A procedure to help ensure neighbors don't target other neighbors is creating problems for a resident who claims she's had noise nuisance issues for two years.

During a tearful plea to the City Council last month, Karen Lundie urged the city to help her in what she's called a battle against the “bullies” of her neighborhood.

But city officials say there isn't much they can do unless Lundie can prove that other neighbors are suffering the same nuisance through the city's petition program.

“We go through this process to make sure that one neighbor isn't just mad at the other neighbor,” said Deby Conrad, the city's community safety manager who oversees code compliance.

The petition process requires a complaining neighbor like Lundie to get at least two other neighbors' signatures testifying they have the same problem.

Lundie has yet to submit a petition, but said her numerous complaints to the La Quinta Police Department and City Hall has only made her a victim of harassment from her neighbors.

“I've been dealing with this issue and city employees for years now, and I guess I just don't understand why it's taken so long,” Lundie said. “It just seems the city of La Quinta has a municipal code that cannot be enforced.”

Lundie said the noise began the night she moved into her home off Avenida Juarez two years ago and has ranged from loud parties to barking dogs and now a squawking bird.

Conrad said the city receives an average of 50 complaints a year with the majority of the complaints involving barking dogs or other loud animals.

When a petition is filled out and returned to the city, a citation may be issued with the first offense costing $50. A third offense can go up to $250, Conrad said.

But with no neighbors to back Lundie, the city's hands are tied.

Last week, Conrad and a Code Enforcement officer visited 13 homes near Lundie and the properties under scrutiny. Conrad said out of those homes, either no neighbors expressed the same concerns or the properties were vacant.

A map of the neighborhood indicating the homes visited and a report of the visit has been submitted to the City Council, Conrad said.

The city department will continue to monitor the neighborhood, she said.

“We've been trying to accommodate her,” Conrad said, “but it's been a real tough process.”