HELP! Noise Question
I live not too far from a business that opens at 6am every day. Around 5:50am they start up what has got to be the loudest leaf blower I’ve ever heard. A leaf blower?, you ask. Yes, a leaf blower! They do this every morning, including Saturdays and Sundays. At 5:50am!!! And no, they are…
I live not too far from a business that opens at 6am every day. Around 5:50am they start up what has got to be the loudest leaf blower I’ve ever heard. A leaf blower?, you ask. Yes, a leaf blower! They do this every morning, including Saturdays and Sundays. At 5:50am!!! And no, they are not blowing leaves. Instead of sweeping up the sidewalk in front of their establishment, they turn on a leaf blower and blow all the litter, etc. into the street so that it becomes the DOS’s problem. Not just to the curb. I’ve watched them actually blow it into the middle of the street and then walk away. I’ve considered calling 311 to make a complaint, but I want to be realistic and not waste my time. Do you think anything will honestly come of such a complaint (noise and blowing sidewalk litter into the middle of the street)? What’s the likelihood that they’d even bother to send someone out to investigate and witness this at that hour of the morning? I’m really sick of being startled awake by this noise EVERY SINGLE MORNING. Is my only recourse a good set of earplugs?
Vinca, you have, like, city code superpowers or something.
re: noise inspections: make sure you get a complaint number the first time you call. Note time, date and name of the person you speak with. You’ll have to call on at least three occasions to trigger a noise inspection. The DEP will come at that hour – when I last had to deal with them, the guy who came actually said that if the noise is before 7am you’re more likely to get a response.
However, they may not come quickly. My experience with DEP was that I called eight times, documented by neighbors calling at least eight times, and then had to file a complaint against DEP for non-response including that documentation. When I filed the complaint against DEP, they showed up quick.
You’d think DEP would be in a hurry to write tickets, but that was not my experience. Although my problem was with dogs, and it’s almost impossible to ticket a dog owner, so perhaps it was a low priority.
Oh, and I’ve been on the phone with 311 since it started. The noise was, as I’ve stated, loud.
Me: It’s loud.
311: Is *that* what I hear through your phone?
Me: Yup
311: Wow
SEE WHAT TIME I’M POSTING THIS??? DAMMIT! LOUSY EFFING BASTARDS!!!
I tried to get video of it to post, but alas the battery in my camera is dead 🙁 It’s charging right now and tomorrow morning when they no doubt do it again, I’m getting their asses on video. Stay tuned….
hey snappy, can’t help but wonder if it’s an electric blower or gas. If the latter, not sure you can store gasoline on the premises, an NYFD issue. Take a picture!
Mostly unrelated, except for the 311 aspect, but good article in today’s NYT on 311…
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/nyregion/16three11.html?hp
1) video camera
2) youtube link
3) 311
http://www.nyc.gov/apps/311/
You can file a complaint online at the address above. I have used this previously and they are very responsive and will call you and e-mail you about the disposition. Filing the complaint online avoids talking to the operators and waiting on hold.
I will have fun Antidope! Your mouth breathing has prepped me for 311 🙂
call 311 you will get a person. I have called for the leave blower as well.