"Operation Thump Shaker" - eight vehicles impounded

"Operation Thump Shaker" - eight vehicles impounded

Cops seize vehicles over loud stereos

Tribune staff report

Published May 25, 2006, 2:16 PM CDT

A crackdown on loud car stereos this week near two schools in west suburban

Aurora resulted in 12 noise citations issued and eight vehicles impounded,

police said.

"Operation Thump Shaker" took place from roughly 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

near West Aurora High School and Aurora University, where police said they

have received frequent noise complaints.

Officers wrote citations citing motorists for the illegal use of sound

amplification devices. The law applies to drivers whose stereos can be heard

more than 75 feet from their vehicles.

Since the beginning of the year, police have written 90 tickets for

violating the noise ordinance, authorities said. The majority of citations

were issued since the arrival of warmer weather in April, and most resulted

in vehicle seizures.

More than 500 noise citations were issued last year.

An offender whose vehicle is taken faces a $250 impound fee, a tow charge

ranging from $100 to $130, and possible storage and vehicle release fees,

police said.

Past enforcement also has resulted in arrests for outstanding warrants and

driver's license and insurance violations. During Wednesday's crackdown, one

person was arrested for driving without a driver's license, police said.