What has West Salem become? How is a Boys & Girls Club welcome if kids can’t play without offending adults? Children can’t resolve conflict if adults won’t make the effort.

West Salem is unique. Our kids cared for a fake dog as a way to get a real one. This made the front page. We eventually got a dog and made the paper again.

People get along here Or I thought so until tonight.

My son’s band was “jamming” in our garage at 6 p.m. and younger kids listened and and played nearby until we got a noise ordinance violation warning by a West Salem policeman and sheriff. An anonymous “neighbor” complained. We’ve had no complaints in the past. Neighbors even danced when the kids practiced in the past.

With a warning, if anyone complains EVER again, we will be fined. There is no acceptable noise level or time in West Salem.

We plan to be here a long time and are in the new driver, band, float-building teen years, so I think, EVER, is a long time.

Why aren’t residents told to go to the source before police speak their case? Why wouldn’t adults contact us about anything to do with our children? Where can teens go to stay off the streets? Personally, I love that they want to be here.

The sheriff recommends we visit neighbors to find the problem, so where do we start? If anyone was disturbed we’d make changes immediately. They just had to ask. I’m proud the boys responded, as they should, with respect despite their disappointment.

To the anonymous caller, I’m sorry you felt this was the way to go. You, too, are welcome in our home anytime. We won’t call the police about any fun, laughter, music, joy, or complaining you might want to do.