1	Community Awareness Presentation on
2	The problems associated with boom cars: Are a horrific intrusion into the lives of millions of people Are not understood by most people; even the victims Are not being adequately addressed Require a mutual perspective on the issues in order to find and use an effective solution
3	In this presentation, we discuss: Sound & noise Infrasound Boom car problem issues Solutions & recommendations
4	Sound is: Different than noise Objectively measured Consistently normal, helpful, healthful, and necessary
5	Noise is: Unwanted sound #1 complaint in America! From the same Latin root as ‘nausea’ Damaging to health
6	Decibels (dB)
7	Frequency (Hz) Ultrasound ………………...20,000 Hz (+) Normal hearing .…1,000 - 10,000 Hz (though extremes can run from 20 - 20,000 Hz) Low frequency ……………….500 Hz (-) Infrasound .…………………….20 Hz (-)
8	Measuring Low Frequency Noise
9	Scientific Perspective Extremely powerful sound waves Felt rather than heard Travels along the ground and through objects. (Stops only when fully dissipated.) Natural and man-made sources
10	Natural Perspective Infrasound from Krakatoa shattered windows 1,000 miles away. Whales use infrasound to stun, even burst apart, their prey. Produced by solar flares, jet stream.
11	Health Perspective Can be stimulating in mild levels Effects range from stress to death As hertz decrease, harmful effects increase Leads to vibroacoustic disease (VAD)
12	Effects of Infrasound on Humans Annoyance Increased stress Elevated heart rate/blood pressure Release of adrenaline into blood stream Release of endorphins into brain Giddiness Fatigue Throat pressure Pneumothorax (ruptured lung)
13	Effects of Infrasound on Humans …being forced to feel the vibrations against my will - like I’m being raped. ...pure hatred being directed outward from the source. ...vibrates in my chest and sinuses. ...can’t enjoy peace in my own home. …invasion. …assaulted and I can’t do anything about it.
14	Effects at 1 - 10 Hz Small amplitude increases affect human behavior Intellectual activity inhibited, then blocked, then destroyed Neurological interference occurs Medulla physiologically blocked Autonomic functions cease Death occurs (‘The Sonic Weapon of Vladimer Gavreau,’ by Gerry Vassilatos)
15	The Beast Ford bronco owned by Alma Gates 48,000 watts of power at 175 dB 3” plexi-glass windows Requires operation by remote control. Full, direct exposure = instant death
16	Military Applications Sonic bullets:
17	Elements of the Problem Manufacturers, marketing/lobbying groups Nature of the assault Nature of the assault weapon Mindset of the offenders Current laws/systems vs. new technology Lack of support for victims Difficulty in grasping the whole picture
18	Manufacturers’ Marketing Strategy "Either we love bass, or hate your neighbors” (JBL, Harman Kardon) “Disturb the peace” (Sony) "All new ways to offend.” (Sony) “Performance they’ll hear a mile away” (BoltOn) “Shake the living; wake the dead” (Cerwin Vega) “Cold blooded” (Viper) “Lethal assault” (Lightning Audio) "...Achieving the sound your neighbors fear.” (Sony) "No escape from the hellacious pounding of the sub-woofers and the aggressive in-your-face power” (Directed Electronics Corp) "Put the over forty set into cardiac arrest.“ (Prestige Audio) “Disturb, defy, disrupt, ignite” (Pioneer)
19	The Bully’s Weapon of Choice Is intangible Is disguised as “music,” which is not viewed as a threat. Can be used at long ranges Can be used against mass numbers of innocent people Is as in-your-face as a finger in the chest Can be instantly concealed Has not been viewed historically as a weapon Harms its victims slowly and without detection
20	Boom Cars Cars are on the move. Offenders turn it down when they see patrols. Heard over distances that effect 100s.
21	Boom Car Operators Generation ‘Y’ attitudes. Thoroughly convinced that, since this is America, thy are “free” to do whatever they want. Reluctant to stop harmful, unlawful, or anti-social behaviors unless punishment is severe.
22	Current Legal and System Inadequacies Ordinances based on A-weighted dB scale. Laws are not being enforced. Call center personnel are uninformed.
23	Lack of Support Fearful of retaliation The police won’t or can’t act
24	Grasping the Big Picture Health Home Social Legal Safety
25	Health Aspects Causes physical damage at the cellular level May damage human organs Induces hearing loss Impedes learning and cognitive development processes Evokes hypertension Leads to aggressive behavior Causes stress and sleep loss Leads to depression
26	Home Aspects Boom car noise is a continual offense to homeowners and recreation seekers. Property values decrease in affected areas. Property owners are driven to the point of having to move to other areas of a town or state to find comfort.
27	Legal Aspects Citizens are extremely limited in their autonomy to address this problem (legally). A person who has the right to not listen to this noise is totally unable to escape it. It is often too difficult, if not impossible, to identify the perpetrator of acoustic terrorism due to distances, speed, and physical obstacles, thus preventing the reporting of an offense. Cities across the nation are forced to demand stronger local ordinances and that police enforce them.
28	Social Aspects Boom car equipment manufacturers base their marketing platform on senseless aggression, social agitation, and the destruction of the well- being of decent, tax-paying citizens. Boom car operators are often associated with other types of crimes and gang activity. Boom cars are often used to announce the receipt of a new drug shipment to a neighborhood. Leads to anxiety, aggression, violence, suicide, and murder. Boom car noise simply degrades the quality of life for everyone.
29	Safety Aspects Boom car noise impedes the safety and awareness of motorists, pedestrians, and children. Boom car noise interfere with the motorist's ability to hear and respond to emergency vehicles. Boom car noise DEMANDS your attention and is, at the very least, a continual mental distraction while driving.
30	Positive Effects of Boom Car Noise Lets law enforcement know where to find the criminals. Otherwise -- there is absolutely no redeeming social, spiritual, economic, or ethical value in the emission of repetitious thumping noises and low frequency vibration that can be heard and felt for over half a mile!
31	Grasping the Big Picture Effects of LFN on a developing fetus Decreases in peripheral vision Illegal street racing & bad driving habits of the fast/furious Road rage CDs manufactured solely to emit low frequency tones Vibroacoustic Disease Obscene lyric content of gansta/porno rap Hearing damage Many etceteras
32	Sources for recommended solutions include: U.S. Dept. of Justice COPS Series. Press articles - cities with success. ‘Boom Car Noise’ booklet Internet web sites www.lowertheboom.org www.noisefree.org
33	Recommendations Audible at 50-feet Owner onus Update laws to address technology Use of unmarked cars and bicycles Heavy fines and confiscation penalties Pro-active enforcement
34	What needs to happen now Communicate key information to all law enforcement personnel. Inform community leaders of the problem, its status, and available resources. Provide City Council with law enforcement’s endorsement for new noise control ordinances. Pro-active and firm enforcement of noise ordinances. Implement tried-and-true techniques.
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