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Crank it up and pay: Police cracking down on noise

Mark Randall

Eagle Staff Writer

Friday, May 13, 2005


Dothan Police wrote 41 citations for noise violations in the month of April and are reminding people that just because school is getting out and the warmer weather is here, doesn't mean it's OK to crank up the music or car stereo.

They plan to keep up the pressure on those who blare their car stereos.

Police have already issued seven citations for violating the city's noise ordinance so far in the month of May and expect to see a lot more.

"I anticipate the problem will get worse,"Dothan Police Chief John Powell said. "The kids gets out of school and kids like listening to loud music. So it's going to happen. We will try to enforce this as best we can."

Police began cracking down on loud car stereos after residents around Burdeshaw Street complained to the city commission of the loud noises rocking the neighborhood at all hours of the night.

Under city law it's illegal to play a radio that can be heard 5 feet from a motor vehicle and 10 feet from a pedestrian.

Violators can be fined up to $200.

Powell said he hasn't received any calls recently from any one particular area of Dothan, but calls complaining about noise frequently come into dispatch.

He said police don't plan on letting up either.

"We're going to keep the pressure on,"Powell said. "I think 41 citations is a pretty significant amount. And we're only 12 days into May and we have already issued seven."

Eagle staff writer Mark Randall can be reached at 712-7961 or by e-mail at mrandall@dothaneagle.com