Homeowners yelling profanity at Board

I doubt there is anything in your bylaws or covenants that prohibit profanity being spoken or for someone speaking harshly to a board member.
But, not only is it immature, it sets the stage for other members to use the same tactics and this will lead to others mimicking this behavior.
I would suggest that at the least document his behavior in his / her file for future reference. And if this individual continues this behavior, advise him the board will seek remedy to prevent this from continuing.
Remedy could eventually require a court order directing him to not to attend the meetings based upon the BODs fear of his potential violent behavior.

I would be worried about this member. If this is his normal behavior I would be worried enough to seek legal guidance. Several years ago an HOA in the Phoenix area had a member who repeatedly expressed his outrage to the board about landscaping. It was irrational but no one did anything to control him. Then he showed up at a BOD meeting armed to the teeth and killed several people before he was subdued. The courts found him not mentally competent to stand trial.

I no longer dismiss irrational people as harmless.

While I take your point that it's not good to just ignore irate and irrational people, this is an extreme and uncommon situation.

I'm not making light of it, it's an awful story for all involved, but it's also not like the guy just complained a lot and then became violent out of the blue. This man had a history of violent acts and threats and had lost his home.

He was convicted and sentenced to death, according to the information that I found.

Caution is absolutely needed, but just because someone gets angry and curses at a BOD meeting it doesn't necessarily follow that they'll be violent.

To Judie, here are some articles with tips on dealing with irate people that might help keep things from escalating in the future:

http://thinksimplenow.com/happiness/dealing-with-difficult-people

http://www.policeone.com/health-fitness/articles/79599-Angry-People-How-to-cope-with-them-and-smile

Judie,

We would NEVER yell back at you. Being just a little squirt, I admire your courage to face a big bully. But in retrospect, that could have turned out badly so you will need to handle him from now on thru paperwork to begin with. Make sure the Board has documentation of all of his confrontations. If at any time he crosses the line with more than a yell, it may be time to call some authority like the police. Touching should never be allowed. Make sure that you keep a paper trail of his behavior.

I probably take a different approach than most, but also have the luxury of being physically bigger than most. My wife often comments that I am intimidating to approach and perhaps it serves me well in these situations.

I often subscribe to the theory of once being an accident and twice is a trend. People feel different things at different times and who all know what else was going on in his life? This could have been the straw that broke his back. I am not defending him nor condoning his behavior. I would do as others have said, document his behavior and if it happens again alert and involve the police.

i would doubt that any CC&R's talk about a member's tone of voice and use of language...it comes down to civility.

Judie:

I agree with many of the suggestions that have been offered to you.

IMO it is not required that you allow yourself or anyone else to be abused while serving on the Board.Or in your everyday life.

This man seems to lack control, has issues that might require some modification, and might not have the tools to discuss and exchange with people. Or he might just be a bully.

My suggestion would be if and when this behavior occurs again you call the police ASAP and file a complaint. You teach people how to treat you and if his last outburst was permitted without any consequence he might feel comfortable acting again in a similar manner.

You need to explain to him clearly through your response, not words, his behavior will not be tolerated. When the police arrive it will tell him this type of behavior will never be accepted.

You cannot yell and scream at someone causing them to be in fear for their safety. To violate the law does not require the person touch you or anyone else.

As to his behavior at meetings we issued a rule that anyone disrupting either our monthly or annual meeting will be subjected to immediate fines of $100.

We also added a rule that if and when the police are called to our property as a result of your actions or behavior there will be a $100 fine accessed. No warnings or do overs.

In life some people only understand when you push back. If not they will keep acting in a rude and unaccepatable manner or worse. That's one of the functions of the police.

Not your job.

Good luck

Maybe that's why he was an EX-policeman.

Problem solved...............

Written up? This isn't a company your working for and you can tell your boss to write someone up, this is real life and it doesn't work that way.

If you truly feel threatened, file a police report and get a restraining order against him.

Donna Donna Donna...........

Even people from NY have feelings.

And you can't lump all New Yorkers together because you met one potato head.

Not that is serves as an excuse but I commuted into NYC during the day for 30+ years that will result in your driving being lets say a lttle erratic. If you don't drive in a similar manner they will eat your lunch morning noon and night.

I dare you to drive the West Side Highway on a Friday afternoon around 4:30 in the Summer.
You will never be the same!

These people are a little stressed!

I gave that up 8 years ago and never missed that commute.

So please take it easy on us. I passed my test and it only took 12 times............

Donna not to suggest older folks lack driving skills. But by then time most of the New Yorkers make it down to Florida they are up in age and their best days behind the wheel are behind them.

We like to ship them all south to cause havoc.

You know how us Yankees are......

In NY courts when we get folks who lack the necessary skills they are given a choice either give up their license or move to Florida. Most move.

Sorry about that. Bad drivers and people with tempers we all send them south.

Regards

Jon,

"Sorry about that. Bad drivers and people with tempers we all send them south."

And this is why I now live in the hills of Tennessee.

To respect the O.P. no one has a right to yell in anyone elses face no matter what, especially in a HOA situation. People are just so angry and it becomes an infection on others when they try to talk to a raging peson. Best to turn and walk away.

Do they even have cars down there?????????

Ever been on the Southeast Expressway in Boston?