A black couple in Maryland said police are targeting them because of their race after their neighbors in a predominantly black neighborhood repeatedly called them out for hosting loud parties.
Police have responded to Prince and Angela Floyd’s home 41 times for noise and parking complaints involving 11 events over a three-year period, according to the Washington Post reported.
The Floyds are now suing for a whopping $3 million in a federal civil rights lawsuit, alleging they are being unfairly targeted for hosting lavish parties at their nearly million-dollar home in Accokeek.
But his neighbors, mostly black, insist the problem is noise, not race.
Prince and Angela Floyd transformed their home into ‘Floyd Estates,’ complete with a red carpet, live band and food trucks for their frequent family gatherings and celebrations.
Police have responded to Prince and Angela Floyd’s home 41 times for complaints about noise and parking involving 11 events over a three-year period.
Prince and Angela Floyd transformed their home in Accokeek, Maryland, into ‘Floyd Estates,’ complete with a red carpet, live band and food trucks for their frequent family gatherings and celebrations.
Interestingly, census data shows that Accokeek is a majority black community, with black residents making up 65.2 percent of the population, followed by white residents at 18.7 percent.
The eight-bedroom home, last sold in 2020 for $784,895, is now worth $931,675, according to Redfin.
The Floyds’ parties have become a focus of attention in the city, with rumours of exotic dancers and hookah parties, something the couple denies.
The drama began with a pandemic-era graduation party for the Floyds’ daughter in 2020.
With 50 to 70 guests on the lawn and a makeshift stage, the celebration quickly attracted the attention of local residents who called police with noise complaints.
The Floyds, who are now suing their neighbors and police for $3 million, say they are being racially discriminated against.
The Floyds’ parties have become the center of attention in the city, with rumors of exotic dancers and hookah parties, something the couple denies. (Pictured: The Floyds enjoy the view from their property)
The Floyds say they are being racially discriminated against and have filed a $3 million federal civil rights lawsuit.
The Floyds claim that their civil rights have been violated and that their neighbors are using the police to “harass and intimidate” them.
They are now demanding a jury trial, membership in the local civic association and millions in damages.
“It makes me feel threatened, like my life could be taken away,” Prince Floyd, 53, told the outlet.
Floyd, who appears to have a lengthy criminal record that includes everything from drunk driving to assault, added: “Every time the police show up, I fear for my life.”
‘It makes me feel threatened, like my life could be taken away,’ says Prince Floyd of alleged harassment
“When they show up and see a black man talking to them, it’s almost like they’re ready to be aggressive with me.”
But his neighbors insist it’s about noise, not race.
They say the problem has nothing to do with race, and is simply that the Floyds host parties that are “too loud, too big and too disruptive.”
“It has nothing to do with them being black,” said Margaret Littlejohn, a black neighbor whose fiancé is named in the Floyd lawsuit. “It has to do with them not being good neighbors.”
Interestingly, census data shows that Accokeek is a majority black community: black residents make up 65.2 percent of the population, followed by white residents at 18.7 percent.
However, their neighbors, who are mostly black, say the problem has nothing to do with race, and is simply that the Floyds are disruptive and “not good neighbors.”
Neighbor Maria Femia, who is white, said Prince Floyd “verbally abused and intimidated” her when she complained about traffic jams.
She even alleged that he tried to run her over, a claim Floyd vehemently denied, according to the Washington Post.
“I live across the street from the Floyds,” Femia told the Post, “and I have to deal with the disgusting, disgusting behavior, the loud parties, the traffic, the illegal fireworks, the food trucks, the busloads of people coming onto their property and blocking the roads for their big events.”
But some black residents have rallied in support of the Floyds and shared similar stories of feeling singled out.
Monique Hagler, 45, says police have shown up at her home more than 20 times in four years, including pulling out guns at a child’s birthday party.
“I really regret buying this house,” Hagler, 45, told the outlet. “You should at least be able to enjoy your own backyard with your family and friends.”
The dispute has escalated to the county declaring the Floyd home a “nuisance property” and fining them $1,000.
Angela Floyd claims she uses a sound meter to monitor noise, but neighbors say she doesn’t believe them.
“It seems like it’s just us. That’s why we’re now seeking justice just for us,” said Angela Floyd, 49. ABC7.
The Floyds now say they apparently feel unwelcome in their own community, saying “the message sent from the neighborhood is clear: ‘We’re not wanted here.'”