In a bizarre incident in Burnaby last year, two police officers responded to a call about screams emanating from a condo unit. Upon entering, they were met with a surprising discovery – peculiar devices set up in various rooms. These devices, described as “thumpers” in court documents, were designed to transmit noise into the unit above. The man allegedly responsible for these devices now faces charges of mischief, set to be heard in court later this month.
The court document supporting the warrant to search and seize the devices included a photo and an Amazon listing for a similar product, cryptically labeled as a “Reduce/Decrease/Cut Down Neighbour Upstairs Machine Noise Deadener/Sound Eliminator/Silencer/Muffler Strike Back.”
An officer noted in the warrant application that these devices, also known as “zhenlouqi” in Chinese media, are believed to transmit noise and vibrations to neighboring units within residential buildings. Despite noise disputes not being uncommon, setting up a device intentionally to disrupt a neighbor’s peace is considered unusual and infringes on their right to quiet enjoyment.
Vancouver lawyer Alex Chang, specializing in property law, expressed astonishment at the devices and highlighted that neighborly noise conflicts are typically resolved through mediation channels. The suspect in this case was found uncooperative and mute when encountered by police, with additional noise complaints following the initial incident.
The complainant upstairs reported disturbances including rhythmic thumping, banging, and recorded audio loops of dogs barking. The situation escalated when the man in the downstairs unit mentioned “rage taking control of him” and causing harm to others, specifically his upstairs neighbor.
This peculiar case raises questions about neighborly disputes and the lengths individuals may go to disturb others. As the legal proceedings unfold, the true motives behind these disruptive devices may come to light.