When should I I call the police on my Neighbor? I have already spoken her and nothing has changed?

Question

I live in a Condo and my Neighbor has a baby 5 months ago, and It screams all the time , but what is worse is that she allows it to cry from 12am to 5am and it is effecting my health and my work.I am not the only one who is upset about this.

REWIND.. 5 months ago....I happened to be doing my last load of laundry at 10:30pm and Suddenly the police were knocking at my door.They told me that my neighbor was complaining of excessive noise from my washing machine .The good thing is that my load was on spin (the loudest point) and they could clearly see and hear that this woman was abusing the police system.And they (the police) warned her about this...
She could not even come to the door and tell me that I was loud.

Now I have put up with this screaming for two weeks and have spoken with her about this and she Could care less.

What Should I do ? call the Police ? or Talk to her one more time?
I don't even think children are allowed in this building and she is breaking the rules? HELP

Answer 1

I must disagree with a previous answerer about discrimination against children. Courts have upheld the right of condominium owners to make rules about age of occupants. It becomes a grey area where childless couples buy a unit, and then face an unexpected pregnancy.

If there is no rule in your condo about laundry hours, you have done nothing illegal and the police will not concern themselves. I woud say, however, that doing laundry at 10:30 p.m. is (to say the least) inconsiderate.

Five-month-old babies cannot talk, so they cry to express their needs. They cry when they are wet, or hungry, or teething, or whatever. It is not reasonable to infer that there is any abuse or neglect issues going on. However, you live there and I don't. If you believe, in good faith, that the child needs protection, then you have a legal obligation to report it to the authorities. Just don't "use" the child welfare office to solve a noise problem for you.

I don't think it will do any good to sic the law onto her. A crying baby is not breaking any law.

I suggest you bring your concern to the attention of the strata council. If there is a rule that you have to be a certain age to live in a unit, the strata council can do something about it--fine her if she's the owner, or get her evicted if she's a tenant.

I don't doubt the accuracy of what you say, but I do suspect that your neigbour's version of events might be a bit different from yours. Please try to see her side of it before deciding what to do about this--given the huge hassle and expense of moving and selling (especially with a baby).

For one thing, she is probably as stressed and sleepless as you are, so it is understandable that she won't have the time of day for what is obviously bugging her too. Maybe you could look for a response that is more compassionate and reasonable than just thinking about how to use the law and the rules to deal with this issue.

Answer 2

If the baby has been crying for about 2 weeks like this, she could either be teething or be colicky. Maybe you could offer her some assistance instead? Ask her if there is anything you could do that may help her out. My oldest had a tough time with colic and she would scream for hours on end. It was a very difficult time for her and for me and her father as well. Even a couple hours away while a friend took over caring for her helped me out sanity wise. If it wasn't for my friends and family helping us out through that tough time I think I would have gone insane with all the crying.

If there is a rule about children in the building, then talking to the association in charge of the building is in order but otherwise....

Answer 3

If she's a tenant and her lease says no kids, you can take care of it. Speak with your landlord.

Forget about the cops, they've got their jobs to worry about - one complaint from her and they'd wish they'd never responded to your call. Plus, sounds like there has been no threats of violence or anything like that, so leave them out of it.

If the noise persists for long periods, you have good cause to make a complaint about it. If you like in the UK, you'd have to contact your local council and speak to the noise pollution department (I know, I know, its a baby - but its still classed as noise). If you're elsewhere you'd be well advised to check with a local citizens advice bureau or similar.

Also, think of it this way - if the child is crying for long periods, and nothing is done to comfort the child - then that is neglect. I think in that case, you'd have a moral (and if you lived in france - legal) obligation to report the matter to the relevant authorities. There's no hard and fast rule - but 12am TO 5 am does sound excessive.

Finally, take solace in this undeniable fact - you only have to put up with this for a while longer. The mum - she's got a whole lot more coming :) Chill.

Answer 4

First of all if you are in the united states it is against the law to discriminate against children ..so children are allowed where ever YOU are!

Evidently you have never had a child because you would know they don't come with on off switches ..so its not like she can just shut her baby up when every it cries ..some kids cry more than others. If you think the baby is being abused ..call children's services..they will investigate her. If you are just salty because she called the police on you and you are just being hateful and trying to get back at her ..well you need to find something better to do with your life or move somewhere else.

Answer 5

i think you should call the police right away that doesnt sound like a good life for that poor baby maybe police enforcment can help take action if she is abusing the baby and in that case the baby would hopefully be taken away or at least get taken care of better so he/she wouldnt be crying as much

Answer 6

Im sorry but babies cry, but not for really long periods of time. If she does let the baby cry for this long then it ciuld be classed as neglect. Maybe you should be talking to someone from social services and see what they say. Dont go to the police as they will see it as a unneccesary call out.

Answer 7

The mom may not be neglecting her child she may actually be rocking and trying to calm her baby down. Some baby's are colicky and no matter what you do they cry during the night. Obviously you just don't like kids with your title name being Dogs R better than babies. Maybe you should just chill and let the kido grow up and they will grow out of it!

Answer 8

Have you talked to the leasing office? They ahve a resposiblity to their tenants in this situation. Even so, you are free to call the police an time you think is reasonable. There is a law allowing you peaceful enjoyment of your home. Also, if the baby is screaming that many hours a day, maybe a call to CPS is in order too? Why does it scream for that long??

Answer 9

Move....for your health ... just move. You will be happier somewhere else with good neighbours.

If this is not an option, you should report the living situation to your landlord. If children are not aloud in the building, then she may have to move. Then your life will improve.

I have had freaky, violent, unstable neighbours before, but have moved and life is great!
Good luck!!!

Answer 10

I don't have a kid, but I honestly am with you in believing that a child should not be in a condominium!
The thing is.... her as a new mother is under allot of stress
She should have made arrangements to live in a child friendly place before she popped out the kid.
1) record the "ruckus"
2) inform D.S.S.
They will in-turn direct you as to which way the situation should be handled.
I Don't have kids......... I will never have kids 31y/o not yet wife fixed.