LETTERS: NO RECOURSE WHEN NEIGHBORS ARE INCONSIDERATE

To the editor:

On the issue of noise and other nuisance violations: The issue is not just a problem in South Cape.

We are homeowners and taxpayers near the university. Recently a local Realtor rented a house to a large family that moved from the South Sprigg Street area. Now they live right next door to us, and we cannot go outside to enjoy our yard because of the noise. The parents don't work. The father sits and drinks and bellows at the top of his lungs. He cusses at his children to the point that I can't be outside with my son because I don't want him to hear that type of language. Their yard is trashy. Their dog barks all the time. We saw him beating his dog with a snow shovel this past winter and reported it to the police, and they said they couldn't do anything. They put their trash out on the curb three days before pickup, so much of their trash blows into our yard. We feel helpless to do anything to change this problem.

It is sad that neighbors have to be so inconsiderate of each other. It is also sad that a taxpaying, working homeowner has no recourse for something that is single-handedly bringing down the value of our property and destroying the sanctity of our home. The city council should make stricter guidelines for these violations, and the police should enforce them.

KATHY PARSONS

Cape Girardeau