WARREN City council considers toughening stereo law

The new ordinance calls for mandatory fines.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City council is considering legislation strengthening the law regarding car stereos turned up to disturbingly loud volumes.
Meeting Wednesday, council entertained first reading of an ordinance to enact mandatory fines and seizure of stereo equipment upon conviction. Three readings are typically given to new legislation.
"This is something to put more teeth into it," said Councilman Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, adding the ordinance is similar to Youngstown's.
Penalties
Under the ordinance, a $200 mandatory fine would be leveled for a first offense. The amounts would rise to $400 and $600 on second and third offenses.
Robert Holmes III, D-4th, said current city law specifies a fine of up to $200. The ordinance change was requested by police Chief John Mandopoulos.
"There's not a day that goes by that I don't get a minimum of five boom box calls," Mandopoulos said.
The ordinance includes a provision for seizure and forfeiture of the sound system at the owner's expense for a second or subsequent offense. Novak said the previous law didn't include a provision for seizure to be at the owner's expense.
Who removes the stereo system from a vehicle would be determined by a judge, the police chief said.