Bad neighbors: noise, disputes and who to call

If you're in danger, call 911. Call 911

The neighbors are at it again.

Most neighbor problems get fixed with a calm conversation, a written note, or a mediator, not the police. Here's the order to try things in.

911, the non-emergency line, or 311?

Call 911 when health, safety or property is in immediate danger: a crime in progress, a fight or weapons, fire, smoke or the smell of gas, an intruder, a serious medical emergency. (FCC, DC Office of Unified Communications)
Call your police non-emergency number for things that may need police but aren't emergencies: noise complaints, vandalism, property damage, or incidents that already happened and the person is gone. The number is local. Look it up on your city or county police website and save it in your phone before you need it. Don't call 911 to ask for it. (911.gov FAQ)
Call or use 311 where it exists for city services and code issues: trash, abandoned cars, overgrown lots, and in some cities noise and the police non-emergency line. 311 isn't available everywhere. Check your city's website, or find your local government through USA.gov.
When you call 911, be ready to give the address (and apartment number), your phone number, and what's happening. Don't hang up until the call-taker tells you to. If you dial 911 by mistake, stay on the line and explain. (911.gov)

Steps that usually work, in order

1. Talk, once, calmly, at a good time (not at 2 a.m. mid-party). Assume they don't know. Say what the problem is and what would fix it.
2. Put it in writing. A short, polite note or letter with dates. Keep a copy.
3. Check the rules. Your lease, HOA rules, or local noise ordinance (often on your city or county website) say what's actually allowed and when quiet hours start.
4. Try mediation. Community mediation centers help neighbors settle disputes for free or reduced fees. Find one near you on the National Association for Community Mediation map.
5. Report it to your landlord, HOA, code enforcement (often through 311), or the police non-emergency line.
6. Get legal help if it keeps going. Free legal aid near you: LawHelp.org or the Legal Services Corporation finder.

Document everything

Keep a simple log: date, time, what happened, how long it lasted, and who else saw or heard it.
Save photos, videos and audio, letters and texts, and any report or case numbers you get. Store copies somewhere off your phone.
Stick to facts. Don't post about it online, and don't retaliate. It tends to hurt your case.

Resources

General information, not legal advice. Laws and phone numbers vary by place. Check with your local agency or a lawyer for your situation. Phone numbers and links checked against official sources on 2026-10-26.