Community Policing Effort Reduces Traffic Noise in Fall River, Massachusetts
PUBLICATION: Providence Journal-Bulletin
DATE: August 18, 1998
SECTION: News, Pg. 1C
BYLINE: Julie Goodman
DATELINE: Fall River, Massachusetts
ACTIVISTS, INDIVIDUALS, AND GROUPS MENTIONED: Audrey Poitras, Niagara Neighborhood Association

The Providence Journal-Bulletin describes a community policing effort to eradicate blaring car stereos, loud mufflers, roaring motorcycles, and other traffic nuisances from a cruising strip in Fall River, Massachusetts.

The story describes how cyclist Steven Gagne has to pay a $50 ticket for the loud roar of his Harley-Davidson, called "Highly Dangerous." Gagne is quoted saying, "It used to be America," as the officer measured the decibel level. According to the article officers use a hand-held decibel meter in an area with no obstructions within a 16-foot radius. Cyclists whose bikes exceed high noise levels get ticketed.

Officer Gary Furtado is quoted in the article saying, "People are trying to eat, put their kids to bed, and all they hear is stereos and exhaust." The article describes him pointing to two Harley-Davidsons and saying, "That's a perfect example of why we're out here. You're trying to have supper or something and those two are at a light or zipping by. It's a nuisance."

The enforcement effort focuses on a mile-and-a-half stretch of homes, fast-food joints and sit-down restaurants that has historically been the cruising strip for Fall River's restless teenagers and roaming adults. Ticketing of motorcyclists began last year, while automobile citations began three summers ago. According to the article the Police Department issued more than 1,100 citations last summer, and ticketed more than 600 so far this summer.

Motorists with loud stereo systems are also targeted. Sgt Keven Tetrault is noted saying, "They're cruising all the time. If they're going to cruise, keep their radios down, they won't be bothered." One problem has been the use of "kickers," or the large speakers that motorists prop up in the back of cars to amplify music. "Some of them go to extremes. They take out the rear seat and put these big bass speakers in," the article said quoting Lt. Stephen Ramos. "It's not the fault of technology, it's just today, they can put the equivalent of a home stereo system in their car."

According to the article officers report that most offenders are cooperative when pulled over but some try to remove the detachable faces off their radios and ask officers if they are sure they have the right car. Other motorists have reportedly argued that because their stereo products were "factory bought," it shouldn't be illegal to put the volume up to their greatest capacity.

Neighbors were reportedly responsible for prompting the police to initiate the enforcement effort. Audrey Poitras heads the Niagara Neighborhood Association and is one of the neighbors who got the enforcement practices in motion. Neighbors, the article said, feel the barrage of noises compromises the quality of life.

Poitras is quoted saying, "In the summer, it gets horrendous on the avenue. People actually move out of the avenue because it's just so noisy between motorcycles and cars going up and down tooting their horns and just yelling and screaming." The routine continues from around 9 p.m. to midnight every night, with activity increasing on the weekends. "You can see the same cars over and over, cars of kids," the article noted, continuing its quote from Poitras. But since the police started initiating citations, Poitras says her summers have been quieter.