Hello -
I am writing for advice because I'm experiencing an unusual situation.
I don't have children and live in a large city in the US. My apartment is very small and positioned in an odd spot right next-door to a storefront. One of my walls abuts the storefront's wall, and these are old buildings so I can hear some noise from next-door.
The storefront was empty for a few years, then about 6 months ago it got rented and a lot of construction was going on at all hours which left me feeling pretty annoyed.
After a while it opened as a Psychic palour. I thought fine, whatever. But shortly after the space was occupied I found out that the people running it are using it as an apartment and have at least 1 toddler and 1 baby living there full time (and 3 adults?)- how I know this is the baby cries during the day and in the middle of the night regularly, and I sometimes hear the toddler.
The children are up until 2AM regularly and frankly I think a storefront is not a place to raise young children.
I know that a lot of life situations can be out of the ordinary and that children crying is a norm. But when should someone be concerned?
I do not want to talk or confront these people because I think no matter what it will antagonize them. Am I being overly concerned? Is there a point when child protective services should be called?
Part of me is wondering how the people there can stay as it must affect the tenants above them. I don't understand how the landlord could have rented the space out to them in the first place. But ultimately I'm concerned for the children - maybe I should just let it go.
I would appreciate any advice or suggestions. Thank you