Athens Police Department has now begun enforcing the city's noise ordinance on an on-sight basis during certain hours, rather than first waiting for complaints.
Under the new policy, officers will approach properties for noise violations based on their discretion after 10 p.m. on weekdays and after midnight on weekends without receiving a complaint, Athens Police Capt. Tom Pyle said. Pyle first announced the change in policy at a news conference Aug. 25.
For other hours of the day, noise enforcement will remain complaint-based, he said. The noise limit of beyond the property line or 50 feet from the source will remain the same as the current ordinance.
The penalties are also the same, which includes up to $100 in fines for a first-time offender and $250 and 30 days in jail for repeat offenders, according to Athens city code.
Student residents have already noticed an increase in police vigilance this fall.
Zach Yost, a senior studying education who lives at 51 Mill St., said he received a noise warning on Sept. 2, the day he moved back.
I lived here last year
and I got not one noise complaint he said. I can understand for a weekend like move-in weekend but if it's going to be on a weekly basis
that sucks.
Some residents believe the policy is a step in the right direction.
Lisa Carson, a co-chair of the Near Northside Neighborhood Association, said under the old policy, residents often had to go out at night to find the property making noise before they could file a complaint.
Pyle said he hopes the change will allow officers to focus on noisy parties earlier in the night and have more time to police serious disturbances later.
It is selective enforcement because we're looking at a specific issue
he said.
Mayor Paul Wiehl said his goal for the policy is that it proves effective enough that the current noise ordinance can stay in place.
The proposed changes include time limits for noise in residential areas from 9 p.m.-7 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and from 11 p.m.-7 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, according to a previous article in The Post.
Potential violators of the proposed ordinance could face a fine of at least $500 but not exceeding $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail, according to the article.
Wiehl added city officials will wait at least a month with the new policy before deciding whether to amend the noise ordinance.
1
News
Dan Quarfoot
