Hello everyone,
Evelyn here,
Yesterday, I attempted to post a message from NoiseOFF about the success on Sarasota getting a new ordinance that allows their police officers to impound boom cars. The message was twenty one pages as an email and four entries long on this site. It didn’t quite fit. However, software and web programs being unpredictable at times the posts went a little haywire.
Nevertheless, I and many other NoiseOFF members have joined to congratulate Sarasota on passing the new ordinances, which will help to stop and keep all boom car drivers silence. We on the Pinellas side of the Bay have added to our prayers to the hope that our officials will soon see the wisdom of passing such an ordinance here.
In steady is a message from Roger Drouim on just what breaking Sarasota new law will mean to those who have not quite gotten the idea that their loud motorized boom boxes are not welcome.
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CITY TO TOW VEHICLES AND FINE DRIVERS FOR LOUD MUSIC
By Roger Drouin
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.
SARASOTA - This is the most costly place in Florida to blast your stereo, with
a
new law that gives police the authority to impound cars if they can hear the
tunes from 25 feet away.
City commissioners also decided against letting first-time violators off with a
warning, after Police Chief Peter Abbott told them that maintaining a database
of warnings would be nearly impossible.
Instead, first-time offenders face a $74 fine for violating the city's noise
ordinance, and a $125 towing fee to get their vehicles out of the impound yard.
The law, approved by commissioners on a 3-2 vote, goes into effect immediately.
But there will be a grace period. For three months, people who break the noise
ordinance will simply be warned about the new impound law, and officers will
not
tow their cars.
Some residents applauded the tougher law.
"We live in a residential neighborhood, and it's all the teenagers with
their
stereos turned loud," said Robert Levine, who lives near the intersection
of
Bahia Vista Street and McIntosh Road. "But it's the bass that is the
problem.
Turned all the wayup: boom, boom, boom."
Levine said the bumping stereos have kept him awake at night, and that the
city's existing noise ordinance is not enough of a deterrent.
Commissioner Fredd Atkins voted against the law, saying it would lead to
discrimination against black residents in his north Sarasota district.
This year, police have issued 16 of 22 noise citations given citywide in the
north Sarasota district that Atkins represents.
"I am trying to figure out why are we trying to impound their cars and put
more
financial strain on these people during the worst economic times," Atkins
said.
"It is excessive and punitive to the group of people already living under
the
strong arm of the law."
People who violate the noise ordinance a second time would have to pay a $250
fine in addition to the $125 impound fees, which increase if a vehicle is not
picked up in a few days by its owner.
Third violations would incur fines of $500 and impound fees.
At Monday's meeting, Police Chief Abbott told commissioners that issuing $74
citations for loud stereos has not worked to get people to turn down the
volume,
and he thinks towing their cars will finally get the attention of repeat
offenders.
"We gave over 200 tickets last year and the problem hasn't abated,"
Abbott said.
"If the tools we had worked, we wouldn't have an issue here."
Commissioner Kelly Kirschner had voted for the new law when it included a
warning for first-time violators.
After that provision was dropped, he voted against it.
Sarasota is one of several cities to tow cars for misdemeanor offenses and the
only city in Florida to impound cars for loud stereos.
Kirschner said he is worried the ordinance will open the door to lawsuits
against the city.
"I have a problem with Sarasota being the guinea pig on this one,"
Kirschner
said.
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News video of Sarasota being allow to impoundment of loud cars
http://www.wwsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=8349239
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Evelyn out.
