Neighbor problem, got an idea...what u think?

[Streamline]

well, Plants can act as a natural barrier for sound. believe me my house was surrounded by 27+ years of growth and the plants kept all the noise out. For safety reasons however, we had to clear it. Now we hear a whole lot more than before....

Luckily our house was build very well, and the place is pretty sound proof, so even the noise we do hear has to be quite loud to penetrate the walls.

and hey, ear plugs are a great means to sleep peacefully

LOL well i thought it was funny because i pictured BSL building a big metal dome as sound proof barrier over his house and him sitting there watching TV with ear plugs in haha.

 

[BikeSwimLaugh]

Okay....first-off, Dallen....sorry if I got a bit too defensive. I've always respected your words and it bothered me a bit when you condemned my idea as immature/stupid and then later wished them to continue just to teach me a lesson. I think you could have expressed yourself in a less offensive/abrasive manner that may not have provoked me...but it is what it is. We'll leave it at that.

Secondly, despite all I write, none of you have the intimate details about this whole situation. Again; the police are utterly ineffective and attempts to talk to these people are equally dysfunctional. Aside from spending a LOT of time with court orders, neighborhood petitions and other stuff...there really is no practical solution. I don't think any of you are grasping the concept of this device and how it works. Only after midnight AND when the sound is obnoxiously loud will these people get some audible counter-measures...if they turn the music down to a reasonable level they'll be fine and everyone's happy.

They aren't going to crank it louder because that could only be accomplished with stadium speakers and a 220-volt amplifier. I'm merely building what is essentially a bark-collar that a dog would wear...triggered only after midnight and by excessive volume levels. They won't be able to continue party'ing with that high-pitched tone working in their cranium. The moment they turn the volume down to a reasonable level, my devices sound turns-off. Yes: I'm behavior conditioning them....and it will work. Besides, they won't be able to figure out which of the 4 houses surrounding them the sound is coming from.

MORE IMPORTANT...I was more so interested in feedback to see if a device/invention like this would be something worth selling on Ebay.

It's stupid. For gods sake man, act like an adult, instead of behaving in this childish manner....there are better ways to handle this. Instead of attacking your neighbors (regardless if they are A--holes or not) is never going to get you anywhere, and in fact, could more likely backfire on you.

Have you even considered planting large bushes as a nature barrier? Sound proofing you home? ear plugs?

Have you considered that what you are planning to do may be illegal, and could be construed as assault, or harassment?

Honestly it is 2 times a year, and there are better ways to deal with this sort of situation than this tit for tat crap....grow up.

Pretty bitter words there GotFit, thought we were friends n' all? (must have been that double-wide comment I made on that tattoo thread eh? ) I'm trying to come up with a clever & innovative approach to a problem that seems to have no readily available solution.....and I was soliciting for opinions on the concept.

Well, let's see. I'm an insulation contractor and some of my work involves sound-proofing between units (wall insulation, injected). I also do sound-stages & recording studios....so I just might know a thing or two about sound-proofing.

Between my property and their's is a 6-foot cinder-block wall, the blocks are 6" thick and the cavaties are filled with rebar & concrete. Because they have a tennis court they have a fence that runs an addtional 3.5-feet above the block wall....in this is a dense creeping-fig vine. Desipte this ALREADY EXISTING natural sound barrier the sound still comes POUNDING into my home over 200+ feet away.

My home? My walls are made of 2x6 and my thermal/sound insulation is packed tight in each bay. That's pro-grade soundproofing in & of itself. My windows are all double-pane, low-E with argon gas. The doors are weather-stripped too. I've done my part.

Me and my whole family AND the neighborhood wearing ear-plugs? Please. This being illegal or harrassment??....um, that's what they're doing. Again; my device only turns-on after midnight and only when their music is absurdly loud. My device turns-off the instant they bring their music level from OBNOXIOUS to just semi-loud. I would love to see them call the police at 2am to complain that I'm answering their gross sound violation because it just so happens to "set off my alarm system". I know how the cops operate, it's not going to happen.

