Noise Complaint

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http://connecticut.cbslocal.com/2012/11/21/woman-calls-cops-on-salvation-army-workers-for-ringing-bells/

A woman called the police to complain that the Salvation Army was ringing their bells and disturbing her peace.  When on patrol not every call ends in a gun battle or a car chase.  Most are pretty routine and many verge on the stupid.  As peace officers responding to this type of call is certainly something we want to address.  While on the face of it, this call is a silly waste of an officers time.

What happens if we don't resolve the problem and the complainant decides to take matters into their own hands and assaults the Salvation Army worker or worse still, gets a gun and shoots them?  Unfortunately these are considerations in today's society.  The main issue here is to resolve the problem if possible and avoid having to go out to this problem again and again.  I certainly would not want to make an arrest, or issue a citation based on a single complaint of noise on an otherwise lawful activity.  I would suggest several things that might help.  The first thing is to meet with the reporting party and find out their side of the problem and particular hours or days when it is the worst.  Then meet with the Salvation Army worker separately and ask if there is some way to mitigate the noise. 

Perhaps they can move a few feet down the street.  Sometimes even a few feet of movement may make a big difference on how sound is perceived.  If you are unable to resolve the problem, perhaps you can refer the complaining party to the Salvation Army workers supervisor or management for further follow up.  Sometimes if everyone seems otherwise reasonable you can have both parties discuss options that might resolve the problem.  Often charities have to get a permit to solicit money, the reporting party may be able to consult with the agency that issues the permit and seek relief that way.  The key here is even if you can't resolve the problem, at least give the complaining party the feeling that they have other, non-violent and lawful options and that you did something to assist them; that's what the SGT Says.