Sarasota, Florida - A new law, up for a final vote next month, would grant police in Sarasota the authority to impound vehicles found playing their stereos too loud and charge up to $650 in fines for repeat violators.

Not surprisingly, the law has proven controversial. On one side of argument, there’s the older residents in the community that complain about the ubiquitous culture of pimped out audio systems whose bass shakes the windows of homes as the Fast and the Furious lookalike cars drive by. They applaud the effort to get the volumes down to a reasonable level that doesn’t disturb anyone else and have called the law “long overdue.”

On the other side, there’s the younger residents, who spend thousands on car audio components to hear their music at peak volumes, showcase their financial success or to just vie for attention via thundering bass and super-chromed rims. They feel the punishment exceeds the crime and have been voicing their disgust over the law in online forums.

The concern of these “scafflaws” is joined by other citizens who feel the new law grants local police too much discretionary authority which may be used to harass or intimidate younger adults or minority groups. Under the law, police can stop drivers if they can hear the music 25 feet away.

Granting citations to residents for noise violations isn’t new to Sarasota. Last year, the police department issued 282 citations for loud stereos. Each citation costs drivers $74.50, an amount increased by up to 770 percent under the proposed law - plus any charges related to towing and impound.

Q: Contrary to what your ears might lead you to believe, there is a law against loud mufflers, whether they've been modified or not. Ed McKee of Puyallup questions whether the law is ever enforced.

"It seems that many small cars and pickup truck owners in my area have redone the muffler system to the extreme, [and] that causes the vehicle to roar at nerve-wracking decibels, causing ordinary drivers to endure ear-splitting noise that is unnecessary and alarming," he said. "Is this legal?"

A: State law requires mufflers at all times, and they can't be modified to be any louder than the original. The noise level, by law, cannot exceed 95 decibels. But, as Christine Fox of the State Patrol notes, gauging how loud is too loud may be the tricky part.

The vehicle noise-monitoring program was transferred from the State Patrol to the state Department of Ecology several years ago, she said. There is no routine, mandatory muffler noise test.

Local jurisdictions can determine how loud is too loud. But not all have a decibel meter. In fact, a lot of area muffler shops say they don't, either. Some car-stereo shops may have decibel meters.

Fox says the State Patrol or any other law-enforcement agency can issue warning notices for loud mufflers.

The best way to report a questionable muffler, Fox said, is to call your local law-enforcement agency. "But, like any other equipment violation," she added, "the officer needs to witness it."

Police continue crackdown on loud music, mufflers

LINDA N. WELLER, The Telegraph

07/11/2006

ALTON -- City police continue to crank up the volume of citations they are issuing this summer for loud music and noisy mufflers, writing up 14 more people in June than they did in May.

"We intend to continue to attempt to enforce those laws to the best of our ability," Alton Police Chief Chris Sullivan said.

"It’s very difficult to answer a call for a ‘boom box’ and come across it (find the vehicle), but we do respond to those calls and we do the best we can," he said. "Officers are stopping cars with loud mufflers and they are stopping cars with loud music. They are issuing citations and making arrests."

Alton police made 47 arrests for "a combination of unlawful use of sound amplification," general loud music complaints, such as parties, and noisy muffler violations. Muffler violations include vehicles with loud or no mufflers, and motorcycles revving up loudly, Sullivan said.

Of those 47 June citations, five were for muffler violations and five resulted from complaints from neighbors of people playing their music too loudly at their homes, the chief said. The 37 remaining citations were to drivers of cars and trucks playing their radio or stereo so that they can be heard 50 feet away, which is the limit contained in city ordinance.

The violations are considered misdemeanor disorderly conduct, punishable by a $75 fine.

Alton police issued 26 citations for loud car stereos and seven for noisy mufflers in May, the first month of this summer’s crackdown on violations of the city’s noise ordinance.

Sullivan announced previously that the department would have "zero tolerance" for noisy stereos and mufflers, but said it isn’t easy for police to locate the moving vehicles after being called unless the officer is in the immediate area.

Warm weather usually brings more complaints of noise because both residents who want to sleep and motorists who blare their music open up their windows, he said in June.

During the crackdown, police also are making it a point to regularly drive past a few spots in Alton where people congregate and play their car stereos loud.

