Hernwood Heights Comm Assoc Inc

I've been living in Randallstown for over 12 years and we have a neighbor whose fence has deteriorated especially over the last 3 years and it looks horrible.  It's falling down in several places and rotted out, in order words most of the fence is down.  I want to approach the neighbor but we have never really talked but once when my son wanted to play with her son, and it appears they've been trying to sell the house for a few years now.  Does anyone know the most diplomatic and effective way to get this eye-sore taken care of?  Should I complain to the neighborhood association? and won't that make them want to find something in my yard to site me for? (:)  Should I call the county police?  I'm not sure how to deal with this because people can be funny sometimes when you confront them with such a thing?  Any advise really appreciated!--Annoyed in Randallstown