How late do you wait to call the cops?

[Anonymous]

Not far from our house is a small rebuilt McMansion with the requisite 3 foot backyard. We don't know the family since the kids go to private school and don't socialize much. They have been there a few years and we rarely even see them...but tonight there is a rocking party. I'm thinking it might be the (high-school aged) kids since all I can hear is war whoops and shrieks, and when I wandered by it seemed to be all young people. I'm trying to be considerate since I don't know for sure it's a kiddie bash and even people who buy houses with no backyards deserve to enjoy a beautiful spring night, but at what time do I have a legitimate complaint? I'm hoping 10pm is a reasonable expectation for quiet in the close-in suburbs, but I don't want to be the shrew on the block. Still I need my kids to sleep and right now they cannot - they keep asking who is screaming?

[Anonymous]

If you think the kids are underage, I'd probably call the cops at 10. It wouldn't hurt for high school kids to learn their lesson early that they should be considerate to the neighbors. Or you could ask your husband to walk over there and ask them to turn the music down or he'll call the cops? That might be a nice first gesture.

(I called the cops several times on my neighbors in my previous townhouse community. I knew from talking to other neighbors that I wasn't the only one bothered. It was impossible to sleep or do anything, they were so loud.)

[Anonymous]

I think you can call anytime after 10. Certainly by 11.

[Anonymous]

Wait, what? This is their first party, ever, they've never bothered you before, and you're going to call the cops why? Because you think it's underage? If that's the case, knock on the door and make sure first. If it IS underage, make up your own mind and there's no time requirement. If this is just a person having a party, and they've NEVER done it before, and you call the cops, you are an asshole. Independent of whether or not they have a "3 foot backyard" or a mcmansion.

[Anonymous]

Unless there's a no Saturday night party rule in you neighborhood. But agree if you have reason to suspect that they're all teens and that they're drinking alcohol, then you could call cops at anytime. I'd appreciate it if my teen were there.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't call the cops. I would knock on their door, let them know you are on to them (and they can assume their parents will find out) and I would bet they will dispurse the party. No need to jeopardize kids' futures with police citations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, what? This is their first party, ever, they've never bothered you before, and you're going to call the cops why? Because you think it's underage? If that's the case, knock on the door and make sure first. If it IS underage, make up your own mind and there's no time requirement. If this is just a person having a party, and they've NEVER done it before, and you call the cops, you are an asshole. Independent of whether or not they have a "3 foot backyard" or a mcmansion.

This.

[Anonymous]

What is the law (if any) where you live? Regardless if you are positive it's underage, I would call.

IMO a wake up call by the cops is what some kids need. Kids who are constantly covered for and excused don't learn from their own mistakes.

[Anonymous]

So OP, you posted at 9:30.

Are you seriously thinking about calling the cops at 9:30 on a Saturday??? I know you said you were thinking about calling at 10:00, but you are already worked up so early?

On neighbors you haven't seen or heard a peep out of in several years? Without stopping by first to speak with them? 9:30????

I can see posting this question if it were approaching 11:00 PM on neighbors who are regularly a pain in the ass, but 9:30? On what sounds like good neighbors? You wouldn't talk to them first?

I think you would definitely come off as the shrew neighbor if you did this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So OP, you posted at 9:30.

Are you seriously thinking about calling the cops at 9:30 on a Saturday??? I know you said you were thinking about calling at 10:00, but you are already worked up so early?

On neighbors you haven't seen or heard a peep out of in several years? Without stopping by first to speak with them? 9:30????

I can see posting this question if it were approaching 11:00 PM on neighbors who are regularly a pain in the ass, but 9:30? On what sounds like good neighbors? You wouldn't talk to them first?

I think you would definitely come off as the shrew neighbor if you did this.

wow, you like question marks.

OP, it's past 10 now, but I would go over and talk to them first, and 10 would have been the time I'd suggest doing that. I wouldn't involve the police until midnight or later, really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the law (if any) where you live? Regardless if you are positive it's underage, I would call.

IMO a wake up call by the cops is what some kids need. Kids who are constantly covered for and excused don't learn from their own mistakes.

What? Regardless of age, you'd call the cops because kids need a wakeup call? You make no sense. Teens can gather and holler, no police required.

[Anonymous]

12:15a.m.. gives them 15 minutes to clear out by midnight. if it's not a regular occurrence, give these people a break. and you don't a) know them or b) that's it's underage.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm... I just came in from a great spring night outside with friends and neighbors... I'm sure we were somewhat noisy. Glad no one is calling the police. Granted, all were invited/included and all those drinking were clearly of age, but lots of kids running, screaming and having a great time. (Most in by 9:00, but some still enjoying the evening...)

If the issue is noise only and its the first time, please be tolerant. If you are worried about underage drinking, that is a different question.

[Anonymous]

Buzz kill

[Anonymous]

What does te small backyard has to do with anything? Why was it even mentioned? I don't follow the connection....