Police call it bullying on steroids." They are referring to gang stalking [which] is when multiple people organize to systematically stalk and harass a person, whether emotionally or physically. Lawrence Guzzino claims his neighbors are gang stalking him because he plays loud music and is outspoken. He said, for the last year and a half, he's been systematically followed by a group of people. At one point, he said they climbed on his roof to bother him. Guzzino said he's developed a paranoia that's devastated his relationships with friends, and worst of all, family. "It makes me feel afraid...that's the worst part of it. If it was just me, I would take action," he said. Santa Cruz Police Lieutenant Larry Richard said police are becoming more aware of gang stalking because of cyber bullying. Richard said gang stalking is nothing new, but new technology is making it more common. "Gang stalkers ... have elevated themselves to technology so this is something that's been going on before Facebook and Twitter. They just now have gone into those areas," Lt. Richard said.
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