Practical solutions exhausted, this seems like a good idea. You all think I'm just going to blast noise at 'em, not the case. It works on dogs, it'll work on them.

Countless times I've had people condemn my ideas only to later admit they were wrong. Say what you will, think what you want...jab me with a few insults; whatever. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt by figuring you aren't aware of all the details...such as my already sound-proofed home or the natural barrier already up.

So, just curious. When you call the police you dont' call like 911 right? u call like the police station's number?

Dave....it's a "non-emergency", so I call 1-800 ASK-LAPD....they repeatedly assure me they'll take care of it. I always tell them these people have street-spotters and the police never seem to be effective, and they assure me they'll take care of it this time. That's part of my frustration; these people seem to be above the law.

The last time someone got them to stop, it was (as mentioned before) a neighbor waiting between songs and then screaming at the top of his lungs "it's too loud, turn it off" at like 2:15am. They turned it off. Talking to them doesn't work, the Police don't work...but screaming at them does.

How about I get a tape-recorder with a looping voice saying the same thing, run it to a mega-phone facing their property and have it on a remote so I can (from the comfort of my home) turn it on & off? That is essentially the same thing and to date the ONLY thing that works...would that be green with ya'll?

 

[Phate89]

If they do this only twice a year, then who cares? And your right, if they are middle eastern theres a better chance its more of a cultural party with family and relatives. How about for 2 times a year instead of sleeping when you usually do, you ask them if you can join the party.

 

[BikeSwimLaugh]

Phate.....please understand, I have MANY middle-eastern friends and I'm just saying that part of the cultural thing often involves going way-late into the night with parties.

I've heard a lot of "it's just 2 times per year".....well let me tell ya, it's just like jury-duty that comes only ONCE per year, but darned if everyone doesn't hate it, dread it and many go to extreme lengths to get out of it. Sure, it sounds like no biggy to endure a bi-yearly acoustic assault....but why is it I have to be considerate of my neighbors and obey the law...and they don't?

My kids are young, I have an 8 year-old and twin 6 year olds. If they don't get to sleep until 2am+, it pretty much ruins 'em. Joining the party isn't part of the solution.

Again....people around here do have loud parties, but they often give notice to neighbors and around midnight they generally turn it down to a quiet roar. I'm telling you...this noise is generated over 200-feet away and with the bass, my windows are shaking a bit.

I can tell what's happening at the party....party members themselves keep turning it down beause it's got to even hurt their ears...but then it goes back up again. Fine, let them bleed their ear drums, but by midnight it's just gotta come down a bit. I promise, if any of you slept over my place and endured this bullsh!t, you'd be sitting around the next day b!tching about how wrong it was....OR I'd be picking you up at the Police station of hospital after you got done going over there to try to take care of it.

 

[Danger_Dave]

Dave....it's a "non-emergency", so I call 1-800 ASK-LAPD....they repeatedly assure me they'll take care of it. I always tell them these people have street-spotters and the police never seem to be effective, and they assure me they'll take care of it this time. That's part of my frustration; these people seem to be above the law.

Oh ok, btw that wasn't like really directed at you in particular (I don't know if it seemed that way or anything) I've just always wondered what you call if there is a non emergency situation involving the police

 

[Typhon]

That's part of my frustration; these people seem to be above the law.

You must live in a damn good neighbourhood for you to get so wound up by a party that happens once every 6 months

I still think you're getting your nickers in a twist and over reacting big time.

Have you ever wondered if you have anger management issues?
On this site for example; if people start to disagree with you you go all Vito Corleone on them and start talking about how you crush those who stand in your way blah, blah, blah... Have you ever thought that maybe you're an angry control freak who needs to chill out a bit?

 

[Big_Idiot]

You must live in a damn good neighbourhood for you to get so wound up by a party that happens once every 6 months

I still think you're getting your nickers in a twist and over reacting big time.

Have you ever wondered if you have anger management issues?
On this site for example; if people start to disagree with you you go all Vito Corleone on them and start talking about how you crush those who stand in your way blah, blah, blah... Have you ever thought that maybe you're an angry control freak who needs to chill out a bit?

LMAO, the mighty Typhon has spoken.