The city’s noise ordinance, which went into effect in October 2003, prohibits someone from causing "excessive and unnecessary noise" or "to play any electronically amplified music" that can be heard 50 feet from a residence, "or other place from which the sound originates or heard within any home, apartment unit, hospital or church, other than the place from which the sound originates."

There is an exception for power lawn mowers, leaf blowers and construction equipment during various hours, depending on day of the week.

lnweller@hotmail.com

©The Telegraph 2009

Pipe down, partner

Clint Talbott, for the editorial board
Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Imagine that luxury cars were modified as many motorcycles are: To boost his car's performance (and image), Joe Boomer hacksaws off the muffler of his late-model Audi. At stop lights, when leaving a bar or whenever he fancies himself as Peter Fonda, Joe lets the loud revving rip.

Most drivers don't do that. But a significant subset of the motorcycling community does, in fact, revel in its noise.

This week, Denver paved the way to ticketing motorcyclists whose steeds rattle neighborhood teacups. After a two-hour hearing, the Denver City Council supported an ordinance that will allow police to ticket motorcycle riders whose bikes lack a factory-issued Environmental Protection Agency sound-test stamp.

Those who buy loud, after-market mufflers or unmuffled "straight pipes" will face a $500 fine.

The American Motorcyclist Association is against the ordinance. The group says the law is biased against bikers, the Rocky Mountain News reported Tuesday. Police could cite car drivers for excessive noise only with a reading from a decibel meter, but motorcyclists could be nailed based on the absence of federally certified mufflers.

"They have created a double-standard there," AMA spokesman Bill Wood told the News.

He is quite right. But the double standard reflects a few relevant facts:

Motorcycles are gaining in popularity, particularly among middle-aged people who have disposable income and (sometimes) an urge to appear rebellious. Nearly half of the 5 million registered motorcycles in the United States have modified exhaust systems, reports the Motorcycle Industry Council. Many of these pipes are stamped "for closed-course competition only" but are used on the roads illegally.

Pamela Amette, vice president of the industry council, told the New York Times that it's illegal to install a motorcycle exhaust system that does not meet federal requirements, "but it's not being enforced."

Anyone who's heard the roaring hordes cruising the streets or rumbling up the canyons knows this is true. And complaints about motorcycle noise far exceed police departments' ability to enforce the law. To cite a loud motorcycle in Denver (and elsewhere), police must work with an environmental-enforcement officer with a decibel meter.

It's expensive and inefficient. And it ensures that while some riders are in hog heaven, many citizens are disturbed by illegal levels of noise. A bike equipped with straight pipes can emit 110 decibels or more, which is about the sound of an ascending jet 1,000 feet overhead.

Given these circumstances, Denver's approach seems sound. Cities and towns in Boulder County should consider adopting their own version of this sensible peace plan.

Elkhart looks to quiet mufflers, music

Proposed changes to Elkhart's noise ordinance would increase fines and make it easier for police to enforce. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jun 16, 2008 at 3:06 PM EST

ELKHART — Elkhart leaders want to make the city's neighborhoods quieter.

On Monday night the City Council will discuss changes to an ordinance restricting loud mufflers, music and cars.

Even though a city ordinance currently exists to minimize noise, many residents are hoping for stricter penalties and more enforcement.

"We get several complaints a day on loud, either loud music coming from cars or vehicles with loud mufflers, mostly motorcycles,” explained Elkhart Police Lt. Ed Windbigler.

Residents added the closer they are to downtown, the bigger problem it becomes.

"The problem we really have is loud, loud music, that will be, ‘boom, boom, boom,’ you can hear it all along the way as you're driving along,” said Leonor Ruiz of Elkhart.

"Seeing a motorcycle go down the highway in the middle of town, having their boom boxes on that you can hear all over town — that's not right, we shouldn't have to listen to his idiotic music,” said Dorothy Webster, another Elkhart resident.

“I think that noise should be under control and I think any suggestion to have some better enforcement than what we have, is well taken,” said Jack Donis of Elkhart. “As a citizen I am really affected by the noise, and I don't care for it."

Police are hoping for better enforcement and the department is looking to hire a full-time officer to deal strictly with noise complaints.

