SEATTLE — Living or working in Downtown Seattle can be noisy at times but it's expected in a large city.
Since before Christmas, through those typical sounds comes a different noise that has become a nuisance for many.
"It's constantly in our ears. I'm constantly singing 'Eye of the Tiger' all day long," said Evelyn McCarty regarding the loud music coming from outside the Ross store at 3rd and Pike.
McCarty and her husband, Dean "Mack" McCarty, say the music coming from the store has been playing nonstop music on a loop since early December.
"It keeps us awake. We understand the purpose of it but it's not working," McCarty said. She was told the music was turned up as a crime prevention tool.
"I wake up at 4 in the morning for work and it's on. It's so loud and so disruptive," she said.
The McCartys are not the only ones on edge at the West Edge apartment building.
"It goes 24/7 and it's unbearable," said Richard Merkle, another resident in the building.
Merkle is fed up. He is one of many who have called police to make a complaint and also called Ross.
"Hopefully the message is received," Merkle added.
A manager at West Edge even reached out to KING 5 saying the music is violating city code. "The volume and the hours at which it is played both exceed city limits according to the Noise Ordinance by the City of Seattle. This sound ordinance is in effect from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. We have contacted the non-emergency line for the Seattle Police Department and reported the issue."
A decibel reader showed the levels are significantly louder right next to the many speakers outside the Ross building compared to another city block in the same neighborhood. The levels were still below the threshold in the city ordinance.
Some neighbors are even moving out early because of the loud music.
"It placed me in a position where I knew I could no longer fight this battle and maintain my sanity," said Madinah Slaise.
Slaise and her husband are veterans. Slaise said the loud music is causing them stress. They sent multiple complaints before deciding to break their lease and move.
"That's something that is very challenging for me to accept. I had to abandon a mission, essentially," Slaise said.
The remaining neighbors want to see someone turn down the volume because it is one noise that someone can control.
"It is noisy downtown. It's a downtown corridor but this seems unnecessary," McCarty said.
KING 5 has reached out to Seattle police and Ross for comment regarding this matter. As of Friday evening, calls were not returned.
Watch KING 5's top stories playlist: