Here
is a reprint of the story that aired on TV:
The Boca Raton man who
runs a Halloween and Christmas show every year in his front
yard is facing police action.
Several
days after his Halloween show wrapped up, Boca Raton police
say they are going to serve Rick Newman a noise violation.
Thousands
of people stop by his home at the intersection of NW 9th Ave.
and NW 7th St. to see the elaborate exhibits.
"It
brings a lot of people together and it gets everyone
excited," said Sophia Alembik, 12, a next-door neighbor.
But
Newman is convinced there are neighbors who are consistently
complaining to the police.
"Two
of my neighbors complain that my Halloween show that I've been
doing for years is now too loud," he said.
Last
year, city hall got complaints over the big crowds - but
ultimately gave the show a green light.
"The
police have been here over fifty times, all for naught, it was
all deemed unfounded," said Newman.
But
he says for the first time, he's getting a ticket.
A
few times in the last week, days after the Halloween show
wrapped up, he says his wife has answered the door to find
Boca police ready to hand him a noise violation.
"Three
different officers came. Knocked on the door, they wanted to
serve me with notice of violation, an appearance ticket,
" said Newman.
But
he's been recuperating from heart surgery, and since he was
unable to come to the door, the ticket is still unserved.
He
insists the opposition only comes from a small minority of
grinchy neighbors.
Show
proceeds allow him to cut a check every year to the Make a
Wish Foundation.
He
says he's confident the law won't shut him down.
"I
get thousands of people that come every year. I can't not do
this because of two people," said Newman.
Newman
says there is no doubt in his mind that he will set up this
front yard for his Christmas show which will start on
Thanksgiving night.
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