6-Foot Singing Santa Sparks War in NJ Town: ‘Driving the Neighbors Nuts’
- Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:47am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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A woman’s 6-foot singing Santa is bringing everything but peace to a New Jersey neighborhood. Jill Patella put the animated figuring on her porch recently in honor of her husband, who passed away unexpectedly in 2007. Neighbors say that while they’re sympathetic, they’re not deaf, and the constant singing — which sometimes last 12 hours a day — is driving them crazy:
A neighbor complained not long after Santa was plugged in. It was making her loopy.
“She came over and said, ‘That thing is so ugly, I can’t take it anymore,’” Patella said.
Police were called. A decibel test was done. Singing Santa was within the law.
“I went into the neighbor’s house,” Sgt. Tim Kelly said. “She kept saying, ‘Can you hear it? Can you hear it?’ Finally, I did, but I had to strain to hear it.”
Kelly told Patella her Santa passed the decibel test.
“As long as it was off between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., I told her it was okay.”
But on Dec. 11, another Union Beach officer came by and gave Patella a ticket. The violation: NOISE. Written in capital letters.
Noise is exactly how Mark Dittman describes it. He lives across the street, and works nights and tries to sleep days. He says his wife, too, has trouble sleeping.
Another neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said the whole thing “is stupid.”
“Why can’t she just lower the damn thing?” she asked.
“All the neighbors are complaining,” he said. “It’s playing from 8:30 in the morning til 10:30 or 11 o’clock at night. We don’t mind that she has it on. But just lower it.”
Read more at NJ.com, including the author’s thoughts on who needs to exercise more “goodwill toward men.”
(H/T: Fark)
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Comments (64)
Mirac777
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 1:59pmWhat if it doesn’t HAVE a volume knob to turn it down? I see all other sides to this story EXCEPT the old lady’s. Isn’t that kind of unfair? Call her up, lets get the real issue out in the open here.How many of these things actually sound good? For those whining about its creepy? As if the Rap , Muslim chanting, and Mexican hoopla isn’t EVER creepy?
Report Post »radioguru
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 1:46pmWhat a total lack of consideration for your neighbors…. PERIOD! WHY she doesn’t want to turn the volume down is the “real question”.
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 1:41pmI don’t know why people choose to live that way. I can’t hear any of my neighbors from any wing of the house or from the guest house either. Just move and be smarter about the next house you purchase.
Report Post »ifthetruthhurtsTOUGH
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:57pmWhat’s with folks from New Jersey? I have a neighbor that came here from New Jersey and he is just as uncaring about other peoples feelings as this woman is ! My neighbor blasts music like that at Halloween and Christmas. If that Santa meant that much to the woman she’d have it INDOORS where it would be safe from vandals or thieves. Obviously she has it outside and turned on just to annoy the neighbors.
Report Post »stephenb.net
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 1:40pmYo hold on a minute there cha cha, just because some people from NJ are a bit uncaring doesn’t mean the lot of us act that way. In fact I would put a NJ native over any Californian when it comes to friendship, charity and the ability to merge onto a freeway without first having to stop.
Yeah we can be a bit abrasive, so what! It is the way of our people and we do it to your face not like so many who smile in your face while they stab you in the back. I love the people of NJ and but for the 1 in 5 nut jobs they are the kind of people I can trust to do the right thing when the chips are down. Just sayin.
Report Post »MomarSzyslak
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:54pmJust one more incident that serves to prove that old adage: Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean that you should do something.
Report Post »knotaclu
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 3:39pmexactly. What happened to common sense and a little courtesy to your neighbors? She has every right to do this, but so what, doesnt make it right. You have the best post on the whole thread….
Report Post »Bill Wallace
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:39pmIf it is within the law, per the decibel test, then too bad for the neighbors. The property rights trump your rights of an “ugly” santa.
I have neighbors who are “ugly”. I am talking howling monkey ugly. I don’t call the cops on them.
Report Post »bookofwisdom
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:30pmShe may be displaying it for her dead husband, but if I was her neighbor, I would be very upset. It is a matter of being courteous to others. I have neighbors who play loud music, thank God they turn it down when I ask them too because I would not be able to hear my TV if they didn’t. I’m sure the neighbors are correct in that she turns it down when the police come by, she is just wanting attention. If she wanted to please everybody she would play it when the children get out of school, between 1-4 or leave it off until Christmas day. It is too bad some people are just not considerate. It’s the times we live it.
Report Post »beverlee
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:27pmI know all you dog lovers are gonna hate this… However, if those were his dogs, they were louder than her Santa. She has to put up with them all year. He only has to put up with Santa for what…a month. Nice neighbors.
