Cop moves in, neighborhood goes to hell

[Brandon Smith]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Georgia

I purchased my house 17 years ago.

I have a 16 year old son, that plays Guitar in a Southern Rock band with 3 other teenagers in the neighborhood.

For the past 3 years, the majority of the neighbors and my family would get together for neighborhood BBQ--a twice a month occurence. The neighbors would hangout, play games--horseshoes, basketball, football, etc. The neighborhood kids would play football, basketball, etc. Once a month my son and his friends/band would perform a neighborhood concert.

The neighbors would get together for certain holidays for BBQs, fireworks, fun and games.

Back in June of 2012, my next door neighbor sold his house. The purchaser was/is a police officer and his family. Since the police officer bought the house, I have had the local authorities called on me numerous times for noise ordinance violations, I have paid over $1,000 in fines and spent 2 days in jail. The noise ordinance violation is due to my son playing his guitar in the basement.

No one else in the neighborhood ever complained, in fact the neighbors enjoy the teenagers playing in a band, and we all encouraged them to follow their dreams.

The neighborhood has stopped getting together, when we tried to hold neighborhood get-togethers, the police neighbor called the police on us for various ordinance violations. The roll-away basketball hoops the kids played with have been ordered to be removed from the cul-de-sac and place in their owners driveway/ property.

One of the neighbors was playing football in their yard, and their 7 yr old boy threw the football on the police officer's yard; when the neighbor went to get the ball, the police officer told him "You are trespassing on my property, and I have the right to shoot you, legally".

The police officer neighbor set up security cameras on his house, and if anyone steps foot on his property, he calls the city police and files trespassing claims or charges.

The police officer will show up, wearing his uniform, at neighbor's houses and demand they turn down their music, stop mowing lawns, fixing cars. When the neighbor don't listen, the city police show up and give out warnings, tickets or make areests.

The police officer neighbor worked for the city we reside in, but has transferred to another city. All the neighbors have filed complaints with both city police departments. The city PD the neighbor works for, all the chief can tell us is "He's a great officer, great in the community, an asset to the force, etc".

What can we, as a community, do to end this nightmare? What are our legal options?

 

[sandyclaus]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Georgia

I purchased my house 17 years ago.

I have a 16 year old son, that plays Guitar in a Southern Rock band with 3 other teenagers in the neighborhood.

For the past 3 years, the majority of the neighbors and my family would get together for neighborhood BBQ--a twice a month occurence. The neighbors would hangout, play games--horseshoes, basketball, football, etc. The neighborhood kids would play football, basketball, etc. Once a month my son and his friends/band would perform a neighborhood concert.

The neighbors would get together for certain holidays for BBQs, fireworks, fun and games.

Back in June of 2012, my next door neighbor sold his house. The purchaser was/is a police officer and his family. Since the police officer bought the house, I have had the local authorities called on me numerous times for noise ordinance violations, I have paid over $1,000 in fines and spent 2 days in jail. The noise ordinance violation is due to my son playing his guitar in the basement.

No one else in the neighborhood ever complained, in fact the neighbors enjoy the teenagers playing in a band, and we all encouraged them to follow their dreams.

The neighborhood has stopped getting together, when we tried to hold neighborhood get-togethers, the police neighbor called the police on us for various ordinance violations. The roll-away basketball hoops the kids played with have been ordered to be removed from the cul-de-sac and place in their owners driveway/ property.

One of the neighbors was playing football in their yard, and their 7 yr old boy threw the football on the police officer's yard; when the neighbor went to get the ball, the police officer told him "You are trespassing on my property, and I have the right to shoot you, legally".

The police officer neighbor set up security cameras on his house, and if anyone steps foot on his property, he calls the city police and files trespassing claims or charges.

The police officer will show up, wearing his uniform, at neighbor's houses and demand they turn down their music, stop mowing lawns, fixing cars. When the neighbor don't listen, the city police show up and give out warnings, tickets or make areests.

The police officer neighbor worked for the city we reside in, but has transferred to another city. All the neighbors have filed complaints with both city police departments. The city PD the neighbor works for, all the chief can tell us is "He's a great officer, great in the community, an asset to the force, etc".

What can we, as a community, do to end this nightmare? What are our legal options?

You really have none, except to maybe kiss up to the neighbor.

