Case Study - Noise
September, 2013: GMCA recieved a note from a member...
"GMCA,
"I know this is not what you all do in the association, but I am at my wits end. I'm a member and enjoy living in the GM area; however, after living here only 2 years, I am ready to pack up and move due to NON STOP bass, guitar and drum playing next door. They play from sun up to sun down and it is exhausting to hear ALL the time. They are so loud that my own music or TV does not drown this noise out. They abide by the 11 PM to 7 AM peace hours, but 8 hours is not enough rest for me.
"I was hoping someone in the association could recommend whom I can talk to to see if I have any rights beyond the disturbing the peacehours? Normally, I would talk to these folks, but it is a group of teenagers and I am a single woman living alone. I understand from other neighbors here that this age group is the number one offender of crimes in this area, so I do not want to upset these folks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!"
"I know this is not what you all do in the association, but I am at my wits end. I'm a member and enjoy living in the GM area; however, after living here only 2 years, I am ready to pack up and move due to NON STOP bass, guitar and drum playing next door. They play from sun up to sun down and it is exhausting to hear ALL the time. They are so loud that my own music or TV does not drown this noise out. They abide by the 11 PM to 7 AM peace hours, but 8 hours is not enough rest for me.
"I was hoping someone in the association could recommend whom I can talk to to see if I have any rights beyond the disturbing the peacehours? Normally, I would talk to these folks, but it is a group of teenagers and I am a single woman living alone. I understand from other neighbors here that this age group is the number one offender of crimes in this area, so I do not want to upset these folks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!"
A volunteer replied:
1. I did a search on Lakewood for noise, http://www.lakewood.org/SearchResults.aspx?sc=noise , which is step #1 on our Problem Property web page.
1. I did a search on Lakewood for noise, http://www.lakewood.org/SearchResults.aspx?sc=noise , which is step #1 on our Problem Property web page.
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9.52.020 Declaration of policy
It is declared that at certain levels, noise is detrimental to public health, comfort, convenience, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city. This chapter is enacted to protect, preserve and promote the health, welfare, peace and quiet of the citizens of Lakewood through the reduction, prohibition and regulation of noise. It is the intent of this chapter to establish and provide for sound levels that will eliminate unreasonable and excessive noise, reduce community noise, promote a comfortable enjoyment of life, property and conduct of business, and prevent sound levels which are physically harmful and detrimental to individuals and the community. (Ord. O-86-42 § 1 (part), 1986). |
I wonder if the city would discuss this policy with you. And elaborate. I don't see an 11 PM to 7 AM clause, at least so far.
2. You are obviously also at step #4, contacting GMCA. So you now have my ear.
...
4. Do you know if any of your other neighbors have a similar problem?
5. What have you tried?
Like I say, we have begun. Can we start by chatting about these kind of things? And, I'll say it a different way, GMCA is a volunteer civic association that is not an HOA and it has no statutory power. We do have imagination.
2. You are obviously also at step #4, contacting GMCA. So you now have my ear.
...
4. Do you know if any of your other neighbors have a similar problem?
5. What have you tried?
Like I say, we have begun. Can we start by chatting about these kind of things? And, I'll say it a different way, GMCA is a volunteer civic association that is not an HOA and it has no statutory power. We do have imagination.
A few days later...
"Thanks for the quick response. I also appreciate the link to the noise ordinance. I called Lakewood non-911 last night and after a few pass-alongs, finally received two points of contacts for the Lakewood Sector Liaison Unit (SLU):
Agent Mark Mansanares (303) 987-7385 and Agent Lee Thomas (303) 987-7387
I left a message with agent Mansanares last night and he left me a message this afternoon. It sounds like there may be some recourse and options available to me, but I didn't have time to listen to the entire message. I am still at work, but will get to this later this evening and report back to you what he advised."
"Thanks for the quick response. I also appreciate the link to the noise ordinance. I called Lakewood non-911 last night and after a few pass-alongs, finally received two points of contacts for the Lakewood Sector Liaison Unit (SLU):
Agent Mark Mansanares (303) 987-7385 and Agent Lee Thomas (303) 987-7387
I left a message with agent Mansanares last night and he left me a message this afternoon. It sounds like there may be some recourse and options available to me, but I didn't have time to listen to the entire message. I am still at work, but will get to this later this evening and report back to you what he advised."
And then a few days...
"Just to follow through, he advised that an SLU agent could stop by and provide a warning if the noise was amplified and it would not be traced back to me. If the nose is unreasonable and they repeat the behavior, they would get cited and have to appear in court, at which time I would be needed to testify.
"... I think sharing with GM residents that the SLU exists and focuses often on neighborhood disputes would be helpful. My best,"
"Just to follow through, he advised that an SLU agent could stop by and provide a warning if the noise was amplified and it would not be traced back to me. If the nose is unreasonable and they repeat the behavior, they would get cited and have to appear in court, at which time I would be needed to testify.
"... I think sharing with GM residents that the SLU exists and focuses often on neighborhood disputes would be helpful. My best,"