A mother from West Sacramento is speaking out after what she describes as “months of harassment” from her neighbors, who she claims have repeatedly called the police on her children for doing what she calls “normal kid stuff.”
According to local reports, the woman — identified only as Mariah for privacy reasons — says the situation began with minor complaints last summer, when her two sons, ages 9 and 12, were playing basketball in front of their home. “It started with noise complaints,” Mariah said. “They said the ball was too loud, or the kids were outside too late. But it’s summer — they’re just being kids.”
Over time, the calls escalated. She says police have shown up to her house at least seven times since June, responding to various complaints made by one or more of her neighbors. “Sometimes it’s about them riding bikes, sometimes it’s because they were playing music. Once, it was because they were using water balloons in the yard,” she explained.
Bodycam footage from one of the incidents, which recently went viral, shows an officer arriving to speak with Mariah’s children. The boys appear confused and frightened as officers ask them questions about what they were doing. In one clip, the younger son can be heard saying, “We weren’t doing anything wrong.”
The incident has drawn sharp reactions online, with many viewers expressing outrage over what they see as unnecessary police involvement. “Calling the cops on kids for playing outside? That’s ridiculous,” one commenter wrote. “Let them have a childhood.”
Mariah says the constant visits have taken an emotional toll on her family. “Every time a police car pulls up, my kids get scared,” she said. “They shouldn’t have to grow up thinking they’re doing something bad just because they’re outside.”
However, some neighbors insist there’s more to the story. One local resident, who asked not to be named, told reporters that the children have been “loud and disrespectful” and that the mother “doesn’t keep them under control.”
Still, police records show that no arrests or charges have ever been filed in connection with any of the calls. Officers have described the incidents as “civil disputes” and “noise complaints,” with no evidence of criminal activity.
Community advocates have since weighed in, saying the case highlights the growing tension between neighbors and the misuse of emergency services. “When law enforcement becomes a go-to tool for settling personal grievances, it creates fear and mistrust,” said Sacramento civil rights advocate Tony Ramirez. “These types of calls take away resources from real emergencies.”
Mariah has now filed a formal complaint with the city, asking for mediation between her family and the neighbors. “I just want peace,” she said. “I want my kids to feel safe where they live.”
Her story has resonated across social media, sparking conversations about neighborhood conflict, racial bias in police calls, and the need for empathy in communities.
For Mariah and her boys, one thing is certain — they’ll keep playing basketball outside, no matter who’s watching.
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