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Highlands Today

AP May Increase Noise Penalties

Citizen, Councilwoman Say Noise Ordinances "Lack Teeth"

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By Douglas  Carman | Highlands Today

Published: May 27, 2008

AVON PARK - The city council heard some noise from a resident complaining about people blasting their stereos all over the city, and agreed that the existing noise ordinance wasn't enough to mute them.

The council asked City Attorney Gerald Buhr and Police Chief Matthew Doughney to figure a way to increase the penalties for playing loud music, after Charles Devlin said that he could hear them across Lake Tulane most weekends.

"Every single night without exceptions you hear loud music," Devlin told the council.

Florida has a statewide noise law that gives a $74.50 non-criminal citation when someone's stereo can be heard more than 25 feet from his or her car.

Devlin believed this was not enough. Despite the department's tightening enforcement, he said the people haven't turned their stereos down. He drove through the city one day and was able to hear loud music all over South Delaney Avenue.

Doughney said the statute used to penalize the offenders doesn't stick any lingering penalty once the fine is paid. Councilwoman Brenda Gray had her own complaints after hearing that, as she described one man she reported several times for blasting his speakers up.

"He got tickets every day," Gray said, yet he never stopped.

Councilman Al Joe Hinson suggested that the city could impound cars for noise violations. Sarasota passed a similar law earlier this month.

Check back for updates.

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