10/14/2026
On Saturday, October 10, Officers Ulrich and Wallace responded to a neighbor's loud noise complaint about kids playing football in the street.
Although it was after juvenile curfew hours, the kids had parent permission to be outside and adult supervision nearby. In fact, one adult even stepped in as the game's referee.
Before joining the game, Officer Ulrich used his discretion to assess the situation and determined the noise level didn't meet the threshold for a violation of Fargo's noise ordinance. The officers also made sure to speak with the neighbor about the concern and talk with the kids before the game got back underway.
Officer Ulrich, who played one season for North Dakota Football, and Officer Wallace decided to join in for a few plays. Afterward, they spoke with the kids again before leaving, reminding them to keep the noise level down.
Calls like this are a reminder that not every situation needs to end with enforcement. These kids were spending time together playing football, and the officers saw an opportunity to encourage a positive activity and build relationships with members of our community.