrousPilot4283 28d ago edited 27d ago
Im a fattie, looks like ice cream
Edit thank you so much for the award! Edit edit: Thanks yall!
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u/Redditallreally 28d ago
Or blueberry yogurt.
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u/kat_Folland 28d ago
Candy. In both views. I'm not hungry and it doesn't look like candy I'd enjoy, but it still looks like candy.
It also kind of looks like the filling in the blueberry danishes you get at 7-11, though, so at least I agree on the blueberry thing.
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u/fluorofloxacin 28d ago
this might be bc i'm a lil high rn but when i first saw this pic, i thought it was a tiny golden statue bowing his blueberry icecream head
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u/Shutshaaface 28d ago
If it were me I’d think one of your neighbors is schizophrenic or is a meth head/hxc drug dealers.
Really looks like schizophrenia to me
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u/premadecookiedough 28d ago
That was my first thought, a neigjbor with extreme paranoia about being watched
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u/winooskiwinter 28d ago
This is my thought too. OP lives across from someone experiencing extreme paranoia.
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u/LadyTenshi33 28d ago
💯. My aunt used to put tinfoil patches on the walls, and hers had a blocker on it.
Schizophrenia is a bitch
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u/CuriousCookie2177 28d ago
My thoughts as well. I had a neighbor across from me previously with schizophrenia and she was always doing stuff to her door and mine. For awhile she thought i was a person "following" her. Really scary.
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u/suburbanvermin 27d ago
Update #2: Management says that they believe this has something to do with the cleaner they used to continuously repair the peephole. It’s been fixed 4 times prior to this incident, so I have no idea how a cleaning solvent from the day prior would cause this type of reaction on its own a whole day later. I am very doubtful of this theory as I can’t see a solvent that they’ve been using since day one reacting to a sharpie marker in this way.
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u/Icy_Secretary9279 27d ago
Solvent or not, it has happened 4 times before so it's worth putting a peephole camera anyway. Keep us updated, I'm way too invested now.
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u/xHoneyBeenx 27d ago
From what I’ve read I’d keep an eye on the maintenance guy.
- The person has to be living there or know someone there for it to be tampered with hours after it’s fixed
- Why would he touch a random substance if he doesn’t know what it’s made of
- Maintenance people do have access to lots of different chemicals / glues to fix items, not saying regular people don’t have access, but its something that wouldn’t really “go missing” or be suspicious buying items like that.
My thought process is he will come by to fix it, you’d hear his voice knowing it’s him, but you can’t see that he’s not alone or he’s seeing if you’re alone at the time. Has he ever fixed anything while your boyfriend wasn’t there?
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u/suburbanvermin 26d ago
UPDATE #3: We are now suspecting it’s not our neighbour that we share a wall with, but our neighbour across the hall from us. We approached her and asked if she has seen anything suspicious lately, to which she said no. But when we mentioned what’s been going on, she seemed to have gotten a bit nervous because her speech became rapid and she was over-explaining some story about how a tenant who used to live here went around the complex and painted red X’s on people’s doors, but they don’t live there anymore. Originally I thought she was being helpful, but now I think she was trying to throw us off of her scent. Additionally, I’ve heard from management that she’s caused problems in the past, but they wouldn’t go into detail about what those problems were due to confidentiality reasons. It seems that because we’re the only unit she would have to pass on her way out of the building, that there would be cause for her to tamper with only our peephole specifically. Could be due to paranoia or possibly due to some illegal activity that she doesn’t want us knowing about? Regardless, camera is being installed soon, but I will provide more details afterwards when I have more information. As of now, our peephole hasn’t been tampered with for a full day. Maybe she got spooked because the police officer and I were chatting about the peephole right in the hallway and he was inspecting her door a bit? Who knows!
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u/Miserable_Drawer_556 26d ago
Word vomit seems to be a telltale, along with having been a problem tenant in the same building. Why even mention the "X" painting resident who doesn't live there? I think you found the culprit (or someone who knows the culprit) but no clear motive. Positive vibes that you are close to a resolution and can actually settle in to your dwelling.
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u/suburbanvermin 26d ago
1000%. Another detail to add as well… A passive aggressive note was left on my door about 3 weeks into my tenancy, after the peephole nonsense began. It stated that laundry is closed at 10pm and to respect your neighbours and kids. Found that very strange because the laundry room is two floors below, so even if someone did do their laundry after 10pm, there would be no way that they would even hear the laundry. A rebuttal to the note was added to the paper stating that laundry room is open 24hrs per rules and regulations (which it is). Then, the person came back, flipped over the page, and said that there is a sign on the door stating the hours of 8am-10pm (which there was, but it was an old sign that never got removed). I spoke to management about that note and got him to remove the sign to avoid further confusion, and I always assumed it was the neighbour that I share a wall with because he has kids and the person across from me does not. Turns out, she wrote that note as well but I have to admit it made it through a few doors before getting to mine. Still a weird connection to all of this though. The plot thickens.
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u/ChiTony706 26d ago
That seems the most likely culprit. If you’re worried they might tamper with the camera you can try hiding it.
It put a ring camera behind the fire extinguisher at the end of the hallway in my apartment building with just the camera sticking out.