While other neighbors were OK with the noise, and other trivial misdeeds - but this one isn't. And if what you doing is bothering just one neighbor, that is justification for everything he's doing. You may not like it, but he's well within his rights to do what he's doing.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

Unfortunately, you are being harsh on police in general. Most are a great asset to their neighborhoods. In the past ten years or so, many have been moving into my neighborhood, as they progress in their careers. We have local police, state troopers and even a police chief. You seem to have gotten a lemon that happens to be an officer.

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Georgia


What can we, as a community, do to end this nightmare? What are our legal options?

Start following the law, including local noise ordinances? Just a thought.

 

[Brandon Smith]

You really have none, except to maybe kiss up to the neighbor.
While other neighbors were OK with the noise, and other trivial misdeeds - but this one isn't. And if what you doing is bothering just one neighbor, that is justification for everything he's doing. You may not like it, but he's well within his rights to do what he's doing.

We tried to invite his family and him to neighborhood functions, and BBQs...All he did was threaten us if we went back on his property.

It may be trivial misdeeds, but its not like my son & the other teenagers in the band are out selling drugs, they are always within the neighborhood, under watchful eyes of parents. Why should they be punished for actually trying to be good kids and not juvenile deliquents?

 

[Proserpina]

We tried to invite his family and him to neighborhood functions, and BBQs...All he did was threaten us if we went back on his property.

It may be trivial misdeeds, but its not like my son & the other teenagers in the band are out selling drugs, they are always within the neighborhood, under watchful eyes of parents. Why should they be punished for actually trying to be good kids and not juvenile deliquents?

Because unfortunately for them, following their dreams does not extend to infringing on someone else's right to quiet enjoyment.

Look on the bright side. I used to live next door to the ADA!

(Talk about feeling curtailed...! )

 

[Brandon Smith]

Start following the law, including local noise ordinances? Just a thought.

We are following the law, even though the law is stupid and idiotic. How is it against the law to allow children to play in their front yard, making noise---they're kids...thats what kids do. Why should the cops be called for 7-10 neighborhood kids playing basketball or football---like kids do?

This is whats wrong with our society, we allow one bad apple to ruin a whole neighborhood.

I, for one, do not want my son out selling drugs, getting in trouble, so I let him play guitar & because one person doesn't like it, my son has to stop? Thats BS.

Neighbors need to be neighborly, and stop all the BS & cop calling on kids that are trying to do right and not get in trouble.

I never had a ticket in my life, yet because Billy Bad*ss Police wants to call the police on my son [numerous times] I spend 2 days in jail? How is that fair? What does that teach our kids?

 

[Brandon Smith]

Because unfortunately for them, following their dreams does not extend to infringing on someone else's right to quiet enjoyment.Look on the bright side. I used to live next door to the ADA!

(Talk about feeling curtailed...! )

And I wholeheartedly agree, but its 4pm to 5pm during the week or afternoons during the weekends that my son is playing guitar or the neighborhood kids are out playing. My interpretation of the law, from what one officer told us, was the music cant be over 65 decibles, or after 11pm.

Its not like my son is cranking up the jams at 2am.

 

[sandyclaus]

We are following the law, even though the law is stupid and idiotic. How is it against the law to allow children to play in their front yard, making noise---they're kids...thats what kids do. Why should the cops be called for 7-10 neighborhood kids playing basketball or football---like kids do?

This is whats wrong with our society, we allow one bad apple to ruin a whole neighborhood.

I, for one, do not want my son out selling drugs, getting in trouble, so I let him play guitar & because one person doesn't like it, my son has to stop? Thats BS.

Neighbors need to be neighborly, and stop all the BS & cop calling on kids that are trying to do right and not get in trouble.

I never had a ticket in my life, yet because Billy Bad*ss Police wants to call the police on my son [numerous times] I spend 2 days in jail? How is that fair? What does that teach our kids?

And neighbors who think they're being neighborly don't intentionally push the buttons of the one law-abiding neighbor who has the power to make their lives a living hell.

Have your son play his guitar during normal hours instead of late at night when the noise ordinance kicks in. And encourage the other neighborhood kids to do the same.

As for you spending time in jail? That doesn't happen unless there's good reason for it. Your son playing his music too loud late at night usually isn't going to do it. I'll bet your 'tude has more to do with why that happened.

 

[Proserpina]

We are following the law, even though the law is stupid and idiotic. How is it against the law to allow children to play in their front yard, making noise---they're kids...thats what kids do. Why should the cops be called for 7-10 neighborhood kids playing basketball or football---like kids do?

This is whats wrong with our society, we allow one bad apple to ruin a whole neighborhood.

