Now that the Holiday season is upon us some of our neighbors have beautifully decorated their homes.  Some with lights, others with lights and sound.  How loud is too loud?  If you can hear the neighbor's music inside your house and late at night, what shoudl we do.  There a Plantation covenant #10 that states:

10. NUISANCES - No noxious or offensive activity shall be carried on upon any lot nor shall anything be done thereon which may be or become an annoyance or nuisance to the neighborhood.

Last year we did nothing but it has started again this year.  We hate to be unfriendly, but it is loud.  What would you do?  Should we just have the Bartlett police stop and give ask them nicely to lower the music?  Give us your thoughts.

I would go straight to the problem and discuss it with that person. Most of the time a simple conversation makes a big difference. Calling the police will just anger the other party and that woyuld just cause unwanted tension. However if the problem is not resolved then I would call the police and let them handle it the way they like to.

Sometimes these fools cannot be dealt with and will take OFFENSE that you don't like their activity ....................... I would rather just call the LAW and have them ENFORCE the ORDINANCE .............................. nip it in the bud.

I have dealt many, many times with offenders, police, neighbors, and victims throughout the U.S. (and Australia) for years regarding what many prefer to call "sonic assault" (www.lowertheboom.org).

I have received death threats and have also sent morons to prison for threatening officials or imitating federal agents. I would not hesitate to say that a good 90% of the sociopathic morons who disregard the rights of others will not only scoff at a person's attempt at reasonable communication and resolution, but will turn it up a few decibels while you are sleeping and chuckle as they flip you the bird. They are mentally ill (http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/antisocial-personality-disorder). You can have the police nicely ask them to stop. Then it will be on record. If they have to return 3 or 4 times, the police might begin issuing citations or fines.

Document the occurances, meet with police at your precinct and nicely ask for their assistance, enlist the help of neighbors and the weight of anti-noise groups. Ask for extra patrols through the neighborhood when possible, and enforcement of the noise ordinances.

Nicely complain, complain, complain. Complain.  Also - complain. Get as many brave neighbors as possible to -- guess what -- complain.  If the police do not know it is a real problem, they won't respond. The noise will continue to get worse, much like when a couple of kindergarteners get out of control and there is nobody there to discipline them.I would like hearing how this comes out. I am guessing though, that this will be the same process I have heard about 100s of time before.

Good luck. There is a quiet army behind you.