What can be done about my cop calling - harrassing neighbors in Portland, Oregon?

Question

My neighbors (across the street) have called the cops on us for noise levels and constantly threaten to call them again. When they called before someone from the city came out and advised us of the level the stereo could be at. The neighbors complain about anything that causes noise (playing basketball in the street, etc). It appears that they have a camera pointed at my house. My landlord says that if we get another complaint against us that we will be evicted. How can I make this neighbor leave us alone? Nobody else has any problems with us and have not had any for the past 6 years. Is there anything that I can do legally? I am really tired of living in fear of being evicted.

We no longer play the music louder than the law alows (though I never thought of the base "thumping" being a problem). Everything is quite after 10pm (all nights). The neighbor has also accused my kids (teenagers) of trespassing and of vandalizim. The neighbors are unwilling to speak to me. I am not asking for anything other than to live peacefully, like we did before they moved in.

Answer 1

From the way your question is stated it sounds like the neighbors had a valid complaint for noise violation in the past before someone from the city came out and showed you what acceptable levels were, the cops and your landlord are now going to believe them over you.

Best solution would be to find somewhere else to move and see if your landlord will let you out of your lease if you have one; is much more preferable and will be much easier to find another than if you are evicted. If you landlord is tired of the headache and you have been a good tenant otherwise, they may be willing to do so.

Only way to combat that is to get to know your other neighbors. Ask them to be honest with you if they have any complaints about noise or your children and if they do, don't get defense; listen in silence and take it as constructive criticism and apologize to them and tell the to please let you know the future and you will do everything you can to rectify the problem. If they don't have any complaints about you or your children, then try to found out if they have had any problems or complaints with the neighbor across the street from you. If they do, listen attentively and only in passing tell them of your problems with that neighbor and express remorse and that you wish they would talk to you so it could be worked out, but they have refused. See if any of the other neighbors are willing to vouch for you to the landlord and if so, provide a list of name and phone numbers to make it easier for your landlord to investigate the matter more fully.

If anyone does come to you with a complaint, again, don't get defensive but talk it out to work out a solution.

Another thing is to find out, if you can, where your annoying neighbors lived before and then go talk to their neighbors, if they will talk, and see if they had any problems with them. If they had the same or similar problems with the being overly picky, it would substantiate your claim that with your landlord.

Answer 2

Call an attorney tomorrow morning and go see them for the Free Consultation. In your lease, somewhere, it should state, that you are allowed to live in a peaceful dwelling. I am probably not wording it the legal mumbo jumbo way, but Somewhere, in your lease it says that...so if your neighbors are continually calling the cops on you for just about anything, that is HARASSMENT! And, your county/or city ordinance has a "noise level" policy, like after 10pm etc. noise level must be.......?. Yes you do have rights to play your stereo, play basketball, etc. you just haven't contacted the appropriate offices etc. to find out what your rights are. Now if your Blasting your stereo, if it's Bass thumping, that would drive me crazy. Because sound travels, and the "Bumping" is what I would hear, not necessarily the music per say......So if you know, and you do, it is too loud, or the Bass is too "thumping", you may want to just tone it down a tad. But still call the Court House in your county and ask where to find City/County ordinances and what they are. And call an attorney about Harassment..... And make your landlord aware of the fact you are....otherwise, your SOL......

Answer 3

I would talk to your landlord and explain that you are not happy living in fear. Tell him that you have done your best to comply with your neighbors, but that their idea of 'noise' is very different than yours. Tell him that, rather than waiting for the worst to happen (eviction), you would like to be let out of your lease. Explain that this will save EVERYONE a little trouble (he won't have to evict you, the neighbors will be glad to see you go, and you won't be walking on eggshells.)

If he refuses, just live your life normally. You might try talking to your neighbors and asking them to tell you if you are disturbing them, but, alas, people like this rarely deal in a civil way once they feel that the situation is out of hand. They are more likely to smile and nod, and then call the cops anyway.

If you do get evicted, have a backup plan. Start looking for possible areas to move to, keep an eye in the paper for places to rent, etc. Don't get caught off-gaurd if the worst should happen.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Making false reports to public safety agencies is a criminal offense. If the neighbors' complaints are false, you can ask that they be prosecuted. If, on the other hand, the dispute really involves different interpretations (yours and theirs) of the same exact facts, then you don't have much legal recourse. They may be more sensitive to noise than you are, for example.

The police don't make better neighbors. They can intervene when your health, property or person is endangered. Better neighbors make better neighbors. You might have to take the first step toward good relations with the folks next door. Talk to them. Compromise a little.

Answer 5

# 1 Stop doing whatever it is that the neighbors are complaining about.

# 2 Get a lawyer to review the complaints to see which are justifiable and which are not. There may be a noise ordinance in your neighborhood. You may need to do some sound proofing, or only play TV stereo etc. on speakers.

Answer 6

Buy a pair hidden video cameras and report each and every new incident bc it doesnt sound like they'll stop. When the cops come nail there *** for lying and making false claims through displaying the tapes to the law enforcement officials.

Answer 7

If you want to keep your apartment, then knock off the noise, you idiot! How lame can you be? People are entitled to peace and quiet in their own homes without having it disturbed by lowlife neighbors who are too oblivious to appreciate how their "thumping bass" could drive other people nuts. And keep your brats away from other people's property. But then, what's the use? If they follow your lead they'll probably grow up to be just as obnoxious as you are anyway.

Answer 8

purchase a pair hidden video cameras and report every new incident bc it doesnt sound like they will stop. When the police officers come nail there *** for mendacity and making fake claims by way of displaying the tapes to the police officers.

Answer 9

I'm glad i don't live near you.You are typical of the bad neighbours who don't give a damn about any-one else,yet blame everyone else for the problems they themselves create.If you don't learn to respect your neighbours,you deserve to be evicted.

Answer 10

I'd have to hear your neighbor's side of the story to render my opinion. Always to sides to a story you see.