A black couple in Maryland have claimed they are being targeted by police because of their race, after repeatedly being called on by their neighbors in a mostly black neighborhood for hosting loud parties.
Prince and Angela Floyd have had police respond to their home 41 times for noise and parking complaints involving 11 events over a three-year period, the Washington Post reported.
The Floyds are now suing for a whopping $3 million in a federal civil rights lawsuit, alleging they’re being unfairly targeted for hosting lavish parties in their nearly million-dollar Accokeek home.
But their neighbors – who are mainly black – insist the issue is about noise, not race.
Prince and Angela Floyd transformed their home into the ‘Floyd Estates’, complete with a red carpet, live band and food trucks for their frequent family gatherings and celebrations.
Prince and Angela Floyd have had police respond to their home 41 times for noise and parking complaints involving 11 events over a three-year period
Prince and Angela Floyd transformed their home in Accokeek, Maryland into the ‘Floyd Estates’, complete with a red carpet, live band, and food trucks for their frequent family gatherings and celebrations
Interestingly, census data shows 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 the talk of the town – with rumors of exotic dancers and hookah parties, which the couple deny.
The drama kicked off with a pandemic-era graduation party for the Floyds’ daughter in 2020.
With 50 to 70 guests on their lawn and a makeshift stage, the celebration quickly drew the attention of local residents who called police with noise complaints.
The Floyds, who are now suing their neighbors and the police for $3 million, say they are being racially discriminated against.
The Floyds’ parties have become the talk of the town – with rumors of exotic dancers and hookah parties, which the couple deny. (Pictured: The Floyds taking in the view on their property)
The Floyds say they are being racially discriminated against and have filed a $3 million federal civil rights lawsuit
The Floyds allege their civil rights have been violated, with their neighbors using the police to ‘harass and intimidate’ them.
They are now demanding a jury trial, membership to the local civic association, and millions in damages.
‘It makes me feel threatened, like my life could be taken,’ Prince Floyd, 53, told the outlet.
Floyd, who appears to have a long criminal history involving everything from driving drunk to battery added: ‘Every time the police show up, I am in fear of my life.
‘It makes me feel threatened, like my life could be taken,’ Prince Floyd says of the alleged harassment
‘When they show up and they see a black man talking to them, it is almost like they are ready to be aggressive with me.’
But their neighbors insist it’s about noise, not race.
They claim the issue has nothing to do with race, and is simply about the Floyds hosting parties that are ‘too loud, too large and too disruptive.’
‘It has nothing to do with them being black,’ said Margaret Littlejohn, a black neighbor whose fiance is named in the Floyds’ lawsuit. ‘It has to do with them not being good neighbors.’
Interestingly, census data shows 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.
However, their neighbors – who are mainly black – claim the issue has nothing to do with race, and is simply about the Floyds being disruptive and ‘not good neighbors’
Neighbor Maria Femia, who is white, claimed Prince Floyd ‘verbally abused and bullied’ her when she complained about traffic jams.
She even alleged he tried to run her over – a claim Floyd vehemently denied, according to the Washington Post.
‘Living across the road from the Floyds,’ Femia told the Post, ‘I have to deal with the unpleasant, nasty behavior, the loud parties, the traffic, illegal fireworks, food trucks, the buses full of people coming to their property blocking the roads for their large events.’
However, some black neighbors have rallied behind the Floyds, sharing similar stories of feeling ‘targeted.’
Monique Hagler, 45, claims police have shown up at her house more than 20 times in four years, even drawing guns at a children’s birthday party.
‘I really regret buying this house,’ Hagler, 45, told the outlet. ‘You should be able to at least enjoy your own backyard with your family and friends.’
The dispute has spiraled, with the county declaring the Floyd home a ‘nuisance property’ and fining them $1,000.
Angela Floyd claims she uses a sound meter to keep the noise in check, but neighbors said they aren’t buying it.
‘It seems to happen to just us. So now we’re seeking justice for just us,’ Angela Floyd, 49, told ABC7.
The Floyds now say they reportedly feel unwelcome in their own community, claiming ‘the message sent from the neighborhood is clear: ‘They don’t want us here.’