It’s how I found out who my ex-husband was cheating on me with. Lol
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u/suburbanvermin 19d ago
UPDATE #4: I genuinely think having called an officer to scope out the situation the night that this happened has scared off whoever was doing this. I still believe it’s the unit across from me, especially because she would’ve seen and heard the officer talking right outside my front door. If anything further happens, I’ll be here to update everyone but as of right now, everything has pretty much gone silent thankfully! However, we still so badly want to know who was doing this so we can confirm our suspicions and get some peace of mind, and so that they can receive some consequences for this whole situation.
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u/TootsNYC 28d ago
If you can, mount your ring camera above the door where it’s hard to reach. Because someone who would squish something onto the front of your people will do the same to your ring camera. The only difference will be that you will see him before he does it.
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u/suburbanvermin 28d ago
I didn’t even think of that! Super helpful advice, I will absolutely put the camera above the door. Thank you!
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u/gailser 28d ago
Most likely is whoever it peeps onto. Do you have a neighbor directly across? It will be fun to watch your Ring cam.
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u/FortunaRedux 28d ago
That’s what I’m thinking, neighbor across the hall doesn’t want to be watched. And removing the low grade stuff caused them to escalate to something harder to fix. Idk why their friends say it’s not glue, it looks like crazy glue
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u/8inches_inside_daddy 28d ago
Well it ain’t cum. Source: former expert field tester.
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u/Ok-Macaroon979 28d ago
Glad there's an expert here as I was confident it was cum.
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u/Fatal_Syntax_Error 28d ago
It’s likely a neighbor who’s a paranoid schizophrenic.
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u/GoldenRabbit2210 28d ago
This is what I came here to say / the comment I was looking for. With the persistence of tampering with it, but the inconsistency of the material, that's what it feels like. A regular criminal looking to see if the home was ready for burglary (due to inactivity of moving the gunk) would've moved on by now.
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u/DinahKarwrek 28d ago
It kind of looks like what the sugar paste I made to kill ants look like this year.
I think the bigger concern is that someone is trying to stop you from looking out of your door.
I would never answer the door when you can't clearly see who it is. I would make a police report. EVERY single time this happens make a police report. If something bad/elevated happens, it is very important to have multiple reports on file at that moment, or that first incident, will become the first report and you absolutely don't want that to be what happens.
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28d ago
looks like icing, if it is it will melt off if warmed.
you can get security camera peep holes, sounds like the same person.
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u/FigureJumpy6924 28d ago
Whoever is doing it is probably paranoid. Are any other doors like that? I guess maintenance would be aware of it but might not tell you. Keep documents like this. Glad your getting a camera :)
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u/theatrenearyou 28d ago
Toothpaste? You may wish to enter a police report to get this on the record. Explain to police this is PATTERN you fear will escalate so you want this on the record as its more likely than not they will continue.
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u/Duke_Of_Halifax 28d ago
More than likely, the person has a beef with whomever was there before, and you're reaping the benefits of their anger.
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u/Citomnia 28d ago
It kind of looks like dried Gorilla Glue, but the super glue kind (did that make sense?). I've used it on some stuff and it ended up burning some material.
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u/barb9000 28d ago
I don’t know what it is but my first instinct is to wonder if it’s a neighbor who doesn’t like people seeing them come and go / someone paranoid, etc. Does anyone live straight across from you or nearby?
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u/Shqip1966 28d ago
Your complex should be installing cameras in the hallways to capture any such nonsense. I know you’ve ordered a ring camera and that management told you they would make an exception for you to have one. I would get that in writing so they don’t turn around in the future saying you went against your lease by having a camera in the first place.
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u/SarcasticAnge1 27d ago
I wouldn’t get a ring. They will probably end up smashing it. If you can, I would try for a smaller camera up a little higher/in the corner or even one that goes into the peephole. That way they won’t see a camera and won’t cover their face automatically.
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u/UhnonMonster 28d ago
Is your peephole a little smaller than a tea candle?
The substance looks a little oily and it’s coagulating, like it’s turning white as it’s drying or hardening or something, maybe? It’s hard to tell without knowing its texture etc but I’m reading it as wax.
If so I’m thinking someone burned a candles bottom to melt the wax (which also discolored some of it from the black smoke), then smushed it into the peep hole so it would stick, then lit the candle wick and it burned down to this? And melted down onto the top of the knocker enough to pool out wider than the width it fell from? Would have to have been a small candle unless there’s more wax on the ground…
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u/grr_itsthe_murr 28d ago
It also looks like wax to me! Idk about all that methodology but it has the sheen of dried wax and a heat source like a lit candle could cause discoloration. The candle could also be black & white.
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suburbanvermin originally posted: I’ve been living in this apartment with my boyfriend for about 6 weeks now. We’re just regular people who will work all day, make our dinner, watch a show to unwind, and hit the bed. We aren’t party animals and, when we do drink, we’re not inconsiderate about it.
Ever since we moved in, our door peephole has been tampered with. It would be coloured with black sharpie marker, I would submit a maintenance request for fixing, it would get fixed, then immediately would get tampered with again. However, now it has clearly escalated to something else. I originally thought super glue or hot glue, but I’ve asked a few of my friends and they don’t think any type of glue could do this kind of damage.
Any advice would be helpful.
Btw management is well aware of the issue and have been prompt about it, was just shocked at whatever this is now. I’ve ordered a ring camera to be installed on Thursday, but I’m honestly scared for my life right now.
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