I, for one, do not want my son out selling drugs, getting in trouble, so I let him play guitar & because one person doesn't like it, my son has to stop? Thats BS.

Neighbors need to be neighborly, and stop all the BS & cop calling on kids that are trying to do right and not get in trouble.

I never had a ticket in my life, yet because Billy Bad*ss Police wants to call the police on my son [numerous times] I spend 2 days in jail? How is that fair? What does that teach our kids?

Petition your local congressperson.

 

[Brandon Smith]

And neighbors who think they're being neighborly don't intentionally push the buttons of the one law-abiding neighbor who has the power to make their lives a living hell.

Have your son play his guitar during normal hours instead of late at night when the noise ordinance kicks in. And encourage the other neighborhood kids to do the same.

As for you spending time in jail? That doesn't happen unless there's good reason for it. Your son playing his music too loud late at night usually isn't going to do it. I'll bet your 'tude has more to do with why that happened.

Already said that he is playing from 4 to 5 pm weekdays and afternoons on the weekends.


And from what the arresting officer told me, if there is 3 or more calls within a 10 day period for the same situation, the cops have the right to arrest. That's why I went to jail.

i am the most mild-mannered guy you will ever meet, my attitude stays in check.

 

[CdwJava]

The problem is that while the other neighbors may not have been bothered or concerned themselves with the ordinances, if they exist then the officer neighbor has a right to complain about them. It may be persnippety, and it may be downright unneighborly, but if there are ordinances being broken for noise, street obstructions, etc., then so be it. I have a neighbor like that and as a result have moved a basketball hoop from the street, to the sidewalk and then into the driveway because there were ordinance against each circumstance. yes, it was a pain and my street is not a throughway, but the placement of the hoop was still in violation of a local ordinance. I did not get angry with him for pointing this out to me, even though I thought he was being a tad anal (he doesn't like kids making noise and this street has a total of 12 houses and about 15 kids under the age of 18).

Your gripe at this point is with the ordinances. If these ordinances are unfair, perhaps you can get a few friends and neighbors to petition the local council to modify or change them to something you feel is more reasonable.

 

[Brandon Smith]

The problem is that while the other neighbors may not have been bothered or concerned themselves with the ordinances, if they exist then the officer neighbor has a right to complain about them. It may be persnippety, and it may be downright unneighborly, but if there are ordinances being broken for noise, street obstructions, etc., then so be it. I have a neighbor like that and as a result have moved a basketball hoop from the street, to the sidewalk and then into the driveway because there were ordinance against each circumstance. yes, it was a pain and my street is not a throughway, but the placement of the hoop was still in violation of a local ordinance. I did not get angry with him for pointing this out to me, even though I thought he was being a tad anal (he doesn't like kids making noise and this street has a total of 12 houses and about 15 kids under the age of 18).

Your gripe at this point is with the ordinances. If these ordinances are unfair, perhaps you can get a few friends and neighbors to petition the local council to modify or change them to something you feel is more reasonable.

I agree with what you are saying, but our gripe as neighbors or as a neighborhood is with the police officer calling the cops when kids are playing in their own front yards, being loud---but thats what kids do! [Per Se] You cant tell a 7 year old that she cant play hide and go seek or tag because mommy or daddy will have the cops called. Thats stupid (Just my 2 cents).

Its an everyday occurence with the neighbor; if kids are playing in their yards, riding bikes in their driveway---the cops get called for noise ordinance violations.

We, as a neighborhood, sent emails, letters and made phone calls to our congressman...to no avail.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

I suggest you offer to buy his house.

 

[mmmagique]

I have no doubt he's a real---something I can't say here. But you don't know for certain that the noise wasn't bothering your other neighbors. (unless you polled every single person)

The people across the street from us have a son in law who has all but moved in. He has the LOUDEST CAR IN THE WORLD!! (which is cool because before he became their son in law, he was fighting over their daughter with someone else, and I heard him say "You're just jealous 'cause I have the hottest chick in the world" *lol* so, that's what we call her now)

But OMG, this guy is driving the L.C.I.T.W. early morning, late night, afternoon nap time, tea time, and any other time you can name.

We've never said a word, nor even given them a cross look, but that car (and the noise it makes) drives us completely bonkers.

This is all just to say, neighbors don't always mention that they're being bothered. Most of us just grumble to ourselves and move on with life.

I'd probably be considering a move if I were you. Bad neighbors are no fun.