Elkhart noise ordinance gets stiffer Save Email Print
Posted: 7:08 PM Jul 8, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:08 PM Jul 8, 2008
 Reporter: Stephanie Stang
Email Address: stephanie.stang@wndu.com
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A stiffer city ordinance in Elkhart may be "music" to some people's ears.

Monday night the Elkhart city council passed a tougher noise ordinance.

Police will now be able to write tickets with stiffer fines and if they hear a loud noise within 35 feet unlike 50 feet in the past.

Mayor Moore says it is part of a pledge he made when he first took office to make the city cleaner and quieter.

"If you are half a block away and you can hear it.. then that's further than 50 or 35 feet.. that's when you usually stop them," Corporal Frank Owens from the Elkhart Police Department.

"We've written more tickets for noise the first 6 months of this year than we did all of last year. We kind of dropped the ball on it and it's time to get it taken care of," says Mayor Dick Moore of Elkhart.

The Elkhart police officer in charge of the noise ordinance was once part of the I.C.E. unit or county drug task force. But the city no longer participates in the unit. So the officer has been re-assigned.

Fines start at 250-dollars and go up to 25-hundred dollars.

The ordinance goes into effect once the mayor signs it.
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Posted by: Don Location: South Bend on Oct 14, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Contrary to what the children with the loud radios are trying to do, (which is to annoy people) Motorcycles are loud so people know you're there and don't hit you. Did anyone notice that they single out Harley riders. Most of the rice burners are imitating Harleys now. (hopefully for the same reason.) What scares me is when you hear that ying, ying, ying of a crotch rocket doing about 90. You expect to hear a crash at the end of it. But whatever the reason a motorcycle doesn't shake your house when it goes by. Go Elkhart!!!!!
Posted by: brian Location: elkhart on Sep 4, 2008 at 09:37 AM
here ya go...whacha think bout this....part of your new ordinance...(4) yelling,hooting,whistling or singing on the public streets, or at any time or place,so as to annoy or disturb the reasonable quiet,comfort or repose of persons in any office or in any dwelling,hotel or other type of residance or of any person in the vicinity......man no wonder no one likes elkhart....i think elkhart is jus lookin for a way to squeeze more money out of people....cant wit till i can get out of this hole called elkhart :)
Posted by: pam Location: elkhart on Sep 3, 2008 at 11:40 PM
you have got to be kidding if anyone thinks that drug dealers use the loud stereos to let their customers know they are in the neighborhood, come on get real!!!they don't draw attention to themselves or their customers, if that was the case don't you think the cops would have caught on to that long ago and we would not have the problem with them that we have now. USE YOUR BRAIN THAT GOD GAVE YOU PEOPLE!!!!1
Posted by: brian Location: elkhart on Sep 3, 2008 at 10:33 PM
ok (mary) what bout the people with factory stereos that have it a lil to high should they be treated the same way as these people with these booming stereos,,,,,?
Posted by: brian Location: elkhart on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:44 PM
anyone wanna try to get the ordinance overturned?????petition i think?????
Posted by: BRIAN Location: ELKHART on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:23 PM
I agree with tammy,,,,welcome to russia!!!
Posted by: Brian Location: Elkhart on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:36 AM
how come all the people ride around with speakers bigger than their tires,,,,and i get a noise ordinance ticket for a stock stereo.....come on :(
Posted by: tammy smith Location: elkhart indiana on Sep 1, 2008 at 10:18 PM
i think america is becoming more and more like other countrys were we are not free we pay for everything, they try to find more and more ways to take money from us. i mean the radio on in the daytime is a problem now. i dont like to get woke up in the morning by a car radio passing bye. thats why there is noise ordiance for that.if a good song comes on and i like it sometimes i play my music really loud.i think people are not happy unless they complane about something. i think its the elderly that have alote to do with it. thats okay the government can take anouther right from us.we are nothing to them anyways just another paycheck. it is load in the daytime cars kids animals bikes next they are going to say we work overnight so we need to sleep in the daytime so people need to stay in the house all day no playing kids animals inside all day and no food cause we cant drive to the store the cars are to load. whats next. land of the free ya right
Posted by: steve Location: elkhart on Aug 6, 2008 at 02:05 PM
The Elkhart nose ordinance is unfairly picking on those younger people with good steros in their cars.What about all the harly riders that have taken off the factory mufflers and run their bikes with straight pipes.I heard one harly a few weeks ago for miles across the city.These are worse than the stereos.What about all the barking dogs.I was told by the police on one occassion " Thats what dogs do" so it goes on and on every day.we The point is one mans noise is another mans pleasure.If the intent of the ordinace is to have a quiet city than we need to address all noise the same not just the ones a few find objectionable. Further there should be a warning issued for a first offence to give people a chance to do the right thing. If there is a secound offence than fine them 50.00 dollars. A third offence than fine them the 250.00 dollars. At this time there is no way to prove without doubt that some one has actually broken the ordinance.
