Honking problem better, not fixed

By Ed Runyan | June 9, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Garrick Krlich

WARREN

Garrick Krlich of Hubbard was back in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday seeking a civil protection order against one of the dozens of people who he says have been causing a disturbance at his house by honking their car horns.

In Wednesday’s case, Ray Fenton of Center Street in Hubbard consented to the protection order through Dec. 8, 2013, meaning he agreed to stop honking his horn or otherwise disturbing Krlich and his wife for 21/2 years.

Krlich, who filed dozens of protection order requests in common pleas court, is scheduled for hearings on three more cases at 10 a.m. July 13.

Four hearings held on May 4 resulted in protection orders being filed against two Hubbard men — one for two years and one for five years.

Krlich said Wednesday he believes the honking problem has abated in recent months, but the problem woke him up twice early Wednesday — at 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.

“It has slowed down. It has gotten better, but better is not fixed,” Krlich said. “They only have to do it one time to wake me up.”

Added his attorney, Robert A. Henken: “It appears to be not as fashionable to be part of the horn-blowing society.”

As with Fenton, Krlich and Henken have sat down with several of the people accused of participating in the two-year horn-honking problem to negotiate a resolution to avoid having to hold a hearing.

During those discussions, Krlich and Henken have asked some of the parties why they have participated in the honking.

None have said much, Krlich said, and thinks it’s because they fear retaliation from those who are instigating the acts.

“They appear to be afraid they will be victim next if they point the finger at someone,” Krlich said.

Krlich and Henken noted that the Hubbard Police Department and Robert Johnson, prosecutor in Girard Municipal Court, have refused to file charges or hold hearings on about 100 complaints Krlich has filed over the honking.

The result is that Krlich filed civil protection orders in common pleas court and hired Henken to assist him with them.

“I have to spend my money and time to do this,” Krlich said.

Johnson says he did send out about 70 letters to residences connected with the license plates on cars Krlich videotaped in the act of honking at his house.

The letters urged those in the residence to stop honking or face possible criminal charges.