LAS VEGAS -- For nearly two years, one local couple has awakened to the sounds of screaming next door. It is the dawn to dusk delusions of their mentally ill neighbor.
Though they have reached out to police, politicians and even social service agencies for help, the Jacobsen's say it seemed no one could silence him. That is, until the I-Team got involved.
A lot has happened since the I-Team first met Kathy and Allen Jacobsen a few months ago. The Metro police department, after already dedicating a tremendous amount of resources toward this situation, re-focused its coordination with the Jacobsens. The result was two additional citations for disturbing the peace that landed Patrick Galterio back in court.
"We've waited a long time for this," said Kathy Jacobsen.
At the Regional Justice Center for an afternoon hearing, the Jacobsens actually see their neighbor Patrick Galterio. Most of the time, they just hear him.
They have recorded his screams and say for three years they have lived with bizarre and often terrifying ramblings. The screaming is the physical manifestation of Galterio's mental illness.
"We're afraid that he's going to break into to our house one day and do us harm. It's a horrible way to live. It's truly horrible."
When the I-Team met the Jacobsen's in February, their citizen's complaint against Galterio for disturbing the peace, had failed to produce the desired result. Though Galterio has a criminal history and pleaded no contest to the charge, his court ordered supervision seemed to exist only on paper. That was until the case went before the judge.
"We have two counts of disturbing the peace and an old case of disturbing the peace. Where are we at with this," asks Judge Martin Hastings, Las Vegas Municipal Court.
After sharing their story with the I-Team, the Jacobsen's say local officials took a renewed interest in their plight. Frequent contacts with the Metro -- six in as many weeks -- resulted in two additional citations against Galterio. Finally, there is a trial date and a warning from the judge.
"Sir, it sounds like you're causing some problems. So let me be frank with you. I get a call in the next two weeks and I'm going to bring you in and I'm going to have to lock you up. Alright. I'm not going to have any choice, so do what I'm telling you, alright?"
"Yes sir," answers Galterio.
Judge Hastings orders Galterio to stay out of trouble, to cooperate with mental health services, and to move to the other side of his home. This will put him as far away as possible from the Jacobsen's.
"I think it's a good idea. I'm not sure it's going to work and I'm not sure he's going to do it," said Kathy Jacobsen.
After three years of frustration, it's no surprise she is skeptical. So armed with her recordings, her next stop is the city attorney's office. She hopes they will hear the problem.
"I think eventually we can get some resolution and get Patrick the help he needs and allow us to go back to living in peace and quiet," she said.
Galterio is scheduled for trial in two weeks on his most recent disturbing the peace citation. @
