inconsiderate neighbors?

Question

I have neighbors with 3 boys ages 10, 8, and 4. They are total screamers, like screaming at the top of their lungs. Their parents just let them scream like there is no one around. Our houses are pretty close to each other and I have spoken to their mother once before about the screaming. She just apologized but nothing changed. Now they have a drum set and let the kids bang on the drums and scream at the top of their lungs. We can't sit in our backyard or keep our windows open. I can't beleive that people can be this inconsiderate of their neighbors. I know that kids make noise but this is ridiculous. And they are the only ones in the neighborhood that have kids. They moved here 3 years ago and have no consideration for anyone. I need advice on how to handle this. Thanks.

Answer 1

I can sympathize with you I had neighbors like this too. The mom would basically do the same thing when I brought it up. I had a sleeping baby at the house at the time. Finally I realized she had no control over her kids and better then fight with them she would just let them do whatever it was and she was tuning them out and actually had the nerve one day to ask me to learn how to tune out her kids.

Here are some things I did finally it did help..

1. After ten called the police for noise disruption.

2. Played Polka, Classical, or Opera loud enough to "tune" out those kids and loud enough to annoy them. I know this seems childish but it got to the point where I couldn't stand having to shut my house up to block out the noise from the rude family.

3. Talked to the neighbors on the other side of them and together we would share polka cd's and nail them from both sides (again childish I know)

In the end I went to the father. He was the one that got the noise levels down and tolerable for the neighbors. Seems mom had no control but dads word was golden.

btw. I cant stand polka.. but it helped because the neighbor kids hated it even more.. ;) Good luck to you!

Answer 2

Looking at the answers so far...yes, the parents may be frustrated, but that is still no excuse for the kids to be screaming as they do and in effect disturb the peace that people want in their homes.

I would talk to the neighbors in the area and see what they have to say first. If you happen to have a community/block association dealing with matters in your community, you could bring the subject up to them.

You could try talking to them again saying that the problem still isn't resolved and needs to be put under control.

If all else fails, then you may just have to file a complaint with your police department. At the very least, you go through the various "avenues" before you get the police involved.

Answer 3

Converse with some of your other neighbors. Are they also being driven mad by this? If so, maybe there is an issue..and if not..maybe it's really an unfair expectation that you have.

If the other neighbors do agree, maybe if a few of you mentioned something to the parents, they'd react out of embarassment. If not, you can always contact the police and request information on noise abatement laws.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

Wait till it occurs late at night, where I live 10 pm, and call the police for a noise disturbance. Continue doing so until the screaming stops.

OR

If you're awnry, get a big stereo and aim the speakers at thier house. Turn the volume all the way up and walk away.

Answer 5

Is it possible that the kids have some sort of psychological/behavioral problem? Perhaps the parents are just as frustrated as you are.