Thou shalt respect thy neighbors’ peace

When it comes to their Bear Street headquarters, the folks at Trinity

Broadcasting Network clearly haven’t been keeping up with Romans

12:18.

That would be the verse in the Bible that says, “Do your part to

live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.” That would be good

advice for the network in its dealing with its neighbors.

Ever since TBN moved to the facility in 1996, neighbors have made

numerous complaints, perhaps as many as 70 since early 2003,

according to one resident. The Costa Mesa City Council has already

banned the network from outdoor broadcasts, aside from special events

that would require a permit.

As recently as December, the city cited TBN twice for using a

hydraulic lift after hours.

You’d think with all that, TBN would learn to get along with the

people who live around its complex. Apparently not.

At this point, the network has escaped any further sanctions. The

council voted Tuesday not to ask the city Planning Commission to

review TBN’s permit that prohibits on-site activities after 10 p.m.

and restricts hours for other operations.

Instead of seeing this as a victory, Trinity needs to regard this

development as a friendly warning. This shouldn’t be construed as an

endorsement of their activities, which include tour groups and a

sizable outdoor light show.

Rather, they should see this as an opportunity to change the way

they’re perceived by their neighbors. Why not go about your business

in a way that will make people happy to live next to TBN, instead of

cringing?

As for the City Council, it’s one thing to let Trinity off the

hook for now. But if these complaints continue -- and, unfortunately,

given TBN’s actions over the last nine years, they probably will --

it’s the council’s responsibility to show that it means business.

For one, they can get serious about enforcing the network’s

permit. And if that doesn’t work, the council needs to make the

network fall into line by further restricting what they can and

cannot do on the site.

After all, as the people of TBN should already know, there are

consequences for those who disobey the law.