It is Time for Some Noise Control
Like me, I’m certain anyone reading this article and living in South Park has been rudely awakened from a deep sleep by a loudly mufflered vehicle showcasing the manliness of its driver. This practice seems to be growing in popularity as the canyon-like aspects of high-rise architecture tend to amplify the noise and sensory stimulation of the perpetrators.
One recent night, well past midnight, I witnessed an individual seemingly driving around the block in front of my apartment for over half an hour and attempting to cause the greatest disturbance possible with his Dodge Challenger. If his goal was to make me angry, he certainly succeeded.
The maximum allowable dBA for most passenger motor vehicles in Downtown Los Angeles, as regulated by the California Vehicle Code, is 95 dBA. In addition to the state vehicle code, the LAMC (Los Angeles Municipal Code) contains general nuisance provisions that apply in Downtown LA, which is a mixed-use area:
LAMC Section 116.01 broadly prohibits any "loud, unnecessary, and unusual noise" that disturbs the peace of the neighborhood or causes annoyance to a reasonable person.
While not specific to vehicle movement on public streets, the city has general noise guidelines where exterior noise levels above 65 to 70 dBA are generally considered a threshold for residential areas. Generally, most city ordinances in the U.S. place the maximum dBA allowable at 85.
It is important to note that in LA, while the specific decibel limit is 95 dBA, a police officer can still issue a citation based on their judgment of "excessive or unusual noise" under CVC 27150.
Reports are flooding in from cities large and small that people have reached the end of patience with excessively loud vehicle mufflers – whether “stock” or illegally modified – and are initiating aggressive control measures which more and more include the installation of “noise-cameras.” New York City reigns as the U.S. noise-camera epicenter. It operates in partnership with U.K.-based Intelligent Instruments, whose SoundVue cameras film and pinpoint the offending vehicle even when other vehicles are present. Fines are $800. for a first violation, $1,700 for a second, and $2,500 for a third. The city has issued more than 2,500 tickets since 2021. New York City’s violation threshold is 85 dBA.
In last month’s SPNA Scene I presented the argument for the need for speed cameras on major arteries in South Park. It is time to pay attention to noise as well as speed. By making a conscious effort to correct noise violations along with speed violations we can go a long way toward improving the safety and quality of life in our neighborhood. Follow through will require a moderate cost in installing speed and noise cameras but the process becomes almost automatic after installation. . This effort will require participation and leadership from the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department as well as an active community support base. We need to make a little noise to make something happen!
A MODEST PROPOSAL: If you agree that we desperately need speed cameras and noise cameras here in South Park, sit down now and write an email to my attention (John Nilsson) spnadtla@gmail.com concurring. I will compile your message with others I receive and take the results directly to Council District 14, LA City Council, LAPD, DTLA RA, and the Social District Bid and call for action on this matter. I am happy to act as your Ombudsman to get something done and will report back to you any progress made. Thank you in advance for your participation. Let’s get this done!
By John Nilsson