Questions Posted to "Ask a Dispatcher"
Q. Below is a short article posted online today @ JuneauEmpire.com. Can't JPD cite similarly? I think we all know of an instance when some kid's car stereo is just TOO loud! I know there's some ordinance about stereo noise only being enforceable after a certain hour, but excessive stereo noise in general shouldn't be tolerated. It intrudes upon other people's peace & quiet!! Can't someone do something?! If Fairbanks can, why can't Juneau?
Officer fines drivers who pump up the volume
Story last updated at 5/18/2010 - 11:18 am
The Associated Press
FAIRBANKS – A Fairbanks patrol officer has issued roughly a dozen citations in the past two weeks to motorists with loud stereo systems.
Officer Josh Lambert says he doesn’t mind loud music, but there comes a point where drivers with “ridiculously loud” stereos become a nuisance. And those drivers will be ticketed for breaking city code.
Lambert acknowledges that he’s probably one of the only officers who enforces the noise law. He says different cops have different styles.
The fine is $50 for a first offense, $300 for a second offense within six months of the first and $1,000 for a third violation if it’s within one year of the first.
Dear Juneau Resident,
Those of us living near main roads share your pain. The CBJ ordinance that can be applied to this situation is 42.20.095 (c) and has a $300 fine. The restriction JPD officers face is the violation has to happen between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m.. Officers have to hear the music or other noise 30 feet away from the vehicle between those hours. A citation can also be written if a citizen will provide information that he or she witnessed the violation and will testify in place of the officer. The officer still has to do enough investigation to confirm to a reasonable degree that the violation happened.
It is a presumption under the ordinance that the owner of the vehicle is responsible for the noise and is on the hook even if a teenager is driving.
