February 11, 2009 7:44 PM
- Text
A Fight Christmas
(CBS)
Crowds come from miles around to Scottsdale, Ariz., to see Chris Birkett's Christmas decorations.
His house is decked with 150,000 sparkling lights, three snow machines, four bubble machines and holiday music, all choreographed in a computer-synchronized performance.
However, not everyone thinks snow, Santa and surround sound belong in the middle of the desert.
Birkett's neighbors, Alicia and Barry Majercin, have filed a complaint with the police.
Officer Sam Bailey joined Chris Birkett on The Early Show to outline the complaint. "They were concerned not so much with the display itself as the audio that accompanies the display and that was, they felt, loud enough to keep the children from sleeping when they tried to put them down at 7:30 or 8:00 in the evening."
Birkett's display remains open until 10 p.m. He says he has gone out of his way to accommodate the Majercins.
He says he has erected a giant sound wall that is so effective that noise from his yard can't even be detected next door with a sound meter.
The Majercins' complaint triggered an onslaught of media coverage from as far away as Russia, inspiring even greater crowds to come see the display.
The Early Show tried to contact the Majercins but they have apparently left their house temporarily due to the noise, the light and the traffic.
Officer Bailey says their current complaint is being reviewed by the city prosecutor's office. He hopes the matter can be mediated, noting that this approach hasn't worked so far.
His house is decked with 150,000 sparkling lights, three snow machines, four bubble machines and holiday music, all choreographed in a computer-synchronized performance.
However, not everyone thinks snow, Santa and surround sound belong in the middle of the desert.
Birkett's neighbors, Alicia and Barry Majercin, have filed a complaint with the police.
Officer Sam Bailey joined Chris Birkett on The Early Show to outline the complaint. "They were concerned not so much with the display itself as the audio that accompanies the display and that was, they felt, loud enough to keep the children from sleeping when they tried to put them down at 7:30 or 8:00 in the evening."
Birkett's display remains open until 10 p.m. He says he has gone out of his way to accommodate the Majercins.
He says he has erected a giant sound wall that is so effective that noise from his yard can't even be detected next door with a sound meter.
The Majercins' complaint triggered an onslaught of media coverage from as far away as Russia, inspiring even greater crowds to come see the display.
The Early Show tried to contact the Majercins but they have apparently left their house temporarily due to the noise, the light and the traffic.
Officer Bailey says their current complaint is being reviewed by the city prosecutor's office. He hopes the matter can be mediated, noting that this approach hasn't worked so far.
Popular Now in CBS News
- Teen's Facebook Sex Scam
- The Best Pregnancy Tests
- Pom-Pom Mom Goes To Extreme
- Perks of Five-Hour Energy Put to Test
- Eight Delicious Foods That Help Fight Belly Fat
- Which Yogurts Are Healthiest?
- How Long Foods Stay Fresh In Fridge
- Could Protein Shakes Harm Your Health?
- Best Sleep Positions To Rid Aches, Pains
- Ten Healthiest Fast Food Chains
- Best Low-Tech Cell Phones Suitable for Seniors
- Countertop Makeover In A Paint Can
- Five Hidden Dangers of Facebook
- Cyberbullying Continued After Teen's Death
- Electronic Cigarettes: Are They Safe?
- Can Exercise Make You Gain Weight?
- "Designer Babies" Ethical?
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News
- Boeing says it's frustrated with Dreamliner glitch
- Crown Princess departs after norovirus outbreak
- Southwest NH visual arts tour added to itineraries
- Fuel removal under way on Italy cruise ship
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News