The proposed changes would increase fines from $200-250 and officers would not be required to use decibel meters to track noises.

South Bend's ordinance is similar with the first offense costing $100, the second $250 and the third $500.

News Archive

Group sets out to cut noise in Greeley (CO)

By Jesse Fanciulli,

The Greeley Tribune (CO)

November 10, 2003

Doug and Helen Blanz of Greeley like to sleep with their window open -- and they want city government to help ensure the kind of peaceful slumber they enjoyed while visiting quieter cities.

The Blanzes are the founding members of an action group called Citizens for a Quiet Greeley. The group's goal: Shushing sources of vehicle noise until the nights are as quiet as the ones the Blanzes enjoyed in Alaska and Nevada.

“In the last year I spent a week in Anchorage and Las Vegas,” said Doug Blanz, a 67-year-old retired school counselor. “Every night, I had my window open and I never heard a loud vehicle.”

But there are fewer silent nights in the Blanzes southwest Greeley neighborhood, Doug Blanz said. Vehicle noise, particularly loud mufflers, originating from 23rd Street Road and the nearby U.S. 34 Bypass, interrupts the couple's sleep.

Noise from a neighbor's altered motorcycle muffler added to the problem.

Police wound up ticketing the neighbor, and what happened next spurred the Blanzes to action.

The Blanzes were chagrined to learn that their neighbor escaped a fine for the noise violation after telling the municipal judge he planned to get rid of his loud muffler or fix it.

Helen Blanz, 68, a retired attorney who worked on several criminal cases in Minnesota, said she wishes the court would have set a deadline for the neighbor to do what he promised.

“Sentencing shouldn't be open ended,” Helen Blanz said, adding that her neighbor could wait 20 years to sell or fix the muffler. City Attorney Rick Brady said his office has since contacted the motorcycle owner and is keeping pressure on him to fix the problem.

Even so, the Blanzes decided to organize a group of Greeley residents who want the city's vehicle noise laws to be stricter and better enforced.

The couple's neighbors were among the first to join Citizens for a Quiet Greeley.

Today, Citizens for a Quiet Greeley now includes nine homeowners' associations representing 2,486 residents and a handful of people who spent hours on street corners documenting apparent noise-law violations, Doug Blanz said.

On two dates -- July 2 and Aug. 14 -- members of the group logged suspected noise violations at five Greeley intersections from 7-8 p.m.

The group judged apparent violations based on criteria including that the noise was so loud it would wake someone from sleep and or cause annoyance and irritation.

The first survey showed that 232 vehicles generated unacceptable noise. A second survey at the five intersections showed 196 apparent noise violations.

With the surveys to back them, the Citizens for a Quiet Greeley took their case to city council Tuesday.

The group urged the city to take many steps to curb vehicle noise, including:
* Impose tougher penalties, including more fines for vehicle noise law violators.
* Consider adopting stricter standards for noise violations.
* Create a noise-reduction task force.
* Establish vehicle noise-enforcement and reduction goals, including ticketing quotas for police.

Some of the suggestions didn't sit well with city staff.

For example, Greeley Police Chief Paul Branham said he'll encourage police to enforce noise laws but won't establish the noise-ticket quotas. Branham said police issued about 90 vehicle noise citations so far this year.

“I like the idea of a quiet, peaceful Greeley, and I'll encourage our officers to enforce laws for a quieter more peaceful Greeley,” Branham said. Ticket quotas, however, have no place in Branham's philosophy of law enforcement.

Even so, Greeley City Council directed city staff to explore the Blanzes' suggestions for reducing vehicle noise as well as noise from other sources.

City Councilman Don Feldhaus praised Citizens for a Quiet Greeley for amplifying the city's conversation on noise pollution.

“The work you've done here is very admirable,” Feldhaus said.

About the law

Greeley has laws on the books that prohibit loud noise from many mobile sources including loud mufflers, car stereos and misuse of horns. Fines, which are up to the court to impose, can generally range from $50 for a vehicle noise offender cited under the traffic code to $600 for someone who has accrued three noise violations in a calendar year, Greeley Municipal Court Judge Linda Goff wrote in an Oct. 27 memo to Citizens for a Quiet Greeley.

