Guy using Metal Saw at Night on My Street
Here’s my problem— For the last four or five nights on my block there’s been a guy using a metal saw on the sidewalk until 9pm (though last night he went until 10:30 or so). it’s starting to drive me crazy….. It seems he’s putting some sort of metal trimming on a new entrance that…
Here’s my problem—
For the last four or five nights on my block there’s been a guy using a metal saw on the sidewalk until 9pm (though last night he went until 10:30 or so). it’s starting to drive me crazy…..
It seems he’s putting some sort of metal trimming on a new entrance that has built onto the front of the building.
I called 311 the last few nights, but doesn’t seem anything has been done. Is it worth calling the DOB and filing a complaint (the addition he’s working on doesn’t seem to have an permits posted). Or is 311 my best/only course…
It’s the landlord who is the problem because he’s hired these guys — undoubtedly paying them under the table — and he’s the one who needs the citation. Doing renovation work outside of normal business hours is illegal unless there are extenuating circumstances, which does not seem to be the case here. Can you find out who owns the building — through Property Shark or the NYC govt — and supply that name to the folks at 311? Also, contact your local city council person — tell them you’ve had no luck with 311 or talking to the guys. And the community board as well.
Where you were born and raised is completely beside the point. You have a right to peace and quiet in the evening, and to not feel threatened or intimidated when you attempt to exercise that right.
and just to be clear, this is a multi unit apartment building, not an individual’s home (though the entrance they’re building looks like it would belong on one). and despite going over and trying to talk it out, they’re still sawing as I type….
went over there tonight–the guys doing the sawing are clearly just working on the bldg (multi-unit), not owners. I asked them if they were going to be working so late tonite, they mumbled a few things, that was about it. they seemed to know they were pushing the envelope…
so thanks for all input, but having said that, you all need to stop this “like someone born and raised in brooklyn would” nonsense.
i’m born in raised in philly, haved lived in brooklyn for 20 years and I got news for you guys: you’re not the only people who grown up in a city and know how to handle situations. in fact, I’m wondering how many of you “brooklyn born and bred” types could have hacked it in philly in the 70s….
I agree with op, someone using making noise at night is the one attacking first.
In his head he probably figures to keep going till someone complains. That is not exactly neighborly friendly behavior.
I would love to renovate all night too, but I like being respectful to my neighbors and the law.
A little anecdote from a week ago. Guy blasting his macho stereo from his open door, parked mega-SUV at 10PM in front of the bowling alley near my house. During the week. Wearing heavy gold chains.
Me, thinking, do I call the cops or confront him and risk I knife in the gut. Finally, I suck it up, walk over to him, ask him politely to turn it down.
He, apologizes profusely, turns it down and closes door.
Me, ashamed for assuming the worst…
So like Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy advised, see if you can relate and speak to him like a fellow human, like somebody born and raised in Brooklyn would. He is probably stressed and just trying to minimize the disruption. Just tell him that your child is having some problems sleeping with the noise and ask him how much longer he thinks he’ll be.
You might be surprised how much better you feel about that approach.
OP, I hear you about the infant. But there are ways to communicate without dragging your infant out of the house. For instance, you could tack a note to this guy’s door next time you leave the house. Let him know you have a baby that’s trying to sleep.
I understand your feelings, but perhaps you are forgetting that we all do things in a manner that does not include the thoughts of others. (think about a mother on a train who lets the baby cry without care of everyone else)
Maybe he’s in a rush, maybe he rented the saw… maybe he will ask when is a good time, maybe he’ll be done tomorrow. etc.
Don’t assume someone is an asshole, perhaps ignorant or oblivious but not always an asshole.
We have a neighbor, who we don’t particularly like, but I asked that they clean up the back yard and lo-and-behold, they did. AND they asked for advice on what to do after to keep the weeds down.
The front yard is going to take a couple more times, but being friendly will get you much farther and it will also mean that they can’t plead ignorance later.
Good luck.
could do without the tough guy routine, but I get your point
and normally I would go out and talk, but I’m alone with an infant this week and I’m not trying to wake her up and take her out there at 10pm to talk to some dude I don’t know and who’s obviously an asshole (b/c only an asshole would be sawing metal under my window at 10pm)
If i was your neighbor and you unleashed the DOB on me over some minor BS that could have been handled with a handshake, I would make your life a living hell.