 

[Typhon]

Ha, I'm not trying to be mean, it's just that BSL does seem to be a guy who gets very angry, very quickly and could do with a look in the mirror and seeing if this is one of those times when he over reacts about stuff.

I'm just thinking here that this bi-annual party may well be really loud and annoying but most reasonable people would think 'what the heck, it's not like it's every weekend' and get on with their day and forget about it

 

[Big_Idiot]

Yea iv agreed anyway, i think its an over reaction. I dont even see why this thread is still going really. But its nothing to do with me

 

[Kraken]

Yeah BSL you're like the grumpy old man. Just go over there and hit their hooka a few times. LOL

 

[NoLoveLost]

Secondly, despite all I write, none of you have the intimate details about this whole situation.

we don't have to, the fact is it is only once or twice a year, and you are WAY too worked up about something that happens so infrequently.

Again; the police are utterly ineffective and attempts to talk to these people are equally dysfunctional.

You say this because they aren't doing what YOU want them to do. That doesn't me they are ineffective, just that you aren't getting your way.

Aside from spending a LOT of time with court orders, neighborhood petitions and other stuff...there really is no practical solution.

If you aren't willing to TRY these means to deal with the situation, then you haven't tried everything like you claimed. You are mearly picking and choosing and doing a whole lot of whining.....

I don't think any of you are grasping the concept of this device and how it works. Only after midnight AND when the sound is obnoxiously loud will these people get some audible counter-measures...if they turn the music down to a reasonable level they'll be fine and everyone's happy.

We grasp, we just don't agree....

MORE IMPORTANT...I was more so interested in feedback to see if a device/invention like this would be something worth selling on Ebay.

I'd say no, Like I said before, it is probably illegal, but oh, you didn't want to hear that.....

I'm trying to come up with a clever & innovative approach to a problem that seems to have no readily available solution.....and I was soliciting for opinions on the concept.

Well then you are failing. You refuse to listen to what the people here have told you, you insist on over reacting to some neighbors loud party that only happens maybe twice a year. Ear plugs are much more reasonable....

Me and my whole family AND the neighborhood wearing ear-plugs?

No one is asking you to take on the responsibility for the whole neighborhood, stop trying to act like you are some sort of Martyr...please...

This being illegal or harrassment??....um, that's what they're doing.

No it's not, and if it was, does that mean you will stoop to their level in this tit for tat crap? You're acting childish, and personally I find it sad you would spend so much time on something so insignificant.

I'm not responding to anymore of this, it isn't worth my time or my patience not to mention I'm sick with bronchitis and really don't care what you decide to do about this since you insist on ignoring everything others have said....

cheers.

 

[Big_Idiot]

Gotfit put it all in one

Now theres nothing else to say.

 

[[Focus]]

Microwave cannon. Works every time, 7/10ths of the time.

 

[Dallen]

BSL, no problem. I still don't understand what the big deal is though. It only occurs twice a year and I don't think it's that big of a problem. I also still doubt it will cause any sort of "lesson" other that you spending a lot of money and time for no reason. Have you built this product yet? Or are you still in the process of getting the pieces?

If anyone cheers you on, it's only because it's idiotic and funny to watch (not trying to be mean here). Sort of like how people cheer on people at eating contests or watching that show Jackass. Only reason why people cheer these people on is only because it's completely idiotic and funny to watch people make a fool of themselves. Same thing here. Sure you will get lots of cheers and praises of your so-called "clever" device, but at the end of the day was it really worth it to make a complete fool of yourself and gain enemies?

I think Typhon might be on to something here. Perhaps you should seek anger management. Sound doesn't really bother me all that much. By the looks of it, there are still lots of other resolution to this issue that can be tried. Of course the police can't do much unless you have absolute proof of the matter. Other than that, it's pretty much "he said, she said" sort of deal and the police can't really do much. I mean if you want them to stop, get a video camera. If you really want them to stop, after the police leaves, turn the video camera on, walk over there, and while recording them, ask why they turn the music back on after the cops left. If you got them saying something, then call the police again, and show the video. Simple as that and easy to solve.

