An Athens Police crackdown on partiers at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year brought a more than 1,300 percent increase in noise citations compared to the same time period in 2009.
Between Sept. 1 and Oct. 12, noise citations increased 1,340 percent from 2009 to 2010. In 2009, Athens Police issued five citations during the time period, compared to the 67 issued in 2010, according to Post research. Eight citations were distributed in 2008 from Sept. 1 to Oct. 12.
The increase in noise citations began after Athens Police Capt. Tom Pyle announced a new policy tacked onto the current noise ordinance to keep partygoers under control in August.
Between Sept. 1 and Nov. 8, a total of 86 citations were given, according to the most recent Athens Police records.
Athens Police Chief Rick Mayer cited an increase in calls regarding loud noise this quarter compared to previous years as a reason the number of warnings and citations has increased.
(The new policy) is based on our experience during the fests last spring
Mayer said.
The policy allows officers to approach properties for noise violations based on their discretion after 10 p.m. on weekdays and after midnight on weekends, even without receiving a complaint.
For other hours during day, noise enforcement remains complaint-based, Mayer said. Noise that can be heard beyond the property line or 50 feet from the source can be cited.
Under the policy, noise penalties also remain the same. Cited first offenders are fined $100. Second or repeat offenders are fined $250 and could spend up to 30 days in jail.
Proposed Noise Ordinance Changes
Last school year, Athens City Council began deliberating the details of a new ordinance that would make the current noise ordinance stricter in an attempt to keep parties under control.
The proposed ordinance stated that noise should not be heard between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.
Violators of the new proposed ordinance would face a fine of anywhere from $500 to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail, according to the new version of the ordinance.
The proposed ordinance also would allow residents two noise violation warnings per quarter before they are cited.
Although the Athens Police policy is always enforced, City Council has the power to suspend it for certain events, such as the Halloween Block Party, Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl said.
City Council waited to vote on the new proposed ordinance until students were back in school this year, but then decided to table the ordinance until it was determined whether the Athens Police policy worked.
Student Reaction
Though the new policy has caused some anger among Ohio University students, Mayer said he does not foresee a problem.
I have seen a couple individuals with negative responses Mayer said, adding that he does not think there is much to their argument.
A Facebook event entitled Noise Ordinance Enforcement: Tell Us Your Story! was started by members of OU's Student Senate and has gained over 650 followers. Many students have posted their negative responses and annoyance with the new policy.
Sean Langham, a junior studying physical science education, had a party at his North Congress Street residence shut down the first weekend of fall quarter this year.
At about 12:05 a.m., Athens Police gave Langham and his roommate a warning for unnecessary noise, Langham said.
During the third weekend of the quarter, officers came to Langham's house again because the music coming from inside his house could be heard from the street, he said, adding that his roommate was cited for unnecessary noise.
Although officers only cite one person who lives at the residence at the time of the citation, they informed Langham and his roommate that if they had to return, the whole house would be cited, he said.
At first (the citation) seemed ridiculous Langham said. (But now) we're being more responsible and turning down our music.
Although the new policy has caused some complaints among those cited, students are aware of the law and should know the noise limits, Wiehl said.
To spread the word about the new noise policy to students and residents, officers are distributing brochures at parties after shutting them down, Mayer said.
Controlling unnecessary noise is important to the city because it affects the quality of life in Athens' neighborhoods, Wiehl said.
Noise has a negative impact on neighborhoods
Mayer said, adding that if as many acts of vandalism were committed, there would be a large outcry for action.
(The new policy) is an attack on noise in general
not just on students
Wiehl said.
Of the 86 citations given between Sept. 1 and Nov. 8, 77 were given to students and one was given to the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. This number does not account for name misspellings on police reports and the OU Student directory.
Even though Langham was not happy about the citation, he and his roommate have adjusted their parties in compliance with the policy.
Students should learn how to deal
he said, adding that he feels the policy is fair.
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Marika Lee
