Cop moves in, neighborhood goes to hell

[CdwJava]

I'm not saying he is being reasonable, but if there were no statutes being broken there would be no action for the police to take. As petty as they might be, those laws apparently exist. Until you seek to challenge them in some way through the courts, he can continue to use them as tools against whomever he believes is disturbing his peace. It's sad when things get like this, but if the laws are in his favor you have only two options - make peace, or change the laws.

 

[Proserpina]

Having had a minor brainstorming session with Mr Pro, he came up with a wonderful compromise:

Soundproof your basement, let the kids play there!


The kids get to play as loud as they want, and the neighbor has no complaints.

Win/win, surely?!

 

[xylene]

While the idea of soundproofing a basement is theoretically good, doing it well enough to actually silence rock music is harder and more expensive than you might think.

Your children are getting old enough to have a proper place to follow there rock dream - a grungy practice space in some industrial district.

Basketball and football are supposed to be played in parks not the street. If your city doesn't have adequate neighborhood parks, well that is your fault, at least collectively speaking.

When a ball enters a neighbors yard, instruct the children to ask. Simply trespassing to retrieve a ball is not proper, even if this guy is being a prig.

There is nothing stopping you and the neighbors from baiting this guy, doing everything right up to the line however. Report his every little transgression.

 

[Brandon Smith]

I'm not saying he is being reasonable, but if there were no statutes being broken there would be no action for the police to take. As petty as they might be, those laws apparently exist. Until you seek to challenge them in some way through the courts, he can continue to use them as tools against whomever he believes is disturbing his peace. It's sad when things get like this, but if the laws are in his favor you have only two options - make peace, or change the laws.

The thing is HE is not being reasonable. I can see if it was 10pm and the kids were screaming, yelling, doing wrong...but these are 7, 8, 9, 10 year old kids riding bikes, playing in their yards--being kids. Yes the kids get loud, but they are kids. We did the same things when we were kids. Why punish kids for being kids and being active.

Also, all the neighborhood gatherings have been stopped due to him calling the police. Why can't neighbors get together and have a safe, good time--no drugs, no alcohol--just adults hanging out playing with their kids.

Having had a minor brainstorming session with Mr Pro, he came up with a wonderful compromise:

Soundproof your basement, let the kids play there!


The kids get to play as loud as they want, and the neighbor has no complaints.

Win/win, surely?!

We had a talk with HIM and one of the police officers that came out. I was told I would have to go pay money fill out a form at the courthouse to legally do any home repairs that can violate a noise ordinance. And there is NO guarantee that my form would be accepted.

 

[Brandon Smith]

While the idea of soundproofing a basement is theoretically good, doing it well enough to actually silence rock music is harder and more expensive than you might think.

Your children are getting old enough to have a proper place to follow there rock dream - a grungy practice space in some industrial district.

Basketball and football are supposed to be played in parks not the street. If your city doesn't have adequate neighborhood parks, well that is your fault, at least collectively speaking.

When a ball enters a neighbors yard, instruct the children to ask. Simply trespassing to retrieve a ball is not proper, even if this guy is being a prig.

There is nothing stopping you and the neighbors from baiting this guy, doing everything right up to the line however. Report his every little transgression.

We play basketball and football in my neighbor (not the cop's) yard and mine because they are connected with grass large enough for a football game. We live on a cul-de-sac and the driveways are on the opposite sides of our respective houses, and we use those as end zones.

Yes my son can go practice at a practice space, but its $100 an hour for the cheapest place in our area.

The closest park to us is 30 mins away, and is usually filled with hoodlums, and drug activity. The schools lock their gates by 4pm, so we can't play there.

 

[Proserpina]

While the idea of soundproofing a basement is theoretically good, doing it well enough to actually silence rock music is harder and more expensive than you might think.

Doubt it.

Says the ex-wife of that guy who was "always going to make it big" in "the band", transformed 3 basements (and counting, I believe ) into "recording studios" and lost a whole bunch of money producing said band.

Insert cringing icon here.

 

[CdwJava]

The thing is HE is not being reasonable.

Never said he was. However, the law appears to be on his side - as I said.

I can see if it was 10pm and the kids were screaming, yelling, doing wrong...but these are 7, 8, 9, 10 year old kids riding bikes, playing in their yards--being kids. Yes the kids get loud, but they are kids. We did the same things when we were kids. Why punish kids for being kids and being active.

I have had the same discussion with that fellow in my neighborhood, and with others in similar neighborhoods. But, as I said, if the law is on their side, your options are limited.

Also, all the neighborhood gatherings have been stopped due to him calling the police. Why can't neighbors get together and have a safe, good time--no drugs, no alcohol--just adults hanging out playing with their kids.