Also, the title of this thread is "What do you think?" And what I think is that it is the most insanely idiotic thing I have ever heard. There I said it, and that is what I think about this plan. I don't know if that sounds nice or mean, but that's how I feel about this idea of yours.

 

[[Focus]]

Also, the title of this thread is "What do you think?" And what I think is that it is the most insanely idiotic thing I have ever heard.

You need to get out more bro. It's a rare day I don't hear of or participate in something crazier and stupider than this.

 

[Dallen]

lol I'm at work. Might as well talk on the forum? Eh?

 

[calcium]

Am I the only one that thinks that bikeswim dude has many emotional issues but at the same time thinks this is a good idea?

 

[Phate89]

Yes, your the only one that thinks its a good idea.

 

[Big_Idiot]

LOL, sorry calcium but your probably near enough on your own

 

[BikeSwimLaugh]

we don't have to, the fact is it is only once or twice a year, and you are WAY too worked up about something that happens so infrequently.

No, (or "please")....I'm not "WAY too worked up". I just thought of an idea and wanted to run it by you folks for feedback. I see a lot of jumping to conclusions and quick judgments. My passion comes from feeling it's a good/clever/innovative idea and arguing to support it. Did you see even one of these --> in any of my post?

You say this because they aren't doing what YOU want them to do. That doesn't me they are ineffective, just that you aren't getting your way..

"My way"? They're violating sound-ordinance laws; it's illegal & wrong...lots of neighbors are upset about it. We want them to comply with the law, this isn't some personal desire like wishing they'd paint their home a nicer color or mow their lawn shorter.

Well then you are failing. You refuse to listen to what the people here have told you, you insist on over reacting to some neighbors loud party that only happens maybe twice a year. Ear plugs are much more reasonable.

No, I read & respond....I'm not refusing to listen, I just don't agree with what YOU say/feel/write and argue back. Funny how that makes me "failing" and you right. Not everyone thinks it's a bad idea.

No one is asking you to take on the responsibility for the whole neighborhood, stop trying to act like you are some sort of Martyr...please.

Your projecting. I see this as a challenge and have an idea that I think could work. Since talking to these people and the Police have been ineffective, I don't see what's wrong with taking an innovative approach. I'm not the neighborhood martyr, I'm just a guy who doesn't want to take-it anymore and am doing something about it. I've only stated that the neighborhood is equally fed-up with it too and a few would likely thank me for it.

No it's not

(To my charge that what they are doing is illegal)

Sound-ordinance...it's the law...it IS illegal actually.

I'm not responding to anymore of this, it isn't worth my time or my patience not to mention I'm sick with bronchitis and really don't care what you decide to do about this since you insist on ignoring everything others have said....

Sorry to hear about the bronchitis. Please examine the bigger picture: this really isn't about the neighbor-problem as much as you think it is, this is more about an idea and the concept. Whether it's abortion, politics or anything a person is passionate about....it's something to discuss.

Try likening this to a gopher problem...where I'm trying to devise a trap or deterant to stop the gophers from destroying my garden. Some would argue it's nature and let it take it course, or that I have enough plants and I could spare a few, or that I should just tolerate them. Others would suggest planting plants that are non-edible to gophers or just give-up the whole garden and go with water-saving fake-plastic plants. Course, Kraken & Big Tom would likely suggest the patented Bill Murray approach using explosives and weapons.

Diane...we're just discussing an idea here. I also happen to think convicted child-molesters should have their genitalia surgically removed and drunk-drivers should lose their license on the 1st offense. I'm equally certain I could make my points on these issues and some people here will tell me I'm failing, immature, over-reacting and being childish & ignorant.

You must live in a damn good neighbourhood for you to get so wound up by a party that happens once every 6 months

I still think you're getting your nickers in a twist and over reacting big time.

Have you ever wondered if you have anger management issues?
On this site for example; if people start to disagree with you you go all Vito Corleone on them and start talking about how you crush those who stand in your way blah, blah, blah... Have you ever thought that maybe you're an angry control freak who needs to chill out a bit?

