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Caroline revisiting noise law
Officials eye changes to Caroline's noise ordinance; last attempt was in 2004Date published: 7/27/2008 A Caroline County resident recently knocked on Supervisor Maxie Rozell's door about 11:30 at night with a complaint. Rozell said the woman wanted him to hear firsthand the music blaring from a party. He said he could hear it from two miles away. Rozell's experience comes as county officials revisit a 21-year-old noise ordinance some say is unenforceable. The current law calls for sheriff's deputies to use handheld sound-level meters to determine whether noise is excessive. Sheriff Tony Lippa said Friday that the meters aren't the answer to dealing with noise complaints. When asked if deputies use them, the sheriff called the devices ineffective because they pick up sounds other than the noise being targeted. "Do you really need a decimeter to say it's loud or annoying?" he asked. Lippa said he and county staff are looking to other counties, such as neighboring King George, for direction on forming a new policy. King George County officials last year passed an ordinance under which deputies essentially use their discretion instead of technology to determine noise violations. Exemptions to that law include the lawful discharge of firearms, noise from public celebrations, the production of agricultural products and emergency vehicles. In 2004 the Caroline Board of Supervisors took up an amended ordinance to ditch sound meters, but it failed. Board Chairman Floyd Thomas said the public didn't support the 2004 proposal, which was initiated after complaints of barking dogs. Supervisors last week said they should revisit the issue for several reasons, including residents' complaints about gunshots after 10 p.m. and loud late-night parties. "Having extremely loud parties until 1 a.m. in the morning right next to families with young children or senior citizens" is a problem, Rozell said. "That peace and tranquility--they've lost it." Supervisor Bobby Popowicz, who was not on the board in 2004, said he has received isolated reports of excessive noise, but they've affected a lot of people. "We need to find a balance of not overstepping bounds as far as property rights, but make sure to protect citizens," Popowicz said. Lippa said population growth has contributed to the need for a change. As more houses, townhouses and apartments are built closer together, he wants to make sure "everyone can live within the guidelines." Supervisors have not set a date to discuss the ordinance. Corey Byers: 540/735-1976
Read more stories about Caroline Date published: 7/27/2008
County doesnn't have its own Sound meters
(posted by
WoodinVirginia
, July 29, 2008 8:30 am)
How do you enforce the current law Lippa when your department doesn't have any certified Sound meters ?
County needs not to revisit the law but ENFORCE the current law. Residents should all adhere to the current decible reading or go rent a social hall for your activities !
Last Time LIppa said he had to use a meter from Spotsylvania because Caroline didn't have any !
How do you enforce the law if you don't have the equipment ?
lippa
(posted by
billmoney
, July 27, 2008 12:03 pm)
How long has lippa been in office?It took him this long to figure out that loud parties and other noise complaints are a problem?What a joke...
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