POLICE City man gets fifth citation for music

The defendant has four convictions for loud music, two of them last September.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The music blaring out of Anthony Walker's Oldsmobile was heard four blocks away by Patrolman Daniel Tickerhoof, reports show.
Tickerhoof said in his report that he was at Market Street and Avondale Avenue around 6:30 p.m. Thursday when he heard the music. As the sound got closer, he determined it was coming from Walker's gray Oldsmobile and pulled it over.
The officer said in his report that Walker "asked for a break" because of his previous loud-music convictions.
The request failed and Walker, 36, of Brooklyn Avenue, was issued a loud-music citation -- his fifth. Records show his stereo equipment, subject to forfeiture if he is convicted, includes a Pioneer AM/FM/CD in-dash car stereo, two 15-inch speakers, two audio amplifiers and an acoustic crossover.
A judge may order forfeiture of the sound equipment for first or second offenses but must order forfeiture on third and subsequent offenses. Fines range from $50 to $250 for first offenders, $500 mandatory for second and $600 mandatory for third and subsequent offenses.
Offenders face up to 60 days in jail.
Walker pleaded innocent at arraignment Friday in municipal court. He'll be back in court Aug. 12 for a pretrial.
Cracking down
Last month, Police Chief Robert E. Bush Jr. described the crackdown on loud-music offenders as a quality-of-life issue. He said officers have been responsive to complaints about loud music, especially on the South Side.
The chief said that with warm weather, car windows are down and more people are out on the roads with their stereos booming.
The following reflects the disposition of Walker's four loud-music convictions:
USept. 9, 2003, $110 in fines and court costs. (Aug. 1, 2003 citation). Municipal Judge Elizabeth A. Kobly.
USept. 9, 2003, $110 in fines and costs. (July 24, 2003 citation). Judge Kobly.
UOct. 14, 1999, $260 in fines and costs. (Sept. 4, 1999 citation). Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr.
UOct. 8, 1998, $50 fine and ordered to surrender the stereo equipment. (Sept. 11, 1998 citation). Then-Judge Andrew Polovischak Jr.
meade@vindy.com