Posted by: kid on Jul 12, 2008 at 04:29 PM
When I was young, I thought everyone needed to hear my music and noise; and it didn't occur to me to put myself in their place and realize what a pain it is to be in your own living room and have someone getting into your ears... but, if anyone said, "you're hurting us", I would have stopped. Why? Because I'm not a psychopath. I'll never understand those who are told, but then insist they want to keep hurting people. Those are the real psychos.
Posted by: Anon on Jul 11, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Anonymous Jul. 10 at 11:46. Your the kind of selfish jerk that makes laws like this needed. You threaten a mother, who simply wants to control what her children have to hear out in public, just because she's concerned? What did she do to you to make you so antagonistic. You need help dude.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 11, 2008 at 12:46 AM
Anonymous on Jul 9, 2008 at 08:08 AM,A Mom Location: Elkhart on Jul 9, 2008 at 08:38 AM.what are the lyrics that you heard. i want to look for those songs to download them.and blast them VERY loud-where do you live?Viewer Location: Niles. NO niles needs jobs, oh so does elkhart,south bend,mish,hey that's a real issue. let's focus on that.
Posted by: Lisa Simpson on Jul 9, 2008 at 10:17 PM
The subwoofers aren't so much to act like an icecream truck for drugs so much as they're meant to drive out people who would make drug activity difficult in the neighborhood. For example, there are apt. complexes I'm never going to live in because of those cars. Well, they won! They don't want me there because I'd complain about drug activity, etc. etc. Look up the websites where those speakers are sold. They brag about putting subwoofers to such uses. It's a selling point! And notice that they are front companies for corporations like Sony who don't want their corp. name associated with it, while they profit (and live far away from those neighborhoods). Remember, the main headache for drug dealers is neighborhood groups driving them out. Subwoofers are a solution provided by corps like Sony and others. Where there's a market, someone will meet the demand... This is why cities have to make laws dealing with it. They know it's a problem that will become a larger one if ignored.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 9, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Please do call. If it's just me, the cops ignore it. It always has to be many different people, as it was in Elkhart (probably because the noise had reached businesses along Cassopolis, where people have higher standards. In da hood, standards are low so no one complains.
Posted by: Tom Location: Leesburg on Jul 9, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Justin, I have relatives who live in Elkhart and have seen the drug dealers doing this. Tell THEM it's ridiculus. The dealers could easily get away with it because no one was bothering to enforce any noise ordinances. Now if they do what they say in this article it will be that much harder for the dealers to get away with it.
Posted by: SaraK Location: Elkhart on Jul 9, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Excuse me Willie, it's not just women that talk on their cell phones while driving.
Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Jul 9, 2008 at 01:20 PM
If you're playing your home stereo too loud you can be cited; why should cars be any different? Now if we can just do something about women drivers on their cell phones......
Posted by: Anonymous Location: elkhart on Jul 9, 2008 at 12:37 PM
i run a fan on high& airconditioner on high at night and i still here BOOM BOOM BOOM AND get little peace.
Posted by: Mary Location: SB on Jul 9, 2008 at 12:18 PM
There are cities in the US, such as Chicago, that if you violate their noise ordinace, you will have your car impounded, and will have fees to get your car back. I wish that is what St. Joe County would do. I'm tired of the base thumping morons around here.
Posted by: Viewer Location: Niles on Jul 9, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Let's also hope Niles looks at this! I just bought a house there this year and if I could have found out how much people come by with their thunderous booming vehicles thanks to their sound system, I would have never moved here. When the windows in the house rattle (literally), and the dogs start barking, that's too much. Its not just one vehicle either, I've seen literally dozens of them going by. I've been writing down license plates, and getting ready to call the police. I'm sick of it.
Posted by: Headache Location: Mishawaka on Jul 9, 2008 at 09:54 AM
We need a noise ordinance amendment like this in Mishawaka. Living on a major thoroughfare, near a stop light, I can tell you that in the summer you have to keep your windows closed. Otherwise you cannot even hear your tv or radio for the booming subwoofers idling at the red light. What is worse is when you are sitting at a red light and you are stuck near someone with a couple of subwoofers working overtime. Your brains want to jump out of your head and there is nowhere you can go until the light turns green. There are car stereo shops in town that advertise speakers called "Earthquake". What do you think those are used for? I enjoy my rock and roll, and I like it loud on occasion, but I think people with these excessively loud stereos are doing this to impress their fellow cruisers. It's a status thing. I have stopped at a gas station and witnessed someone pull up, either to pump gas or go in, and leave their car running with the stereo thumping for all to hear. Go Elkhart!
