SPD officers tell noisy apartment residents to be quiet

Thursday, March 16

‘Knock three times on the ceiling …’

11:09 p.m., 1500 block of North Lockwood Ridge Road

Noise complaint: Police responded to a tenant’s noise complaint that her neighbor in the apartment above her was moving furniture. The complainant said she had not spoken with the upstairs neighbor that evening, and that the alleged noisemaker had moved in about three weeks prior.

The officer went upstairs and knocked on the apartment door. When the woman answered, the officer observed the apartment was dark. The woman said she had just awoken. She further stated the complainant knocked on her door in the past, telling her to turn off the music. Just prior to the officer arriving, she said the woman was banging on the ceiling with a broom.

Going back downstairs, the officer advised the complainant that the woman was asleep, not moving furniture and advised her to stop banging on the ceiling, to which she agreed. The upstairs resident said she will contact the property manager regarding her issues. No crime was committed.

Saturday, March 18

He shed eviction

8:23 p.m., 1500 block of Tarpon Avenue

Civil dispute: A woman attempting to evict a man who had been living in a shed on her property was told by police she would have to initiate a legal eviction process in order to have him removed. The responding officer contacted the man who was waiting outside of the shed he lives in, but would not provide his personal information. He was upset because the woman had rejoined his mattress from the shed.

The officer advised the man that the property owner was going to begin the eviction process and he needed to begin looking for another place to live. Both were advised to contact law enforcement should any further civil issues or verbal altercations occur. 

Monday, March 20

Grandma wants quiet

4:30 p.m., 2200 block of Bahia Vista Street

Noise complaint: Police responded to a complainant who said he had been in an argument with a resident upstairs over loud noise, and that he lives with his grandmother who was becoming upset because of the noise. He said he politely asked his neighbors to quiet down, which sparked the dispute.

Another resident made video of the dispute on her cellphone, and while no individuals could be seen, cussing and yelling were audible. The officer attempted to make contact with the upstairs neighbors, but received no answer at the door. The complainant was advised to call again if future issues occur.

Wednesday, March 22

Car-sale proceeds dispute

1:34 p.m., 1000 block of North Orange Avenue

Dispute: A woman contacted the front desk at SPD with a complaint that a mechanic had sold her 2011 Mercedes Benz while it was in his possession and that he reneged on his promise to pay her the $7,000 from the sale. The complainant, through a translator, told police she dropped off the car for repairs in May of 2022, and was later told by the mechanic he sold the car. He gave her $1,500 as a payment toward the total, but when she went to the shop months later to collect the balance she discovered the shop was out of business.

The translator said she called the man, who declined to meet with her to pay her, repeatedly saying, “Give me some time.” The officer advised her that once she accepted a portion of the money as a deposit toward the sale, she engaged in a business transaction, and that if he refuses to pay the balance she would have to file a claim in civil court.