Like I said, he may not be acting reasonably, but the law as it exists may be on his side. Perhaps you can push the issue ... bring the media along (or your own video) to show what actually IS happening, and when the cops come to issue a cite based upon the neighbor's complaint, make HIM look like the Adam Henry. A judge may decide that the officers' interpretation of the ordinance or state law is too broad and is not actually a criminal violation ... who knows? Until it gets before a judge, you just don't know.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

the police officer told him "You are trespassing on my property, and I have the right to shoot you, legally".

This kid, or his parents should file a complaint with the police department. He does not have the right to shoot a mere trespasser, and threatening to do so is a crime in itself.

 

[LdiJ]

Doubt it.

Says the ex-wife of that guy who was "always going to make it big" in "the band", transformed 3 basements (and counting, I believe ) into "recording studios" and lost a whole bunch of money producing said band.

Insert cringing icon here.

I just did a bit of googling and it does appear that it could be done for not humongous amounts of money...and if its just the base that is really the problem, for even less humongous amounts of money.

 

[csi7]

I would soundproof the basement, add some sound barriers to the playing area, and put some quiet game time outside for the kids to practice as well.

It's easy to get upset, harder to find positive methods to reduce the friction when a new neighbor makes it obvious that the situation is going to be handled their way by the rules totally.

We used the quiet game time to draw out the complainer, since they couldn't hear what was going on, they came outside. The kids, and adults watching just ignored the people, and kept playing quietly. It took a couple of weeks, then the neighbor finally spoke up about what the real problem was and that problem was resolved, with the kids being allowed to play basketball on certain afternoons when the neighbor was not a "day sleeper".

Best wishes.

 

[FarmerJ]

Two things , learn the exact details of your cities noise ordinances and then invest in a decible meter and if have another bbq and make it clear to any whom you invite you may well record it , as far as kids , yard and play , and activities that make sound You certainly are free to record it , install recording equipement and if you get a visit from police officers again at times of day noises are reasonable and show them your meter , if sound levels are under a defined in a ord number tell them politely but firmly you have not violated a law , If they insist then promise they are going to be very unhappy with you when you go to the media and share your recordings with them. Also spend some time speaking to your city council person LOL invite them to come to your next bbq , its still nice enough out to have a recreational fire outside too you know !

 

[Zigner]

The thing is HE is not being reasonable.

Hmmmm, really?

All the folks who are breaking the law are being reasonable and the one person who expects that people will abide by the law is being unreasonable.

That is simply an unrealistic take on the situation. You have other options for the various activities, they are simply not convenient for you.

It was suggested earlier that you offer to buy the neighbor out - that is probably a very reasonable option for you.

 

[xylene]

Soundproofing a basement, so that no sound of rock music can be heard is very difficult and expensive.

I'm not talking abating the sound until the sound that escapes is no longer loud and inviolation of code.

I've seen these neighbor sound wars.
The authorities are going to side with the whiny cop if any music can be heard.

That is a standard of professional, or at least professional grade soundproofing. Safe sound deadening material costs several dollars a square foot (for all the surfaces), that on top of the structural changes like rubberized drywall, extra studs... etc.

 

[Brandon Smith]

Hmmmm, really?

All the folks who are breaking the law are being reasonable and the one person who expects that people will abide by the law is being unreasonable.

That is simply an unrealistic take on the situation. You have other options for the various activities, they are simply not convenient for you.

It was suggested earlier that you offer to buy the neighbor out - that is probably a very reasonable option for you.

How are kids breaking the law by being kids? Kids are loud, they play, that's what kids do.

Is it a crime for kids to play in their own yard?

Like I said earlier, I (along with the other neighbors) would rather have the neighborhood kids be loud and playing in their own yards instead of out being criminals or doing illegal activities.

We do videotape/record the cookouts, holidays with the neighbors, and we have shown the local police the videos; their response is "videotape audio is distorted and can appear less volume than normal audio". Therefore, the neighborhood is now technically under his "direction" and "dictatorship".

Who can police the police?

 

[CdwJava]

How are kids breaking the law by being kids? Kids are loud, they play, that's what kids do.

Is it a crime for kids to play in their own yard?

Like I said earlier, I (along with the other neighbors) would rather have the neighborhood kids be loud and playing in their own yards instead of out being criminals or doing illegal activities.

But, if said noise, or running in the streets, or whatever the activity, is against the law, then your wishes and desires would be irrelevant. It may be a nitpicky interpretation of noise laws or laws that address roadway obstructions, but if they exist then the neighbor officer is certainly within his legal right to report them.

Who can police the police?

The city government - council, city manager, or whoever runs the city. But, even they cannot force the police to ignore the law, and if state law says a person can be disturbed by noise, then the matter may well have to work its way before a judge for a ruling.