Posted on 05/29/2021 8:04:14 PM PDT by fwdude
I’m only airing this on this public forum because I’ve never encountered it to this degree before. Here’s the story: new neighbors moved in about three months ago in my semi rural, large lot residential neighborhood in the outskirts of my large city. I’ve lived here exactly 14 years now, and in that time I’ve experienced a level of quiet peace that most people would envy. The sounds of nature is about as loud as it gets, discounting the occasional Harley or ricer racing down the nearby thoroughfare.
The neighbors are a large family of, shall we say, south-of-the-border derivation, and have had several loud outdoor after-dark parties, complete with the amplified Hispanic loud-bass music in the maddeningly plodding rhythm that we’ve all heard. They also keep a couple of medium to large dogs outside who bark sporadically throughout the night (they are tethered, which is another issue.) They also brought with them at least one rooster, which begins crowing loudly at 4:30 AM each morning. The parties include a lot of loud drunken yelling in Mexican and very loud laughing and conversation. The bedroom wing of my house is adjacent to our shared property line, about 45 feet away. I hear it all.
Before I go on, I want to make it clear that I am one of the biggest live-and-let -live people on earth. I reached out to them when they moved in to introduce myself and let them know who I was. They were standoffish from the start, however.
The last party, about a month ago, went past midnight, and I finally called the police to lodge a complaint. I figured if they somehow were oblivious to the city ordinances against unreasonable noise, and oblivious to the fact that the noise was disturbing a neighbor, they would need to know about it and make a decision. But, here we go again.
I love farm life and animals and can live with the rooster crowing and occasional dog barks, but this is developing into a persistant pattern. Am I being a “Karen” by reporting them? One part of me wants to be tolerant to a fault. The other part of me says that they have absolutely ZERO consideration for the peaceful enjoyment of their neighbors, so screw them.
Anyone with a similar problem?
It’s awful. It is so unsettling to be at odds with neighbors.
Just a comment, further.
You stated “large lot” semi-rural, then mentioned 45’.
45’ is NOT large-lot per se. I live too close to my neighbors now (25’ one direction) whereas my parents house was at least 100’ from any house. And I never thought of that as “large”, just much better than the avg single-family neighborhood. My current is .45 acre and my parents .67 acre. Both look large but my current is configured with long lots so side neighbors just too close.
If you’re 45’, which is much like one neighbor of ours on our bedroom side also, your lot provides no real protection!
Are any of your other neighbors bothered by this new familia’s loud partying, amigo?
Delt with this also. Numerous
calls to the cops, to no avail.
We installed noise reducing
window inserts. They worked fairly
well, with only the loudest reports
of sound (like gunshots or
backfires), being heard. Dead air
space between panes is how these
work. Hope this helps!
You need to ask? These may be gang banger folks. They care nothing for you but may get pissed if you provoke them. Calling the sheriff ay not help much.
A Bottle ok skunk essence goes a long way-
Dog barking at night is a common problem. Bad owners
You should NEVER EVER LET YOUR DOG BOTHER THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT 2am. Never
I did something like that a few years ago riding the bus thru Santa Ana, sat in the back of the bus with a drak green shirt on with dark sunglasses, made many people either not get on the bus or get off at the next stop. Did the for a few weeks.
Recruit other neighbors that are affected and get them on your side. Then, call the cops when they are violating the peace and quiet at night. Rotate who calls the cops so there is the entire neighborhood involved. If the cops refuse to do anything elevate the situation to, shall we say, hired help.
It’s difficult when you find out that you are the best neighbor in the neighborhood.
If the problem is renters, you can usually get more success by providing the landlord contact info to the police so that each time you complain to the authorities they can contact the landlord. If you complain to the landlord they will either ignore you or explain that they can’t do anything with the renters either.
But complain to the authorities each time the problem exceeds legs limits. Then hope the police find a more serious violation when they follow up on your complaint. That way the offenders have a track record and get on the radar.
Living in Minnesota, I had one neighbor who played gangsta rap till 5 am. Excuse me I have to go to work in the morning. Explaining to him no work, apartment manager was useless, Eagan Police called me racist if I objected. This was 2007, but this was Minnestoopid.
So I countered by placing my speakers against the wall. Turned it up to 11 . Started with Iron Maiden, progressed to Motörhead, Corrosion of Conformity, to Sepultura, and then Norwegian Black Metal. So he thinks he’s going to sleep at 5 am, only to get blasted by Dimmu Borgir as I lave for work at the refinery. He eventually moved out, saying something about a goat being slaughtered.
Go to your tax assessor records online to see who the owner is. Perhaps this is the site for your area?:
https://www.tad.org/property-search/
Yes self awareness is extremely lacking in some groups. From what I have observed. Now to the problem.
Does your city or county have a noise ordinance? Does that ordinance include the measuring of decibels before a citation can be issued? Does it state what hours the ordinance is in effect? Is it based on residential zoning? Is it actually ever enforced? If the answers to these is yes find out how to file a complaint with code enforcement as well as with the police.
Does your city have a housing code? Does your city have a health department. It may be that the number of persons living there is a violation of the above. Mostly because the septic system (I assume you are not on city sewer) can’t handle that much going into it. The square footage of the tank and drain field is usually based on the number of bedrooms (not bathrooms) because that gives a better idea of occupant load. The housing code addresses the amount of square footage of living space needed per occupant. Some cities have ordinances limiting the number of non-related persons allowed. Unless it is a drug rehab house than all bets are off cause ADA says so. So those departments may be another avenue for you to try.
Look up their parcel on the property appraisers web page. If Texas has homestead exemption and it is claimed that shows they are owners. If there is no homestead exemption claimed then it follows they rent. Once you find out their names you should if Texas is an public record state be able to find copies of their warranty deed and mortgage on your county clerk of court site. Hope that helps.
Call immigration. In fact get yourself a bullhorn. The next time they start up yell “Migra!’’ and watch them scatter.
I had a neighbor breeding large, noisy, dangerous dogs, working on loud cars, and throwing parties every weekend. I mixed up five gallons of chicken broth, Miracle Grow, etc, and sprayed it on his house, garage, cars, etc. Hardly noticeable. I did this once a week. After a month or two, everything had turned mildew black and stunk like death. A few anonymous tips to the township and the SPCA, and the dogs were gone. I kept spraying. The neighbors moved away within a year.
“Mexican is a nationality...not a language.”
He knows that. He was making a point,...which you missed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.