I was surprised to recently learn that people consistently rate noise ahead of crime, traffic and other social ills as the main  reason they want to move from their current home or neighborhood.

Some of you might be surprised to learn that noise derives from the Latin nausea! Noise elevates our blood pressure and prevents us from getting the precious sleep we need to function the next day at work. Uncooperative noisy neighbors can, of course, create unbearable tension and hostility. A close friend, Steve, had the misfortune of living next door to a police officer who partied hearty.

The officer would not even answer the door when Steve attempted to civilly inform him that that his boisterous gatherings were interfering with Steve’s family sleep cycle. So in the irony of all ironies, Steve called the cops on the cop. For about a week his police officer neighbor quieted down and Steve thought the problem was solved, but a loud, clamorous Saturday night party at the officer’s residence left Steve no choice but to alert the police department that his police officer neighbor still had not learned his lesson.

Last I heard he had some soundproofing products installed and learned that his homeowners association might be able to assist in shutting up the inconsiderate loud mouthed cop!