Report Post »stogieguy7
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:25pmTough one, but ultimately she is not being thoughtful of her neighbors and should turn it down. From what I see in the video, she appears to be very unreasonable. Being a neighborhood nuisance probably isn’t what her late husband had in mind.
Likewise, people (like the guy across the street) should squelch their yapping little ratdogs too.
Report Post »parmajohn
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:14pmNot sure about this one…Christmas will be here and gone But the barking dogs are year round I bet Merry Christmas
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:10pmThe lady is being a selfish bitch. Turn it down. Common cortousy dictates turning it down. There are other issues going on here. Blow up the freak show and be done with it. Harsh.
Report Post »Merry Christmas.
DVT
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 1:48pmYou talk about courtesy, and call her a selfish bitch? you have NO clue what courtesy means do you? Then you say blow up the freak show and then end with merry Christmas…Are you bi-polar?
Report Post »Mikee T
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:08pmNJ is full of ******** and angry mean people……It is a bad place to live…….rife with corrupt politicians for over one hundred years……..it’s a dispicable state……..a police state…….as long as you work for NJ, you have a shot……period……If you take a look at the number of municipalities here and the compensatory packages for state, city and township employees….as compared to the population in the state……you would choke on your eggnog….and, they don’t want to change it anytime soon as too many of these people have been on the gravy train for too long…many of which would be people that would have to make the necessary changes….Christie is not all he is cracked up to be either….. I can’t wait to get out of here……..Happy Holidays…..
Report Post »FED-UP-AND-READY-TO-TAKE-ACTION
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:25pmHappy Holiday??? No it’s Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »REETZBEE
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:08pmNothing like a good sized rock couldn’t fix.
Report Post »Giveitrevolution
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:07pmwhy are some people so damn stuborn? If I knew I was bothering people like this I wouldnt feel right doing it! OMG lady turn it down!
Report Post »Lantern
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:03pmI‘m surprised Santa hasn’t been kidnapped and held for ransom, yet. Yet.
Report Post »I have wind chimes that my ******* neighbor complains about. That’s all the reason I need for me to keep them up.
teachermitch32
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:02pmConnect the darn thing to one of those motion detector switches. Then, when someone approaches the front door it will activate. Problem solved and the joy of Christmas can go on for everyone.
Report Post »FED-UP-AND-READY-TO-TAKE-ACTION
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:02pmWhat ever happened to “love your neighbor as yourself”? The lady has a need to honor her late husband. As long as she is within the law and does not play it all night what is the problem?
Report Post »I get so sick of people always telling someone else what they can and cannot do……………..MERRY CHRISTMAS!
@leftfighter
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:11pm“I get so sick of people always telling someone else what they can and cannot do.”
EXACTLY!
Just like the Al Sharpton deal happening. If you’re offended, ignore it. If you’re annoyed, ignore it. You don’t have a right to tell me what to do, if what I’m doing falls within the preestablished limits, in this case, decibel limits.
This nanny state crap is getting out of hand and even 1/2 of this crowd is falling right into it by beating up the lady with the Santa.
Coal for you on Saturday!
Report Post »knotaclu
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 3:20pmYou got it…. Sick and tired of it. So much so I hope both of your neighbors buy the same annoying Santa and play it night and day with the volume turned up pointed right at your house. Oh that would be awesome cause you guys are very tolerant of annoying things like this. I mean the woman is within her right to do this, even though it bothers others, but knowing you 2, you wouldnt mind a little Christmas cheer to brighten the days…..Merry Christmas to all the tolerant people out there, and even to those that find this annoying like I do….
Report Post »FED-UP-AND-READY-TO-TAKE-ACTION
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 3:48pmKNOTUCLU,
Bring it on, what ever happen in being willing to endure a little something for someone else every once and awhile. The post said it was within the sound limit and from 8am-10pm. So again what is the problem. Does everyone want everyone else to do as they would do, it would be strange world if so. I guess I still believe in Christmas Magic. I can’t help but notice like leftfighter said this topic is split on the board with some who support and others like yourself that do not approve. The lady is in grieving for her husband so you would not indulge her in this manner? I guess asking you to maybe help shovel her snow away or give a helping hand to a lonely widow would be asking to much as well. I would expect this from the “me first me now leftest people…………….where do you fall in now……………..MERRY CHRISTMAS..PLAY THAT DAM SANTA PLAY!
Report Post »knotaclu
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 3:59pmat FED UP….yep, she has every right to do it but again I say, how bout some common courtesy for those that do not appreciate the annoyance…….I will never intentionally do something that bothers my neighbors or my family or anyone for that matter. I guess I just have too much respect for others feelings.
