Residents rage against doo-wop singers

NEW YORK, June 4 (UPI) -- Residents of New York's West Village neighborhood say they want the city to put an end to street corner singing by doo-wop groups.

Residents and business owners said the singers, who have been serenading tourists on street corners for years, are too loud and often not very good, the New York Post reported Monday.

"I can hear these guys right outside my window, and after 15 years, I would like to shoot them all dead," Bleecker Street resident Rosemary Bella was quoted as saying at a recent Sixth Precinct community meeting, the newspaper said.

Dorothy Green, president of the Central Village Block Association, said she estimates she has to listen to about 700 hours of doo-wop a year.

Members of street doo-wop group Spank defended their singing Friday.

"Bleecker Street has always been freaky to us, and by freaky, I mean great. Normally, we get a great response and a lot of business," tenor Herman Seay was quoted as saying by the Post.

Deputy Inspector Brandon del Pozo, commanding officer of the Sixth Precinct, said officers are looking into the matter.

"It's clear they're decreasing people's quality of life," he said. "While doo-wop is not a crime, a minute or two for a fond memory for tourists is a year of aggravation for residents."