SAN DIEGO -- A dispute between two La Mesa neighbors has gone from the curb to court, and the ordeal has caused one of the women to fear for her safety.

Melanie Morton walked around her La Mesa home, showing 10News the elaborate security system she installed.

"This is my DVR system that has four cameras," she explained.

She has four different security systems and 8 separate cameras all watching for her next-door neighbor, Dana Spotts.

"I'm not letting that woman near me; I'm afraid of her," said Morton.

Morton is a teacher at Hilltop High School and has lived in the home for a decade. Spotts is a registered nurse with a clean record from the State Nursing Board. She moved in next door to Morton three years ago.

"It was from the beginning, just trying to take over my side yard and my territory," said Morton.

Their first dispute was over a shared planter. Morton said Spotts was angered when Morton installed a fence.

"She said, 'I can get back at you through your house and your dogs,'" Morton said.

Then, Morton claimed, subtle attacks began.

"Dana was standing in front of my planter spraying Roundup on my plants," she said.

There was vandalism, Morton said, like an axe lodged in her new fence. She told 10News a window and a security camera were both shot out.

Morton has a picture of Spotts standing near her garage. In it she's seen smiling and holding a blue item in her hand that Morton said is a toy gun.

"She feels she can act with impunity," Morton said.

Both women have called 911, and police have responded numerous times.

Morton even sued Spotts in civil court for trespassing and nuisance, leading to a heated exchange caught on Morton's security camera.

In the video, Spotts called Morton a "pervert … and paranoid."

The recording helped Morton get an injunction, warning Spotts not to "stalk, attack … destroy personal or real property …" of Morton's.

Spotts lost the civil trial and was ordered to pay $32,000.

"Which doesn't even begin to cover one-and-a-half years of litigation and the security systems and the costs," Morton said.

10News asked Spotts about the dispute, and over the phone she said, "We've had our issues; she took me to court, sued me and won."

She declined an on-camera interview.

Morton said she feels helpless.

"I've done everything I can within the legal system," she said.

Morton wanted the injunction to remain, but a judge did not renew it. She worries her situation will end up like other recent high-profile neighborhood disputes in San Diego that turned violent.

"I'm either going to be Danny Palmer and end up in jail because I'm protecting myself, or I'm going to be like the Cunningham's and end up dead because this woman won't back off," she said.

Morton is hopeful that going public with her neighbor dispute will somehow help.

The San Diego County District Attorney's Office acknowledged that unless a crime is committed and the case is referred by the police to their office, the office is unable to get involved.