I do live in a pretty nice neighborhood, everyone (even party-throwers) are pretty considerate of others. I just like to design, build and create things. I see a problem and just kinda came up with what I thought was a clever/fun idea that could (as a last resort) work.

I used to design & build a LOT of radio-controlled airplanes...all sorts of stuff; flying wings, bi-planes, strange airfoils...I just get ideas and like to see them happen. My house is covered with all sorts of things, from security to energy-saving devices....it's just what I do.

Ha, I'm not trying to be mean, it's just that BSL does seem to be a guy who gets very angry, very quickly and could do with a look in the mirror and seeing if this is one of those times when he over reacts about stuff.

I'm just thinking here that this bi-annual party may well be really loud and annoying but most reasonable people would think 'what the heck, it's not like it's every weekend' and get on with their day and forget about it

I found your post a bit insulting and arrogant, so while you contend your not trying to be mean, you are....you're talking down to me, psycho-analyzing me and belittling me on a public forum where I've spent a good deal of time honestly trying to help people & offer advice, I've even been called the new Chillen....so yeah, it bugs me and I'm tempted to fire-back with similar ridicule, but it seems the flow is working against me so I'll take your abuse and blow it off. How's that for anger management?

When people disagree with me I tend to argue my point....but I'm open to what they say and I have a record of conceding when I'm wrong and even apologizing at times. I don't mind when people disagree....honestly, more then I like to admit, I LOVE to discuss, argue and take a stand on issues. Like a good chess game, I rather enjoy it. And again, it's not to out-smart someone....I'm truly open to realizing other perspectives and finding a higher ground of understanding.

What I don't like, and admit I have a near allergic reaction to, is when people disagree AND slam me with insults. When they condemn me as immature, ignorant, childish and basically insult me...it evokes anger. When they come across as righteous, arrogant and so much smarter then others....I find it annoying. In other words, I respond in an aggressive manner when provoked. My weakness; I take things too personally...but at least I'm aware of it and I try to work with it. I'd like to think I'm amicable and light-hearted with humor until someone disrespects me or slams me.

Ya know...none of us come here to make a living or do anything more then chat. We ask questions, answer questions, help people and in general just try to have a good time. If you see a thread you don't want to respond to...then don't. If you disagree, then state your position...but as Wrangell once wrote/explained: attack the concept and body of what's written, NOT the person writing it. Fine...tell me it's a bad idea, but don't tell me I'm a failure and ignorant for having thought of it and arguing for it's use. Read what Dallen wrote or Diane's sarcasm....not really all that nice and these are my friends who I've only been respectful to.

So often I find people are quick to disagree with me or an idea that I have....but once I fully explain it or they see it in action, they change their mind and applaud or agree with me. That doesn't mean I'm always right, it just inspires me to believe that people either don't understand what I'm explaining or they aren't aware of all the details.

On this subject....if it were just me and my wife, I'd just live with the bi-annual noise and put-up with it. BUT when my children come to our bedroom saying they can't sleep and it ruins my whole famalies night, THAT is when, as a parent, it crosses the line and prompts me to think what can I do. It's a parent thing; you don't mess with my family. When the Police are repeatedly ineffective and talking to the neighbors won't work...then I get inspired (while I sit there at 2am unable to sleep) to explore other alternatives. I fully concede that "tit for tat" is a weak resort to turn to...but that's where things are headed and I rather see this as a bit of a challenge to see if it'll work. If a neighbor screaming at the top of his lungs worked, then this too should do the job. My contention is that their loud music is merely setting-off my window-sensor alarm, I can back-down with that excuse and it's a crazy long-shot I'll get in trouble.

Btw...earplugs don't do much for bass.

But just for you guys, each day I take my kids to camp I'll swing by that house and stay on it until I can talk to the homeowners myself. My hunch is that the parents were out of town or something like that. I'll try working it out verbally with them.

I'm sorry I ever posted this thread...I thought it was a clever last-resort idea and rather innovative...something we could discuss for fun. Given the length/life of this thread, seems it served some entertainment. More then anything, I was curious if there was a market for it.

I think we're done. I'll post if I can contact the homeowners and work something out.