Elevator Rides

Several months ago, I contacted the police due to a neighbor's persistent stalking behavior. Her actions were blatant and unsettling. For instance, whenever I entered the building, she would suddenly appear. If I took the elevator, she would board a few floors later. Even when I left the parking garage, she was there.

This woman, a mother of several children and part of the resident group engaged in this stalking, even confronted me in the elevator and verbally threatened me. However, her constant presence and following were already inherently threatening. It's hard to believe she doesn't recognize that.

Subsequently, this neighbor falsely accused me of pushing her, claiming it occurred on a specific date and time, and reported this alleged incident to building security. While she talked to security, I called police. Her accusation was entirely fabricated. I requested security footage, and I personally reviewed four hours of video with security personnel. The tapes clearly showed that no such event ever took place.

How They Coordinate Elevator Stalking

We have reason to believe this group of residents uses a communication app to coordinate their actions. Disturbingly, there's also evidence suggesting the involvement of members within the security office. This group appears to have knowledge of when I leave my apartment, specifically when my front door is opened, closed, and locked.

Here's a breakdown of this process:

• Front Door Activity: When I open, close, and lock my front door, could the sound be triggering a notification to the group? This would imply either that my immediate neighbors are actively listening for these sounds, or that some other mechanism is alerting them.
  

• Hall Cameras: The building installed two cameras on every floor by the bank of elevators. The other possible scenario is that someone's monitoring the cameras. This one seems less likely.
  

• Fire Alarm System: It was suggested that the fire alarms in the hallways (one outside my unit) could be used. They do have audio in that the alarms send out voice notifications.
  

• Elevator Approach: As I walk to the elevators and wait, these stalkers jump into action.
  

• Ascending the Building: Often, the elevator takes an unusually long time to arrive. When it does, a member of the group residing on the floors above mine is frequently present. I've noticed specific individuals repeatedly: the perpetually sad looking woman with a tiny dog, the man with a fluffy dog, and the man who invariably wears the same t-shirt and jeans. If none of these individuals are present initially, someone from the group will often board the elevator as it descends.
  

• Returning to the Building: Upon my return, several patterns emerge:

  • A member of the group, such as the unsettlingly tanned man, will often be parked in the parking lot with their car lights on, watching me. This is a frequent occurrence.
    

  • Alternatively, they might be waiting at the bank of elevators on the garage level.
    

  • They may also board the elevator at some point during its ascent.
    

  • In an especially unnerving tactic, a neighbor on my floor will sometimes be loitering in the hallway just as I exit the elevator. This feels like deliberate and creepy stalking behavior.
    

Elevator Encounters vs. Targeted Harassment

While it's true that people use the elevators to come and go from their apartments, the behavior of this group is distinctly different. It's not simply chance encounters. Their coordinated appearances and consistent presence in my vicinity make it clear that this is targeted harassment, not just ordinary elevator use.