Noisy Kids Send Parents to Court in Bayville, NY

In Bayville, New York, a suburban couple faced noise code violations when their neighbors complained that their two children made excessive noise while playing in the family pool. The children, two girls aged 5 and 11, frequently spend their summer days playing and splashing in the pool, but never past 9 pm, according to the parents.

The not so neighborly neighbors made a 30 minute recording of the girls playing. I heard the tape. Yes, they are screeching and yelling, and actually sound quite similar to my children and their friends playing in our pool. The judge obviously felt the same, as he dismissed the case once it got in front of him.

Now there are several issues going on here, that I would like to address. the first being the fact, that if you live in a neighborhood with children and pools, even without pools, you are going to hear them. Sometimes, quite loudly. They are CHILDREN. They are enjoying the summertime.

Shouldn't we as a society, be happy they are outside in the fresh air and sun getting exercise, rather than sitting in front of the television or computer screen? Shouldn't we be COMMENDING the parents for encouraging physical activity when the childhood obesity rate is at an all time high in our nation?

Personally, I love hearing kids outside playing. IT means they aren't in my house making a mess that i have to clean up. It means they are enjoying being kids, playing games and making up activities. It means they are learning that being outside in the fresh air is a GOOD thing. They are learning exercise can be fun and rewarding and hopefully, keep it up throughout their adult lives.

Secondly, the homes in this neighborhood are on approximately a third of an acre each. This means, they are practically sitting on top of each other. Yet another reason I refuse to live in such communities, I don't want to hear my neighbors when they have an argument. I want to be able to throw a ball, and know no matter how hard I throw it, it will still be on my property.

The size of these lots virtually guarantees that you will be hearing every laugh, giggle, shriek and conversation that occurs in your neighbors yard. This is why you will never see me buy a house where i can look out my kitchen window and know if my neighbor is in their bathroom!

In the neighbors defense ( which is at best weak), thy feel they can not enjoy their yards and homes because of this horrible noise pollution. Perhaps they should have considered this fact before they bought a home, on such a small lot. It would certainly be a considering factor for me.

As far as the family goes. The girls will be in the pool today, and tomorrow and the next day. The family is,. however, considering moving to another location.