Last year, the New York City government helpline 311 fielded 145,252 complaints about noise, up 34 percent from 2013, in such diverse categories as barking dogs, loud televisions, loud music, loud talking, loud parties, banging and pounding. This year, as of Aug. 12, there were 105,063 calls to 311 about these and other aural disturbances. Most New York City residents want only two things from their neighbors: silence and distance.
