NPR What would you do?

lizlemon77

(Sorry if this gets long)

I'm having neighbor issues and I'm not sure how to handle it.  We live in a very quiet peaceful neighborhood with lots of families.  Our house is on a residential street but we are the third house from the end of the block.  The cross block is a fairly busy street w/ a daycare, gas station and an apt building.  Half of the apt building is a hair salon.  We are having major issues and I'm not sure what to do about it.

The customers that use this salon are downright rude.  They should be parking on the main street but instead they park on our residential street.  There is a huge sign right in front of our house that says no parking on this side of the street and yet every day there are two or three cars that park there. (our street is narrow so if there are cars on both sides emergency vehicles would not make it through)  They leave their garbage in the street and throw their cig butts into our grass.  (DD picked it up one day and said "mama, what's this?")  My neighboor and I both call the non emergency police to have them come and ticket the cars but I shouldn't have to do that every day! 

There is also the issue of the language that they are using.  They sit in their cars outside our house w/ profane music blasting or they are talking on their cell phones using every curse word I can think of.  The salon will often stay open late and so they are coming and going at all hours of the night.

My neighbor has attempted to contact our alderman but got no response.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this?  Unfortunately I also have reason to believe that there might be some drug stuff going on in there.  I see way too many people who park, go in for 3 minutes and then come back out.  Nothing you do in a salon takes 3 minutes.  I'm going to contact our alderman as well but I thought maybe you ladies would have some suggestions.  We love our house and our neighborhood but honestly this one business is making us think about moving.

katie277s

Have you talked to the salon owners about letting their customers know about the parking rules?  That would be my first step.  If you have and they are not doing anything about it, then continue calling the non emergency police to give tickets out.  I would assume that enough tickets would eventually get through to them.  It could be an honest mistake that they are parking on your street, even thought here is a sign. 

In my experience, signs to absolutely nothing for someone who has their mind set on doing something.  They totally miss it!

(((hugs)))

docmay25

I would try talking to the salon owner too.  I have been in places of business where they have signs at the front desk stating not to park in specific spots and to please move your car if you are parked there.  Explain to the owner that it is a concern of safety for teh children on the street, emergency vehicles not getting thru etc.  If that doesnt work then I would keep up with the non emergency police...write letters explaining the ongoing problem.

Good Luck, sounds like an annoying problem.

EMT

I'm not sure you would get anywhere with the salon owner if you think they are dealing drugs out of the salon.  Is it illegal to park that way?  Can you start calling the police and get the cars towed?  That would probably stop it.

lizlemon77

I know I should probably go over and talk to them, but to be honest I'm a little hesitant.  It seems like most of the clients there are "friends" of the owner.  I also hesitate because if there really are drugs coming in and out of there I don't want to call too much attention to myself as the nosy white lady down the street.

I know I'll get flamed for this, but I should add that none of the people who I've seen use this salon live in this neighborhood.  The motto on their sign is "come in nappy leave out happy."  They do mostly hair braiding. 

I also thought about contacting the owner of the building.  Does anyone know were I can find that kind of information?