TOWNSHIP CRACKS DOWN ON NOISE

Anyone with a malfunctioning muffler or a loud car radio is being put on notice in Woodbridge Township as officials begin a crack down on unnecessary noise, Mayor Frank G. Pelzman announced. Township Police Officers have been instructed to issue summonses to anyone violating the Township's noise code, which prohibits loud, disturbing noise on a street or other public place. "Noise control is a quality of life issue which we take very seriously here in Woodbridge," said the Mayor. "Our residents are entitled to peace and quiet." Those convicted of violating the nuisance ordinance face a maximum $1,000.00 fine and/or maximum 90 days of community service. "Loud mufflers and blaring car radios affect the tranquility of our neighborhoods," said Councilwoman Patricia Osborne. "Excess noise is detrimental to the health, welfare and safety of our residents." Cutting down on noisy radios and mufflers is part of the Township's ongoing effort to address quality of life concerns.

Unfastened seat belt, loud muffler lead to man's arrest

Grove City man and woman stopped in Springboro are accused of faking prescriptions.

By Lawrence Budd

Staff Writer

Friday, July 04, 2008

SPRINGBORO — A loud muffler and unfastened seat belts contributed to the downfall of a Columbus-area man accused of using 40 fake prescriptions to obtain thousands of painkillers in at least five Ohio counties.

Illinois: Village to Seize Cars Over Aftermarket Mufflers

Rossville, Illinois is looking to seize cars that use aftermarket exhaust systems that may be louder than stock.

Automobiles with aftermarket exhaust systems may be seized if they pass through Rossville, Illinois and a police officer thinks the vehicle is making too much noise. The village will also authorize police to grab a vehicle if an unruly passenger "resists" an officer's commands. The ordinance was approved last week over the strong objection of

"If a kid has loud mufflers, give him a ticket; don't take his car," Trustee Dick Queen said, as reported by the News-Gazette newspaper. "I think it's wrong to punish the driver for what a passenger does."

Municipalities in Illinois have taken the lead in generating significant revenue through automobile seizure ordinances. Chicago seizes 25,000 cars every year. Cook County's car grabbing program earns the equivalent of $1.7 million a year.

The jurisdictions have also come up with a number of clever ways to accuse motorists of crimes meriting confiscation. Rockford and Peoria will seize cars with loud stereos. Oak Forest will seize the car of anyone accused of crimes like shoplifting that have nothing whatsoever to do with driving. In all jurisdictions, the seizure takes place upon a mere accusation by police -- not after any finding of guilt in a court of law. Kane County will even keep a confiscated car belonging to a motorist later found innocent.

Source: Vehicle seizure rules passed in Rossville (East Central Illinois News-Gazette, 10/22/2007)

Noise Ordinance Up For Vote

Change May Increase Complaints, Police Said

POSTED: 6:33 pm CDT September 16, 2008

UPDATED: 11:24 pm CDT September 16, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Peace and quiet in Nashville neighborhoods is being voted on Tuesday evening. The city already has an ordinance prohibiting loud noise, but some say it's ineffective.

Video: Council Votes On New Noise Ordinance"I have a problem with people driving up and down the street with music blaring,” said Inglewood resident Millie Washington. “[This] happens more in the summertime."Metro council may make the ordinance more strict and easier to enforce. The current ordinance prohibiting loud noise from mufflers or stereos is getting finely tuned.

Police Blotter

Thursday, August 21, 2008

East Syracuse Police Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle Justin M. Wemett,23, of 211 Ridgewood Drive, North Syracuse, Aug. 9, first-degree; also charged with driving while intoxicated; driving with a blood-alcohol count of more than 0.08; and driving a vehicle with a loud muffler. Charged at 6100 block of Thompson Road, East Syracuse.

Madison County

RACEWAY PARK NOISE REGULATIONS

ALL FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY RACERS READ THIS!

