HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB2-Noise rules i
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
• •
oise rulus ive
control to police
CATHEDRAL CITY: Officers
can issue citations. PEACE AND QUIET
Complaining neighbors RULES
remain anonymous. NOISE CAN'T carry across
BY STEVE MOORE property lines.
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE SOUND CAN'T be heard for 50
CATHEDRAL CITY — Police are feet in any direction between
using a new tool for quieting 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. and for
loud parties that keep people 25 feet between 10 p.m.to
awake: 8 a.m.
Officers can issue citations. PROHIBITS ANY"unreasonably
And complaining neighbors can y
stay anonymous. loud, unnecessary or unusual
It wasn't always that easy. noise that disturbs the comfort,
Cathedral City recently gave repose, health, peace and quiet
officers more authority about or which causes discomfort or
curbing noise. annoyance to any reasonable
Police say new rules could
mean more peace and quiet— person of normal sensitivity,"especially on hard-partying POLICE MAY CONFISCATE
weekend nights. sound equipment as evidence —
A first offense fine costs$250 vehicle and home—with written
and a fourth and subsequent notice and after a second
offenses — within a year — violation within a 72-hour period.
bring$1,000 fines. Owners may file a written
Repeat offenders could see days re uest within seven
their equipment confiscated as q
evidence—with written notice. seeking return of the items.
In early February, Cathedral Vehicles may be impounded if
City updated its noise ordi- equipment can't be easily
nance. removed.
Before, officers found them-
selves politely asking revelers
to"turn it down"—counting on Officer Brian Barkley cruised
the badge and good intentions. the Dream Homes and several
"Most residents are con- streets south of Ramon Road—
cerned about their neighbor's his window down listening for
peace," said Capt. Kevin Con- anything disturbing the peace.
ner. But no loud party calls came
"They don't want to deliber- over the police radio until al-
ately disturb it at night." most 11 p.m.
But when police left, party- Then,a neighbor called from
goers often cranked things along Roundup Road.
right back up. More calls came On this evening, several men f
in and officers went back out. stood on the driveway chatting
They quickly faced a dilemma with the door of a pickup open
upon arriving. and the radio blasting.
Officers needed a signed com- Barkley signaled about turn-
plaint from someone willing to ing the music down.
go to court, if necessary. But His warning to them:
people prefer remaining anony- "Here's the deal, there's a
mous when snitching about new law that went into effect....
people next door. It says no music can be coming
Under the old rules, police from a vehicle, a house, any-
could also issue another warn- thing like that.
ing and look for some other A neighbor doesn't have to
violation like drinking in public complain,we can be driving by
as a way of quelling the party- and hear it. In this case, a
ing. neighbor happens to be com-
"People wanted something plaining.
done," Conner said. "And we "And that's why I'm out here
wanted to help them." today.I want you to understand
"But our hands were often that if we come back out again,
tied." you're going to get a ticket.
No longer. "Tonight is your last freebie
Now, police using their own warning.
judgment and certain criteria "So keep it down, I under-
will issue citations—with fines stand you guys are just out here
—on behalf of the public. trying to have fun and that sort
The factors include whether of thing.
noise is occurring at night or "But unfortunately that's dis-
during the day,how long it lasts turbing people's peace and
and whether it's constant or . that's why this law was passed."
intermittent. Mario Perez, visiting his
Cathedral City police, along cousin, says his friends will go
with law enforcement agencies inside and keep it down.
throughout the Inland area, "That's fine,"he says.
ing and Iook- or some other A neig or oesn ave to
violation like drinking in public complain,we can be driving by
as a way of quelling the party- and hear it. In this case, a
ing. neighbor happens to be com-
"People wanted something plaining.
done," Conner said. "And we "And that's why I'm out here
wanted to help them." today.I want you to understand
"But our hands were often that if we come back out again,
tied." you're going to get a ticket.
No longer. "Tonight is your last freebie
Now, police using their own warning.
judgment and certain criteria "So keep it down, I under-
will issue citations—with fines stand you guys are just out here
—on behalf of the public. trying to have fun and that sort
The factors include whether of thing.
noise is occurring at night or "But unfortunately that's dis-
during the day,how long it lasts turbing people's peace and
and whether it's constant or . that's why this law was passed."
intermittent. Mario Perez, visiting his
Cathedral City police, along cousin, says his friends will go
with law enforcement agencies inside and keep it down.
throughout the Inland area, "That's fine,"he says.
spend precious patrol time an- Barkley says he will give
swering loud music and party warnings first — if people are
calls. cooperative — because the
On a recent Saturday night, noise rules are new.
Cathedral City police handled But if that approach fails,
about 20 such incidents. "We'll be more than happy to
In 2005, the department re- enforce the law and give them a
sponded to nearly 1,100 loud citation."
noise calls. Reach Steve Moore at 760-837-4417 or
01 a recent --Fyiday night, stevemoore@PE.com