My neighbor keeps calling the cops (Orange County, Ca)

[Mvue]

We moved into our new home back in April, and we have a neighbor that lives in an apartment over a garage. Her bathroom window and her kitchen window over looks our yard. So she can see everything from her kitchen window. We have been here for 3 months and we like to bbq outside at least once a week. And we all work retail, so we don't usually start cooking until about 8pm. She has since called the cops on us 3 times. Each time that they have come to our home, the cops always apologizes and tells us that they can not hear us however, since the neighbor called, they had to come out and make sure we weren't having a party late at night. We are not throwing crazy loud parties, and this lady keeps calling the cops on us. When can I formally file a complaint against her? I feel like it is a waste of the cops time and money to come out for such silly things. Of the 3 times that they have stopped by my house, they have never warned us to be quiet nor have they told us that we could possible receive a fine. But I am still afraid that she might call them so many times, that they do fine us. Is there anything I can do about this?

[Legoate]

I would guess that since your neighbor his calling the police, you are irritating her with your activities. You could try just knocking on her door and ask her what you can do to be a better neighbor.

Personally, If you had bbq's on work nights outside past 9 PM I may get a little irritated myself. Despite attempting to be quiet, noise carries a long way a night. A lot of people go to be at night and during the summer many like to sleep with their windows open- something they can't do with a bunch of people chatting next door.

In the end, you have to live there. You can either live there in harmony with your neighbors or you can have an ongoing fight the entire rest of the time you live there- you decide.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Why don't you call the department's non-emergency number during business hours and ask them? They're in a much better position to answer your question.

[TEXASCOP]

Where I work, I would have to hear you and reasonably believe that noise is excessive. We have a city ordinance for excessive or unusual noise. We generally don't issue citations for it unless we respond to an address multiple times in one night. If the noise had stopped prior to our arrival then there is really nothing we can do other than advise the homeowners that someone called. We have our regulars that complain. One lady would call in once or twice a week complaining of the neighbors popping fire works or playing loud music (this lady calls and complains about everything). One day during briefing our Sergeant advised of complaints of speeding on a particular road (complaining lady's road). At about noon I parked on that street to run a little radar, I was about one house down from hers. I'm sitting waiting for my next victim LOL and my dispatch advises of a call on this street for someone popping fire works. My windows were down and I'm not all to hard of hearing. It was supper quiet on the street aside from the occasional car passing by. I get out of my car and just as I'm approaching the lady's door my dispatch advised the complainant called back and stated she just heard another firework go off. Long story short the neighbors were moving stuff around in their back yard, but never made any loud noises. I chewed her butt for a little bit (she called and complained to my sergeant he could have gave to craps about her calling). Your neighbor is probably just has something stuck up a place it shouldn't be or she is jealous she never gets invited to the BBQ's. Maybe just go talk to her.

[retdetsgt]

I agree that knocking on her door and talking to her might score some points and help with the problem. I doubt it will make it worse as long as you remain polite. If she isn't reasonable, just thank her and walk away.

Around here, noise ordinances are only in effect from 10 pm to 7 am. Any noise other than those hours has to be a whole lot of decibels before we can do anything and our dispatch tell callers that. Parties don't reach that level unless they have a pretty huge amplifier and speakers in the backyard. After 10, just about any noise that permeates someone else's house is illegal.

All that being said, you might check with your local police and see what the ordinance is there. Also, if she becomes chronic, at some point the police may put her on a list and quit responding to those calls from here.

[mcsap]

Maybe it's the smoke ?

[Mvue]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the great advice! I think this lady just has nothing better to do. I'll check with the local PD dept. But I do know that the noise ordinances for our city is from 10pm to 7am, and we are always considerate of that. She even complained about my kids playing outside (in the day time!). Maybe she shouldn't live in a city where they turn garages into apartments that overlooks into all of her neighbors yards. We get along with everyone of our surrounding neighbors, and I spoke to another neighbor that lives adjacent to her, and apparently she complains about them too. I spoke with the landlord and he advised me to just ignore her. When he was painting the house (before we moved in) she apparently complained about the smell. The best I can do is follow the rules and ignore her... for now. :D Thanks again!!

[mobrien316]

Invite her to the next BBQ.

[Ispbear]

Maybe at the next BBQ you can pretend you chop somebody up and are then cooking them for a meal. Maybe it would freak her out so much she would move.

[Mvue]

Oooo Good idea... I know of a slaughter house in Riverside.. I can go buy a whole pig and chop it up outside. LOLOLOL Jk.... :D

[Cat_Doc]

After 10, just about any noise that permeates someone else's house is illegal.

This is a key factor.

I've rolled on 100's, if not more, noise complaint calls during my career. I've been very successful speaking with the reported offenders and letting them know that I want them to enjoy their music or conversation. I mention that they have a constitutional right to listen to whatever kind of music they want and free speech.

However, I inform that that their pursuit of happiness stops the very second their music or voices travel into someone else's home which violates the complainant's equal right to peace and quiet.

The OP needs to take into consideration that not all neighbors work in retail and some people consider 8 or 9 p.m. to be their bedtime. I wonder if it would disturb the OP if one his his/her neighbors began mowing their lawn at 5:00 a.m. after the OP had been up late at a BBQ?

I agree with the advice to contact your neighbor and invite her to one of your functions while asking if there is anything in particular you could do to not disturb her. If the neighbor engages, she now has some ownership in the issue and is less likely to call the police without contacting you first.

Or, you could just ignore her and get to know your local police on a first name basis.