Corredores de los Viernes el la noche y los Sabados en la tarde
FAVOR LEER

Raceway Park has implemented a new sound level policy for Friday Street Night and Saturday muffled racing. The maximum sound level for these days is 90 db from 100 feet away.
NO EXCEPTIONS!
Some suggestions to achieve these desired levels are:

1. The biggest chamber style muffler you can find.
2. Do not use "bullet" style mufflers, Glasspacks, or collector mufflers as they are too loud to meet the desirable level.
3. Use exhaust pipe before and after muffler, tailpipes if possible
We are trying to achieve a "street" sound level. Noise is a problem for many racetracks, it is imperative that all Friday and Saturday competitors adhere to the new rules. There WILL BE NO GRACE PERIOD, if you are too loud you will not race.
Raceway Park is not trying to drive anyone away. The street program is vital to our business and we appreciate you as our customer. These steps are being taken to ensure the future of the street program at Raceway Park.
Please, do not regard this letter as only a request, it is a requirement. Understand this is being done to comply with our current noise regulations. If you want to db test your vehicle, Radio Shack has a meter part number 33-2050 for around thirty dollars. If you do not want to buy the meter or you think your car is quiet enough we will gladly check the decibels at Tech Inspection at no charge, but remember if it is to loud you will not race. The proper settings for the meter are:
� Response slow
� Weighting A scale
� Take the readings from 100 feet from the back of the car under load or when you let the clutch out is should read 90 db or less.
We thank you for your cooperation with this new requirement. Your complete compliance will enable our track to continue operating the Friday Night and Saturday programs for your racing pleasure. Please feel free to call us at (732) 446-7800 should you need any assistance in meeting this requirement. Thank you for your cooperation.
Raceway Park Management

News Release

Councillors Want Noisy Mufflers Outlawed

(Wednesday, May 18/2005)-- Two Councillors representing downtown Districts today called for support of a Bill that would give police more power to deal with the growing problem of loud mufflers on vehicles.

Councillors Dawn Sloane (District 12-Halifax Downtown) and Sue Uteck (District 13-Northwest Arm-South End) urged all members of the Legislature to support a Private Member’s Bill empowering police to take action, through an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act.

The Bill, introduced by Liberal MLA Diana Whalen (Halifax-Clayton Park), would set prescribed acceptable decibel levels for noise emanating from an exhaust system; outlaw mufflers that do not meet these levels; and give police authority to measure decibel levels and to ticket violators.

Councillor Sloane said “It’s getting worse and worse, especially in the summer. I have residents calling me at all hours of the night complaining about noisy motorcycles and vehicles roaring up and down the streets. It’s got to stop and the police need the power to stop it.”

Councillor Uteck said “It’s becoming so bad on Young Avenue and roads leading to Point Pleasant Park that we may have to start closing the park earlier to discourage these noise-makers with their hopped up cars making life miserable for everybody.”

Both Councillors commended MLA Whalen for introducing the Bill and both urged residents to call their MLA, especially those on the government side of the House, to pass this amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act during this session of the Legislature.

–30--

Berwyn Police Blotter

Noise violations

In which someone disturbs the peace by making way too much noise in violation of Berwyn's local noise ordinance. The basic fine is $500 dollars.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

That’s $500 if you’d like to get it back

October 12, 2008, 8:46 AM
Police impounded a green Chevy sedan in the 6800 block of Cermak for violating Berwyn’s noise ordinance. The $500 ticket went to driver Daniel A. Alvarez, 34, of 2913 south 48th Ct., Cicero.
8:59 AM
Police could hear the blasting stereo of a white Chevy van from more than 250 feet away, as it traveled from the 1600 to the 2600 block Harlem. Driver Gerardo Dirzo, 29, of 2242 south Whipple, Chicago was also driving despite having had his license revoked by the state. He was cited for both offenses and the van was impounded.
10:40 AM
Northbound on east, and way too loud, was a Buick sedan. Police stopped it at 16th and East; the car had a large amplifier and two large speakers installed. It was impounded, and a $500 ticket was issued to driver Rafael Juarez, 19, of 2114 Gunderson.
10:50 AM
A Mercury Marquis was impounded after a stop for noise—heard more than 150 feet from the car—in the 6600 block of Cermak. The ticket went to driver Luis Gomez, 23, of 1915 59th Avenue, Cicero.

Welcome to Citizens Against Noise (CAN)

Neighbor noise problems »

Loud mufflers

This is the start of a data base for the license numbers of vehicles with loud and/or illegally modified exhaust systems.

