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**petegz28** · 01-09-2009, 03:32 PM

Ok, as some of you have heard me complain before, the neighbors who live behind me\across the street installed a 10ft lamppost in their front yard. It is excessively bright. I by that I mean it outshines the streetlights easily. The ligh illuminates the entire backside of my house meaning it shines right through my dining room window and bedroom window. I cannot sit on my deck when it is on as it is like having a light shined righ tin your face.

So, what I have done so far....I tolerated it and paid $500 to put in a tree to help block it. That does a meh job. So I thought oh well until....CHRISTMAS TIME! What is so special about CHRISTMAS TIME and the Lamp? I will tell you....

The people put exterior x-mas lights on their home and guess what...they had to turn off their light so they could be seen. Day after x-mas the light was back on in all of its blinding beauty.

So I finally looked up the code and found an "Unlawul Illumination" code that states basically your light cannot shine across your property line to the point it is a nuisance. So I filed a complaint with the city.

The city in turn said this is an exception to municiple code and they forwarded it to the Police. The Police contacted me and said they are waiting for the blessing from the city prosector to allow a citation. This is where it gets good...

If they do get the blessing, I of course have to sign a complaint and possibly appear in court to have the light dimmed or removed.

I am half willing to accept reimbursement for the $500 for the tree I put in, though that does me no good in the winter. The wife says I should let it go. My best friemd says "**** em' they should of thought about that when they put in the light".

So would you follow it all the way to court? Or am I being a bigger dick than usual?

Updated: Talked to him, asked him to either wait until 10:00 to turn it on or get a dimmer bulb.....light was off last night so he is being cool though I could tell by his town he wasn't happy about the purpose of my visit

**DeezNutz** · 01-09-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

The point is, the SUNLIGHT doesn't seem to bother them, okay, big kahuna?

Bother Pete? Are you trying to suggest that sitting out on one's deck in the sunlight is the same as enduring high-powered artificial light from a neighbor?

Mark M · 01-09-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

No and for a few reasons:

1. I do not know them
2. Anyone who would keep a light on so bright isn't going to care
3. Anyon who realizes the light is so bright they have to turn it off so their x-mas lights will eb visible, tne they turn it back on, isn't going to care
4. Since I do not know them you never know what sort of confrontation may occur.

Um ... not be a jerk, but if you don't know them, how the hell do you know if they'll care or not?

And unless you go over there and immediately start being a complete jackass, not sure why you'd be worried about any confrontation. Again, you admit you don't know them, so how could you have any clue at all of how they'd react?

IMHO, you should have talked to them before any of this started. Oh, and the pellet gun is an idiotic idea since they'll probably figure out who's doing it, and then you'll be the defendant in court.

At this point, your only option (other than getting over it -- and I completely understand why you won't) is to follow through on the complaint.

MM
~~

**Buck** · 01-09-2009, 03:50 PM

Do they have grass in their backyard?

I'm thinking something like this.

BigCatDaddy · 01-09-2009, 03:50 PM

Go buy a couple of lawn chairs and hang out in front of the garage.

Johnny Vegas · 01-09-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

So I should not sit out on my deck either?

just go and talk to them about it. You're blowing this out of proportion. Don't be a dick about it. Just say you're not the one that complains a whole lot, but could you dim the light so I can get some privacy out of your back yard. Perhaps we can work something out where I can help you move it so its not visible from outer space. I'm sorry, but quit hiding behind the computer and go and do something about it yourself without clogging the courts with this. I hate to be frank about it.

BigChiefFan · 01-09-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Bother Pete? Are you trying to suggest that sitting out on one's deck in the sunlight is the same as enduring high-powered artificial light from a neighbor?

I'm just trying to have fun in a thread that could easily be solved with some common sense approach, but Pete wants to take it to court, when I'm sure a simple conversation couldn't have prevented all this headache and potential embarassment, but whatever.

jspchief · 01-09-2009, 03:52 PM

Are you the only neighbor that it bothers? If not, maybe you could try sending an anonymous letter explaining the situation. Mention that you felt it was best to ask politely before pursuing code enforcement.

Basically ask them as nicely as possible, while letting them know that there are further measures that can be taken if they decide to not a give a shit about the feelings of their neighbors.

kcxiv · 01-09-2009, 03:53 PM

First talk to them and explain. This is a must to do first. If this didit work. I honestly would pay some kids to break that shit one night. Hell, i used to do this kind of stuff when i was a kid. lol

**DeezNutz** · 01-09-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

I'm just trying to have fun in a thread that could easily be solved with some common sense approach, but Pete wants to take it to court, when I'm sure a simple conversation couldn't have prevented all this headache and potential embarassment, but whatever.

Then I missed the sarcasm. My bad.

I agree that talking to these people should be step #1.

Sure-Oz · 01-09-2009, 03:54 PM

Post pics of said light

**petegz28** · 01-09-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

I'm just trying to have fun in a thread that could easily be solved with some common sense approach, but Pete wants to take it to court, when I'm sure a simple conversation couldn't have prevented all this headache and potential embarassment, but whatever.

