In a quiet neighborhood of Van Nuys, characterized by manicured lawns and single-family homes, residents have found themselves embroiled in a bizarre and disturbing situation involving a train horn that one homeowner installed on a tree in his backyard.
Over the past two months, Gary Boyadzhyan, 50, has repeatedly triggered the horn, resulting in lengthy and disruptive blasts that have rattled windows and drawn numerous complaints to local authorities.
While many neighbors are understandably frustrated by the noise, there is also growing concern for Boyadzhyan’s mental well-being, as he has described his behavior as a “cry for help.”
On Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Police Department received another call regarding the horn and subsequently paid a visit to Boyadzhyan’s home.
According to reports, Boyadzhyan’s installation resembles a large train or big-rig horn and hangs prominently over his one-story residence.
Neighbors on Peach Avenue, an otherwise tranquil area, have noted that Boyadzhyan typically activates the horn in the late afternoon or at night.
After police arrived at his home, a neighbor named Clara Espinoza expressed her surprise at discovering the noise’s source after living in the area for 24 years.
“I didn’t know where it was coming from all this time,” Espinoza stated, adding that she had planned to call the police due to the increasing frequency of the horn blasts in recent weeks.
Despite the concerns about the incessant noise, many neighbors have come forward with sympathetic remarks about Boyadzhyan, attributing his actions to personal struggles.
“He’s a nice guy who is just going through something,” one neighbor shared.
As police officers attempted to speak with him, Boyadzhyan appeared at his door dressed casually, openly discussing his grievances with the LAPD.
According to Boyadzhyan, he is dealing with a legal matter involving someone he claims has wronged him, which he believes has led to his current situation.
“I have an issue with LAPD Van Nuys,” he declared.
He further stated that the ongoing situation has cost him his job and has had a significant negative impact on his life.
During the interaction with the police, Boyadzhyan expressed frustration over how his neighbors had not approached him directly about their concerns.
“If they were concerned, they could have come over to talk with me,” he said, lamenting the presence of strangers and media at his home instead.
When asked if he planned to stop using the horn, he indicated he had no immediate intentions to activate it again, yet neighbors were disappointed when the horn was triggered hours later.
Subsequently, officers returned to Boyadzhyan’s residence, handcuffing him as he stood in his front yard.
He was arrested on charges including interfering with a peace officer and disturbing the peace, both misdemeanors.
Information from the LAPD confirmed that Boyadzhyan was booked into county jail around 9 p.m. and was released on his own recognizance in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Prior to his arrest, a spokesperson for City Councilmember Imelda Padilla mentioned that their office had not received complaints regarding the horn directly but was closely monitoring the situation.
Padilla’s office has now pledged to collaborate with appropriate authorities to address the noise concerns while ensuring that Boyadzhyan receives necessary assistance.
“This neighborhood deserves peace and quiet in its homes, and the current situation is unacceptable,” Padilla emphasized.
Meanwhile, Espinoza and other neighbors expressed worries over Boyadzhyan’s mental state, suggesting that the horn is more than just a nuisance—it may reflect deeper issues requiring attention.
Despite the disruption caused by the repeated horn blasts, there remains a sense of empathy for Boyadzhyan.
Neighbors have reported seeing him at odd hours of the night, using power tools for gardening or working on vehicles, which raises further questions about his mental health and overall well-being.
As the saga unfolds, residents of Peach Avenue are left grappling with the dual realities of living in a neighborhood affected by noise while also caring for a neighbor in crisis.
image source from：latimes
