public nuisance

public nuisance n. a nuisance which affects numerous members of the public or the public at large, as distinguished from a nuisance which only does harm to a neighbor or a few private individuals. Example: a factory which spews out clouds of noxious fumes is a public nuisance (how many people it takes to make a public is unknown), but playing drums at three in the morning is a private nuisance bothering only the neighbors. (See: nuisance)