Practice makes perfect, but for one Arkansas family their son’s drive to get better at the sport of basketball is making their lives difficult. Now, a member of the family is speaking out following a feud with their neighbor because of their son playing basketball in his own backyard during the day. The family’s “nasty” next-door neighbor is said to be furious every time she hears the ball start bouncing, and she’s not shy about sharing her thoughts for the neighborhood to hear.
A member of the Arkansas family took to the Legal Advice Reddit this week to try to get some answers about what they could do to de-escalate the situation. In the post, the parent explains that her son is not trying to be disruptive, claiming he never plays outside before 10 a.m. or after 8:30 p.m. He also doesn’t practice more than 8 hours a week. However, that hasn’t stopped the neighbor from complaining.
The concerned Arkansas resident also confessed that their neighbor found out that their son attends a local religious school, and she’s allegedly using the information to get under the family’s skin. The original poster claims that the neighbor has been making offensive religious remarks and even yells swear words over the fence.
“She’ll pretend she’s yelling at her dogs, but it’s clearly meant for him,” the parent wrote. “She found out that he attends a religious school, and many of her comments are anti-religion. They are meant to offend and antagonize.”
Arkansas Neighbor Harassing Boy Playing Basketball In his Own Yard
This week, things went from bad to worse when the parent went outside to upright their son’s basketball hoop, which had been knocked down by heavy winds. When the neighbor heard the hoop being picked up, she yelled “I can’t f—ing take it today!”
The family wants to know if there is any legal options they can take to protect their son’s right to play in his yard without being harassed. They thought about having a cease and desist letter drafted, but it’s unclear if that would even be something a lawyer would be able to do in this case.
“No lawyer will touch this…your neighbor is WELL within her rights to speak her grievances…just as your kid is allowed to make noise with his ball,” one person commented on the forum. “You and her have no legal recourse. If she starts making legitimate threats…then you could call the cops,” the commenter added.
Another suggested that the Arkansas family try to work it out in a civil way with the neighbor. However, not everyone is willing to compromise in these types of situations. Sadly, the young boy is being made to feel bad for playing a game he loves in his own backyard.