What Can Lubbock Police Actually Do About a Loud Neighbor?

Few things will turn a perfectly reasonable person into a sleep-deprived lunatic faster than a loud neighbor who treats their home like a nightclub.

Maybe the dude next door with the bass blasting is the reason your silverware seems to vibrate. Maybe they have 16 dogs that never shut up. Or, maybe they just bought an expensive karaoke machine with all the bells and whistles and are doing their best to get their money's worth...

What Do You Do About A Loud Neighbor in Lubbock?

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First, you should try talking it out with them.

I know. Horrifying, right? Actually talking to people you don't know...

But before you call the cops, chat with your neighbor about the noise. They may have no idea how much it's carrying, or that it's rattling your photos off the walls.

Of course, they may know exactly how loud they are being and not care...in that case, congratulations. You now have a nemesis.

When Should I Call The Cops?

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Lubbock's Code of Ordinances has noise regulations that cover unreasonable or excessive noise. If that noise is seriously disrupting your whole neighborhood, go ahead and call the cops, if you like.

That does NOT mean they are going to come and kick the door down and take care of business, as you might see on an episode of COPS. They may just respond, assess the situation, and ask the neighbor to turn it down a little.

Also, there are restrictions on a few things like outdoor power equipment and certain mechanical devices between 10 pm and 6 am in residential areas. If you're hearing mechanical noises in the wee hours of the morning, it's probably worth reporting to the police.

Read More: What Lubbock, Texas Looked Like In The 1990s

What If It Just Keeps Happening?

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Write. It. Down.

Document every time it happens. Take a video if you can.

If you are repeatedly making complaints, keeping records of them to prove it wasn't just one crazy Saturday night might help your case.

If you are dealing with noise that is in some way threatening or dangerous, that's a little bit different from a loud party. Make sure you use the appropriate emergency or non-emergency police line, depending on what's going down.

Please, Don't Start A Neighborhood War

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You don't need to respond to the noise by purchasing the largest, loudest speakers on the planet and blasting death metal at 6 am.

I know, it's tempting, but you're better than that.

Work to solve the problem. Don't create a sequel...

Nobody wants to spend Sunday morning explaining to the cops why Bodies by Drowning Pool was blasting through the hood at sunrise.

Let the cops sort it out. Violating the city's noise ordinance can ultimately lead to a misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine up to 500 bucks...ouch.