To add a vehicle, please comment on this posting.

Please record (in order of importance)
1) The license number
2) The location
3) The Date and Time
4) A description of the vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, model, color, whatever you can get)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 16th, 2006 at 11:24 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

25 Responses to “Loud mufflers”

hawaiica Says:
August 16th, 2006 at 9:41 am
License AX 655
Kal Hwy at about Hind Dr
2006 August 12
Grey Acura Integra
Traveler Says:
August 16th, 2006 at 5:53 pm
HUX 449
Kalaniana’ole Highway
Car
Aug 13, 2006
Anon Says:
August 22nd, 2006 at 1:44 pm
License GED YUP
Kaiea Place, Waialua
Times & Dates Vary, Usually weekends after 8:00 am
Yellow Ford Mustang w/”Night Mare” written on sides
Ray Says:
August 24th, 2006 at 8:50 pm
License JZA 441, dark colored Honda?, 6 pm, heading Ewa on Beretania St. near Punchbowl. Modified muffler/tailpipe assembly with onboard boombox and white custom rims–a boombox on wheels that makes it impossible to enjoy my CD of a Dvorak quartet without rolling up the windows.
gigichan Says:
August 28th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
license GTP 371 Black Prelude Makaloa Loud muffler 8am
lisense NST180 dark blue Scion Makaloa Loud Muffler boom box 10am
lisense CJJ 655 Blue Nissan Loud muffler
lisence CN488 Black lexus loud muffler
all these cars and many other belong to student at Heald College and they constantly make noise all day long
Larry Says:
September 4th, 2006 at 8:10 am
From time to time a number of bloggers have tried publishing license plates (or even pictures) of cars doing illegal things, but they stop when the retaliation sets in. Please be careful. Working to reduce noise is very important, but those noisy folks may not stop at breaking eardrums.

And one has to ask if listing up license plate numbers will make them quit making noise. Probably not. They know what they are doing and want to continue doing it.
gigichan Says:
September 11th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
license NST 180 BLUE SCION
NUNEROUS OTHERS ON AMANA ST
gigichan Says:
September 12th, 2006 at 10:25 am
CG218 RED ACURA LOUD MUFFLER
runkailua Says:
September 25th, 2006 at 10:53 am
What about motorized scooters?
Cliff Says:
September 25th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
Motorized scooters were made illegal under a law signed in 2003 (I think that is the correct date) by Mayor Harris. Call 911 and report them. For best success, follow the kid home and give his address to the police.
What a dick Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 4:50 pm
Motorized scooters were made illegal under a law signed in 2003 (I think that is the correct date) by Mayor Harris. Call 911 and report them. For best success, follow the kid home and give his address to the police.
funny Says:
November 6th, 2006 at 9:44 am
Concerned

“I promise to change the muffler on my Harley-Davidson the very moment you fools in your cars start seeing me and not turning into or in front of me while I ride.
Thank you.”

obviously your loud exhaust is not helping you to be noticed. get it… More important things... Says:
November 6th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
George Says:
November 6th, 2006 at 7:22 pm
license plate

URG AYE
1997 Honda Faggot

RTRDED
2004 Hawaiian Can

TCH@NITE
1986 Nissan Gaye

JDM 1337
2002
Cliff Says:
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:55 pm
license NATX, Green Mustang GT, Ala Moana mall

license 615XGC, Black Yamaha Motorcycle

And we save the best for last!

Friday, August 03, 2007

The U.S. Census reported that the #1 people move is because of noise. Not crime, not climate.... noise. After living there thirty years, a member of my family recently moved from his once-quiet, middle class neighborhood because the police were unwilling to enforce the noise law and stop the obnoxious boom cars. Along with that element came drugs and crime. Where once proud homeowners kept neat lawns and watched their kids ride their bikes is now a decaying, crime-infested neighborhood with abandoned houses that nobody wants.

The city's fines for noise infractions are ridiculously low and some of the thugs with boom cars actually laminate their citations and hang them from their rear view mirror. Obviously, there is no deterrant and the paltry fines make it economically unfeasible to enforce this law. This is typical of most cities and states, but not all (http://www.noiseoff.org/mississippi.shtml). If our elected officials would stop rearranging chairs on the Titanic, and realize the socio-economic ramifications of lax noise law enforcement, they could stop these contemptuous, inconsiderate morons who are ruining neighborhoods, whole sections of cities, and even whole towns.

