| By :
Paul Wise
Noise complaints rank as the number one nuisance complaint in New York City, as measured by the number of 311 calls received about the matter. 311 is a city hotline that allows residents to lodge complaints about non-emergency matters related to quality of life concerns. Not surprisingly for a densely packed metropolis of many millions, those complaints typically involve the neighbors! But despite having what are commonly regarded as the nation's toughest anti-noise pollution laws, enforcement is haphazard and largely dependent on the individual agents charged with such tasks. Over a decade after its debut, New York City's 311 systems still ranks noise complaints as the top issue concerning the citizenry where quality-of-life matters are involved. This common underestimated problem occurs in various places of the world but mostly around the cozier and compressed regions where it is easy to set off the neighbors with noise. The concept of the real problem is when a tired worker arrives at their home preparing to rest only to encounter disturbing noises which summons an epic fail to their operation. But that isn't the only reason. Peace and quiet is a premium product in New York City, which is why many ignore noise pollution laws, associating them with luxury living instead of the civic rights and responsibilities that they are. Of course to some it may seem rather ridiculous but in most circumstances noise pollution destroys parts of mental focusing in humans, therefore causing hearing problems or mental issues overtime. It may not be known in the beginning but like building muscles or like cancer, it builds and develops overtime which, if unseen or ignored, can become quite fatal. So what is to be done? Sadly, there is no one universal answer. It all depends on the particular details of any given situation. In rent-stabilized apartments, for example, landlords are held responsible for ensuring that their buildings are not just habitable but also hospitable. New York State has a hospitality clause in its tenant's rights laws that though little used has indeed been used to good effect, gaining rent abatements where landlords were found negligent in keeping their property in a livable condition with respect to the level of controllable noise. Like every other problem, thanks to laziness, there are only hopes that either it stops or goes away but we should keep in mind that hoping alone won't do anything to loud problems and the law cannot regulate everywhere, which gives this problem the edge to become worse. Another option is the local police precinct, where community affairs officers are tasked with such matters as involve the quality of life. Such policemen and women are empowered to take drastic action if necessary, such as confiscate any offending audio equipment if repeated warnings are ignored. Of course, one must weigh such success against the resultant ill will that's sure to prevail unless complaints are made (and sustained) anonymously.
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