Councilmen turn up support for noise law
Violators could face jail time under the proposed ordinance.
BY AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Two city councilmen are sponsoring a noise ordinance that would fine people up to $500 for playing music or television too loudly.
Noises regulated under the ordinance include playing music on a radio or CD player, shouting, blowing horns, playing musical instruments and watching television.
The new ordinance will beef up the city's noise ordinance by increasing the penalties, said Councilman Robert L. Dean Jr., D-at large, who co-sponsored the legislation with Councilman Vincent S. Flask, D-5th.
Dean plans to introduce the ordinance as emergency legislation so it can get immediate passage.
"We want to get it up and rolling so it can be enforced all through the summer," he said.
Enforcement
People found guilty of violating the ordinance will face a $100 fine with the first offense, a $250 fine for the second and a $500 fine for the third. Anyone committing a third offense will also face a minimum of three days or a maximum of 30 days in jail.
Also, any sound device used to violate the ordinance will be subject to seizure by police.
Violators will be charged with a separate offense each day the noise continues, according to the legislation.
The legislation defines excessive or unreasonable noise as anything that disturbs "the quiet, comfort or repose of the neighboring inhabitants," but it doesn't give a specific decibel level.
"The noise level will be whatever the police officer or judge deem inappropriate," Dean said.
The ordinance will not apply to school-related activities or concerts and events sponsored by the city, according to the legislation.
The level of noise in the city is a quality of life issue, Dean said. Many young people who play their music loudly don't have any respect for others, Dean said.
"They don't think about it bothering their neighbor," he said. "They just let it rip as loud as they can get it."
The noise ordinance will be council's first step in improving Warren's quality of life, Dean said.
"It's like peeling back the layers of an onion," he said. "We'll start with the noise, and then we'll move on to other issues."
agarrett@vindy.com