Respectable, hard-working tax payers should complain, but they are either afraid of retribution or feel it won't do any good. They are correct that it won't do any good to complain to the police. The police are told what to do by the city council and mayor, so that's where the complaints must be lodged. As far as most law enforcement is concerned, noise is a non issue. They can't be expected to realize what is happening, but our elected "leaders" should. When tax paying citizens flee an area because of noise, that tax base is gone for good. Those people ain't coming back and neither is their tax revenue. In their place we get more of the ignorant, obnoxious thugs who's only achievments are making noise and selling drugs.

It's happening all over America, and probably in your town too. Do you hear those boom cars playing their vulgar rap music that invades your privacy, and offends your sense of values? Do you hear the semis and Harleys with straight pipes that rattle your windows? Do you hear the rednecks with burned out Flowmaster mufflers, 4" tail pipes and deer hunting decals all over the back window? Well, if you don't hear them, consider yourself fortunate. For the rest of us, it's becoming all too familiar. The only people who like this noise are the ones making it, and the "wannabes" who will follow their lead, knowing they can thumb their nose at our laws. Is this the element of our society you want to be in control? Well, wake up because their numbers are growing rapidly.

If you don't complain, it will only get worse. Call your city councilperson, mayor or police chief. Write your state legislators a letter telling them we've had enough. We want the noise laws strengthened and ENFORCED!

Posted by Will I. Mock at 1:09 PM 4 comments

Labels: Coming to your town soon.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

OK, I'm sitting here on Sunday morning, editing my third letter to our mayor concerning the prolific, illegal exhaust noise in our town. I've pointed out the social implications of letting this undesirable element continue to contemptuously defy our noise laws, but I think that went right over his head. So my third letter is illustrating the revenue-generating potential of citing these morons with the loud pipes who are contemptuously thumbing their noses at our noise ordinance . The city is always complaining about how broke it is, so here's a way to make some money off of these jerks with loud pipes.

Almost without exception, if you can hear a vehicle's exhaust at all, it's been illegally modified to make more noise. Federal regulations dictate strict noise emmision levels on all new vehicles. During the last hour, I've heard about fifty vehicles out on the highway with illegal exhausts. Motorcycles, SUVs, semis... all with either straight pipes or non-street legal mufflers. When did illegal exhausts become legal anyway? I've contacted our Department of Public Safety, asking why the State Troopers don't cite vehicles with blatantly illegal exhausts. The head of the department replied that "noise is subjective, and they have to measure it to enforce the law... blah, blah, blah" Oh yeah? Since when? I cited our state code that says "ALL vechicles must AT ALL TIMES, have a properly functioning muffler" and removal of baffles, etc. is expressly forbidden. I pretty much called B.S. on his reply and asked him to show me the law that says noise has to be measured to be deemed a nuisance. Sorry, but there's nothing subjective about a jake-braking semi or straight-piped Harley that can be heard a mile away. I got no further response from that public official. Twice I've written to the state Director of the D.O.T. asking why commercial semis with straight pipes are allowed to pass their inspections, in direct violation of state law. No reply.

It's encouraging to see sites like noisefree.org. They are telling all you citizens out there that the law is being broken. Telling you wimps to get off your collective, complacent butts and start complaining. Call or write your city councilman and other elected representitives. Speak up. Tell them you've had enough. Enough of the bad-boy bikers claiming that "loud pipes save lives." What a crock. Loud pipes are nothing more than the look-at-me behavior one expects from a five year old.

Ever notice how it's always the truckers without mufflers who needlessly jake-brake through town, taking every possible opportunity to show us how much noise they can make. These ignorant rednecks delight in rattling our windows with their juvenile behavior... much like a squalling toddler. It's all these degenerates have to offer society, so they cram it down our throats.. and ears. What's scary is that these people reproduce.

Green Bay considers ordinance to clamp down on loud mufflers

Massachusetts introduces bill to ban modified exhausts

New Florida law would grant cops right to impound cars playing loud music

Loud Mufflers Again!