Pump up the volume, pay more
St. John raises fine from $25 to $200
Friday, August 27, 2004
By Lolly BoweanRiver Parishes bureau

Like longtime "old-school" rapper Rakim, LaPlace resident Paul Santangelo said he likes to "move the crowd" with his sounds. To do that, Santangelo installed 14 12-inch speakers in his 1988 Hyundai Excel. The car had enough wattage and equipment that his music could be heard blocks away, he said. "Some people want a fast car," Santangelo said. "Some people want a loud car. I started doing it and then I really got into it." But the St. John the Baptist Parish Council recently passed a law that may make residents such as Santangelo turn the volume down.

Starting Sept. 6, residents who are ticketed for playing their music too loud in their cars and homes face a $200 fine. The Parish Council unanimously agreed to increase the fine from $25, hoping that the stiffer penalty will ultimately increase the peace. The $25 was "a nuisance," said Council Chairman Joel McTopy, who suggested increasing the fine. "These amps and systems cost thousands of dollars. Twenty-five dollars will not keep them from blasting their music; in fact, they laugh at that fine."

McTopy said he decided to increase the fine after a former Sheriff's Office deputy told him the current law, which dates back to 1988, was ineffective because the fine was too low. Though the law applies to loud noise coming from any source, the problems mostly stem from drivers with loud stereo systems that disturb residents, Councilman Steve Lee said. "I've not gotten any complaints from household to household," he said. "It's the cars. It's the loud music with the heavy bass and the profane language. It's clearly a nuisance and it's coming from vehicles on our local streets."

St. John sheriff's deputies typically issue tickets for loud music when they hear it while on regular patrol. When residents complain about noise from bars or businesses, deputies use a decimeter to measure the sound before issuing a court summons, said Capt. Mike Tregre of the Sheriff's Office. "With cars, if we can hear them and the officer observes it, we cite them," he said. "The majority of complaints come for vehicles, not buildings."

According to the parish ordinance, radios and musical instruments are considered too loud when the sound is plainly audible from 25 feet. It is unlawful to play the radio or TV too loudly between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. in parish recreational areas. But when enforcing the law, deputies use their own discretion to determine what is in violation, Tregre said. Deputies have never arrested anyone for violating the noise ordinance, Tregre said. And although the Sheriff's Office does not have statistics on how many noise citations are issued, such tickets are handed out each day, Tregre said.

"If the officer can hear you, they will cite you and you'll have your day in court," he said. "On routine patrol, when we come across violators we stop and cite them." Tregre said the increased fine should be enough to keep some people quiet. "A $25 fine mattered to some people," he said. "But the $200 fine is substantial. A $200 fine should entice some people to turn the music down."

After a brief discussion Tuesday night, the council agreed to increase the fine. "Noise is a problem and it's a health issue," McTopy said. "People are concerned about it. If it is you who they are keeping up at night and your house windows are rattling, I don't think you would be happy."

For Santangelo, playing loud music at his home wasn't much of a thrill. He said he got into it to win competitions sponsored by audio stores and companies. In fact, he thinks pumping up the volume is what attracted a group of thieves to break into his car and steal his equipment a few years ago. "I never got a violation for playing it too loud," he said. "If you turn it up, you are just advertising for people to steal it. It's the young kids who want the car that has more boom."

And although he doesn't blast the bass anymore, he hopes deputies use their discretion when they enforce the law. Though loud music is unacceptable in residential areas at certain times, there should be places where music lovers can crank up their music, Santangelo said.
"People will always play their music loud; a new law won't matter," he said. "They should be able to play it if they are at the lake hanging out or somewhere where it's OK. But if they are in a residential neighborhood, I guess it's ticket time."

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Lolly Bowean can be reached at lbowean@timespicayune.com or (985) 652-0952.