As far as helping widows, etc, I spend at least 4 hours a week on my street with the weed eater, edger, blower cleaning several widows and single women’s yards right along with mine, NO SNOW HERE, so I can’t relate to the “me 1st, me know leftist crowd…….
simple common courtesy all I’m asking for….
Report Post »FED-UP-AND-READY-TO-TAKE-ACTION
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 4:27pmknotaclu,
I appreciate your response, I guess we both agree about 95%. I would not do it myself but if my neighbor had the need and was within the law I would have to respect is regardless of if I liked it or not. And thanks for doing your part in your neighborhood to help out these who need it………MERRY CHRISTMAS
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:02pmStupidity comes in many forms. This one passes the “dumber than a stone” test.
Report Post »1. Why is it on all day. 5-10 pm should be plenty.
2. If the neighbors are complaining, then why not turn the darn thing down? Or is she trying to tick them off.?
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy. Why aggrevate the folks living around you? Of course, if they are “happy holidays” type ********, turn it up.
DashRipRock
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:01pmHow bad can a polyphonic rendition of “Jingle bells” be ?
Report Post »larman
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:00pmLOL is this Santa creepy or what? Sounds a little like the spooky dude.
Report Post »http://www.larryfalco.com
ebayer
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:59amDoesn‘t she care that she’s being a nuisance to her neighbors?
12 hours a day is a little excessive.The “Christmas spirit” wears a little thin when you have to hear it all day everyday.
Report Post »I like Christmas music as much as anyone else,but I don’t want to hear it all day.
@leftfighter
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:58amI can see this both ways.
If she’s within the decibel limit nobody has a right to complain.
On the other hand, remember the Billy Bass rubber singing fish a few years back? Yeah. That got the bat at my house. I mean that literally.
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:56amBetter than a singing Mohamed…………
Report Post »MCGIRV
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 2:19pmThats for sure but you got to admit that singing Santa is annoying!
Report Post »stephenb.net
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:54amIt’s New Jersey. There‘s a chance Santa will be sleeping with the fishes if Patella doesn’t put the volume down.
ebayer
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:59amlmao@stephenb.net
Report Post »knotaclu
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:52amMy neighbors have music playing in their front yard and it is beyond annoying. This is no different than playing loud music in the house. People can be real idiots….
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:56amUnderstood, I have neighbours in the floors above me who play their stereo louder than anything, and a dog across the street that has the non-stop shattering glass ‘yip-yip’ all night, and every night as well.
However, if she is within her legal rights to do so, then she can have the display going on. Let the law decide now in the courts since she has been cited.
Report Post »joseph Fawcett
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:03pmChristmas is when we are to think of others and what God gave to us through His Son, and what that all means. It is not a time to put up displays that annoy others around us, or to insist that others join in your sorrow and rememberance of a loved one pasting. The woman should turn it off or turn it down, especially if she has neighbors that are trying to sleep during the day. How very unchristmas like of her to insist that others listen to her display.
http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:18pmIf it were my Santa and I lived in Jersey and my neighbors were complaining about the singing. I would replace Sata’s sound track with Chris Chrities greatest hit speeches.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:23pmJust wait until we have to listen three times a day to the call to face Mecca echoing through town squares everywhere. What? You don’t think we are headed there? Wake Up!
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 1:03pmMaybe we should have thousands of these things carpet bombed into various Muslim countries?…Consider it a “secret weapon” lol
Report Post »LSX
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 1:03pmI want but ten of those things *just* to piss off my nosy neighbors!
:-)
Report Post »Dirty Harry
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 1:14pmIf I lived on that block, I would abduct that irritating Santa, drive him out to the country and put a 9mm between his eyes.
Report Post »jds7171
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 1:23pm@cobra Blue.
Report Post »THe call to mecca is 5 times a day. Believe me. and unlike Obama I kind of find it a bit creepy.
Eraty Bab
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 2:32pmDashriprock…..you ROCK!!!!!!
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on December 20, 2010 at 5:25pmthe lady is grieving.. get over it for a season.. it’s NOT that long.. have some compassion.. yes it maybe annoying but many find those they live with annoying too.. do they turn them off?? Have any of you invited her to your homes durning this holiday to make her loss easier..? apparently she’s having a hard time and MANY find the Christmas season MORE depressing than the rest of the year…
Report Post »I personally LIKE the Santa it looks like the one on “HAPPY DAYS” Mr. Cuttingham fixed it and it was hitting people on the head as they went to the door.. it was funny..