AITA for not letting the police and neighbors use my driveway

On the edge of a small town, a newly built house stands on land that was once open and familiar to pa*sing neighbors. The owner, having just moved in, now legally owns the property—including the stretch of driveway that was previously used as a casual shortcut. Though paved and neatly maintained, this once-gravel path has unexpectedly become a source of quiet friction.

What used to be a convenient route for locals has now been closed off, causing frustration among those who relied on it to save time. As drivers adjust to the longer way around, a subtle conflict begins to grow—where the rights of a new homeowner meet the habits of a community used to cutting through. The situation captures the tension between change and tradition, and the challenges of blending personal boundaries with neighborhood expectations.