No matter where one lives, it seems like we can’t escape from that barking dog that infuriates us late at night.

We can try and alleviate the barking by maybe throwing something at it in the hopes it moves on. Yelling at it like a banshee to scare it is another way. Sometimes both methods work, but neither is recommended because those methods could be just as aggravating to neighbors as a barking dog.

A four-legged pest keeping us up at night is always aggravating, but what do you do about the two-legged pests? Those are the ones who have their radios kicking it to the four winds and loud mufflers to go along with it. It’s one of those quality-of-life issues that doesn’t seem to ever go away.

Living near Louisiana Avenue I have some noise problems, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.

However, that can’t be said for a Northside resident who lives near North Border Drive. Not only does she and her husband deal with noise pollution, but it seems there is some vandalism of their property going on as well.

She didn’t want to be identified by name for fear the problems could escalate. She said she’s at her wit’s end with all the problems in the neighborhood. She called The Daily News as somewhat of a last resort. She is 70, and her 78-year-old husband is in poor health after a recent stroke and has trouble sleeping through the night.

I am sure the police department has all it can handle in the city. She said she frequently calls the police, but the problems persist. Short of setting up shop near her house, I don’t see how the police could offer any assistance.

“Wednesday night is considered date night around here. At about 11 p.m. or midnight, they’ll come through the alley beside my house making all that noise. You can hear them two or three blocks down the road.”

The alleged vandalism could be another matter altogether. She said she has repaired a fence that has been torn down several times. She said the side of her van has also been keyed.

Another woman voiced her concerns at Tuesday’s City Council meeting about a teen wreaking havoc on a motorbike near her Union Avenue home. She said she feared the youngster could be injured driving the way he does.

Police Chief Joe Culpepper said he feels their pain.

“People need to have respect for each other,” Culpepper said. “It’s like mowing the yard. We’re here to help people with their quality of life issues. It’s the Golden Rule type of thing.”

Issues like noise pollution, vandalism and speeding motorcycles can be fixed. Like Culpepper said, the only solution is personal responsibility. Lets get to know our neighbors. That’s a start. We’ve got to start some type of dialogue somewhere

Randy Hammons is a staff writer for The Daily News. He can be reached by calling the office 985-732-2565, or by email him at randy.hammons@thebogalusadailynews.com.