If you were dealing with a bad community situation, when would you call it quits?

Several years ago, I moved into a neighborhood in a transitional community. I thought I knew this area well, and, while I knew there were certain problems, I did not think they were all that bad, and figured they would improve. The problem is that things are getting worse and worse, not by the year, or month or week, but by the day.

The homes in my section of the community are semi-historical, and are relatively small and inexpensive for the greater metro area. At another stage in the evolution of the community (which I think is now going to be at least several years down the line) these houses would be considered quaint and interesting, and would attract a gentrification trend. However over the last decade or two, they have just attracted dumb poor people who have no job options, so just end up starting really crappy businesses, which they run out of their properties. This is against bylaw, and causes all sorts of issues. And, as house prices, and taxes, rise, more and more people are moving in just to exploit the situation, and bank a property, with no concern for the people around them.

There are still many decent people living in the street, and nearby streets, but they are slowly getting pushed out. I have been fighting this trend of bylaw-breaking, and have gotten to be known in the area. Over the last couple of years several things have happened that make me wonder if I am being targeted for retaliation. First, one of my cats was injured. At the time I thought he was clipped by a car, but I am now thinking he was kicked. Roughly a year later, he was let out and came back smelling of gas, as if he had been doused. Over the last three months my property -- and only mine -- has been egged twice. The last time was today -- the back of my car was covered in egg.

A few things to note here. First, I did not set out looking for trouble. When I moved in things were not all that bad, but the people who lived in the house before me were pushovers, and the trouble-making neighbors who lived around or near me thought they could push it with me, because I was single, and rarely around at first. As a result, I had issues with people trespassing, blocking my driveway, and on and on. Also, there are a few properties where the residents are colluding and encouraging people to come in and break bylaw. It is as if they are trying to drive certain people out of the area with some big plan in the works.

I have been in frequent communication with the city (city Councillor, bylaw department, etc.) and the police, and nothing seems to work. I even once called the police about someone visiting me being harassed, and was told to suck it up or move away. So, here is my question -- a kind of survey:

At what point would you throw in the towel?

I have a habit of standing my ground, and fighting until the bitter end, and, while I usually beat the other party, I always walk away feeling drained and depressed, which makes it not so much a win, unless you consider a kamikaze pilot to "have won".

What would you suggest i do? Move on? Kick the fight up a few notches? Play dirty?

I am at my wits end, and feel like I have been fighting this forever.