Inver said I wanted to take it to court. I even spent $500 to put a tree to try and block it. What pissed me off is when they shut it off so their x-mas lights could be seen then cranked it back up. Obviously they are not clueless as to how bright it is.

patteeu · 01-09-2009, 03:55 PM

Why not try to politely ask them to replace the bulb with a dimmer version first before you go trying to get them in trouble with the city?

sedated · 01-09-2009, 03:55 PM

Anyone who goes straight for legal action before simply expressing their level of annoyance is a pretty big douche in my book. And kind of a coward.

**DeezNutz** · 01-09-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Post pics of said light

This needs to happen.

**TrebMaxx** · 01-09-2009, 03:56 PM

I would have gone and asked them politely if something could be worked out. Even now I would suggest to do the same before any charges are brought and if they react like jackass go through with the courts. If they respond favorably, maybe they just didn't realize how the light intruded on you, then call the city prosecutor's office and request to drop the compliant.

01-09-2009, 03:32 PM
petegz28 Supporter petegz28's Avatar Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Olathe, Ks	What would you do if your neighbor.... Ok, as some of you have heard me complain before, the neighbors who live behind me\across the street installed a 10ft lamppost in their front yard. It is excessively bright. I by that I mean it outshines the streetlights easily. The ligh illuminates the entire backside of my house meaning it shines right through my dining room window and bedroom window. I cannot sit on my deck when it is on as it is like having a light shined righ tin your face. So, what I have done so far....I tolerated it and paid $500 to put in a tree to help block it. That does a meh job. So I thought oh well until....CHRISTMAS TIME! What is so special about CHRISTMAS TIME and the Lamp? I will tell you.... The people put exterior x-mas lights on their home and guess what...they had to turn off their light so they could be seen. Day after x-mas the light was back on in all of its blinding beauty. So I finally looked up the code and found an "Unlawul Illumination" code that states basically your light cannot shine across your property line to the point it is a nuisance. So I filed a complaint with the city. The city in turn said this is an exception to municiple code and they forwarded it to the Police. The Police contacted me and said they are waiting for the blessing from the city prosector to allow a citation. This is where it gets good... If they do get the blessing, I of course have to sign a complaint and possibly appear in court to have the light dimmed or removed. I am half willing to accept reimbursement for the $500 for the tree I put in, though that does me no good in the winter. The wife says I should let it go. My best friemd says "**** em' they should of thought about that when they put in the light". So would you follow it all the way to court? Or am I being a bigger dick than usual? Updated: Talked to him, asked him to either wait until 10:00 to turn it on or get a dimmer bulb.....light was off last night so he is being cool though I could tell by his town he wasn't happy about the purpose of my visit Last edited by petegz28; 01-10-2009 at 10:53 PM..
Posts: 128,000

01-09-2009, 03:50 PM	#34
BigCatDaddy The Beast Inside Your Head BigCatDaddy's Avatar Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Parts Unknown	Go buy a couple of lawn chairs and hang out in front of the garage.
Posts: 25,860

01-09-2009, 03:52 PM	#37
jspchief BAMF jspchief's Avatar Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face	Are you the only neighbor that it bothers? If not, maybe you could try sending an anonymous letter explaining the situation. Mention that you felt it was best to ask politely before pursuing code enforcement. Basically ask them as nicely as possible, while letting them know that there are further measures that can be taken if they decide to not a give a shit about the feelings of their neighbors.
Posts: 27,207

01-09-2009, 03:53 PM	#38
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali	First talk to them and explain. This is a must to do first. If this didit work. I honestly would pay some kids to break that shit one night. Hell, i used to do this kind of stuff when i was a kid. lol
Posts: 29,110

01-09-2009, 03:54 PM	#40
Sure-Oz Stay positive, don't give up Sure-Oz's Avatar Join Date: Dec 2001	Post pics of said light
Posts: 46,182

01-09-2009, 03:55 PM	#42
patteeu The 23rd Pillar patteeu's Avatar Join Date: Sep 2002	Why not try to politely ask them to replace the bulb with a dimmer version first before you go trying to get them in trouble with the city?
Posts: 110,871

01-09-2009, 03:55 PM	#43
sedated Like I woke up in Wonderland.. sedated's Avatar Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: KCMO	Anyone who goes straight for legal action before simply expressing their level of annoyance is a pretty big douche in my book. And kind of a coward.
Posts: 18,624

01-09-2009, 03:56 PM	#45
TrebMaxx Supporter TrebMaxx's Avatar Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Peoples Republic of CoMo	I would have gone and asked them politely if something could be worked out. Even now I would suggest to do the same before any charges are brought and if they react like jackass go through with the courts. If they respond favorably, maybe they just didn't realize how the light intruded on you, then call the city prosecutor's office and request to drop the compliant.
Posts: 4,321