Posted by: Tom Paine on Jul 9, 2008 at 09:52 AM
People who like to give other people headaches with their noise, who think it's their right to make noise, who think it's their world and the rest of us just live in it, could you please sterilize yourselves. Please! I might just move out of South Bend and into Elkhart if this keeps up. Good for Elkhart. I guess they don't want to deal with the larger social woes that would come if the little things are ignored. Noise pollution is serious. It hurts people. I know some of you don't care. Something that happened to you when you were born, or something like that; who knows. Just do us one favor and get a vasectomy. They're easy and cheap procedures. Go on. Just do that one thing for me and the future of mankind.
Posted by: A Mom Location: Elkhart on Jul 9, 2008 at 09:38 AM
I CARE!! Yesterday my daughter and I were stopped at an intersection when a car playing incredibly loud music pulled up right next to us. We had our windows down, and so did this woman. Her music contained every cuss word I've ever heard, F***, N****, B****, should I go on? What's worse... not only did we have to listen to the crap, but the woman had 3 very young kids in the car with her! No wonder there are so many little thugs running around!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 9, 2008 at 09:08 AM
My house is 70 feet long. 35 feet would be about half as long as my house. When put in perspective, this law seems unreasonable. However, I don't like to hear people play their loud annoying and disgusting rap music or songs about girls kissing girls. So if this rule is specifically pertaining to just music, I am all for it.
Posted by: Rob Location: Elkhart on Jul 9, 2008 at 08:53 AM
I don't disagree with the premise of this ordinance (reduce "nuisance" noise) but I do have a problem with all the holes in the law. The determination of violation is subjective and up to the police officer. As others have noted, a lawn mower would violate the ordinance the same as a blaring "thumper" car stereo, but only the stereo would get the ticket. What if I find the mower more irritating than the stereo (I don't, but I'm just saying..)? What about my rights? What about the Ice Cream wagons driving through the neighborhoods blaring their music? What about leaf blowers, loud car exhausts, fireworks, etc. I've not read the ordinance but I suspect it wouldn't survive a court challenge. Most that rely on subjective criteria won't.
Posted by: BigRedEvil Location: Death Valley on Jul 9, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Shouldn't we be investing time finding actual criminals instead of fining people who are playing music that can be heard 10 yards away? Geez - no more rockin' out to the Beach Boys once in a while - or Hitlers SS guys will fine me for LOUD MUSIC!!! Honestly who cares.............
Posted by: Leo Location: Granger on Jul 9, 2008 at 07:40 AM
Motorcycles are NOT the problem, Trains are NOT the problem, the noise problem is the "booming" music individuals play in their cars and on the street. When I have to roll my windows up so that I can hear anything that person has imposed on my "hearing" space. Harley's sound like they should like a motorcycle. All the wuffers (sp?) in cars don't. How would they ever hear an emergency vehicle approaching. Good going mayor. Hopefully those radios (or whatever you call them) will be tuned down, this is not music to anyones ears.
Posted by: Q Location: Elkhart on Jul 9, 2008 at 07:26 AM
I think the noise ordinance is very neccessary. There is a BIG difference between a Harley that takes only a few seconds to pass by you (loud or not) or having a car with spinners sit at a neighbors house, rattling all of the windows, for about an hour. Unless you live with the true upscale of Elkhart, I don't see how this isn't a problem for you. These little thugglets are everywhere and have no respect for anyone. I don't think the noise ordinance is meant for lawn mowers or bikers-- I mean, it seems pretty plain to me that it is for cars. Bikes, mowers, trains-- those are all normal sounds and you probably don't even notice it most of the time. Unless perhaps your neighbor is mowing at 10PM. And bikers... well, it's a dangerous thing to do. We all know how awful people drive. It's the risk you take... it's also the reason why most insurance companies only write certain amounts of medical coverage for the rider. Those injuries can go into the hundreds of thousands.
Posted by: mark Location: cassopolis on Jul 9, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Does someone have a large book we can start logging all these stupid laws in. You won't be able to do anything soon. I cannot believe the mayor is worried about this. There are much more issues to deal with more critical than this. I am so glad I live in the country. I guess marching bands at football games will be a thing of the past soon. Why are things like this being allowed. I eager to see the next ridiculus law that will be put into affect.
Posted by: dave Location: bourbon on Jul 9, 2008 at 06:00 AM
maybe us motorcycle rides wouldnt have to have loud bikes so you can hears us because you never see us. if you stupid car drivers would get off your cell phones and watch the road.
Posted by: Mike Location: elkhart on Jul 9, 2008 at 01:14 AM
Maybe if stupid people like Mike,Justin and D would quit pulling out in front of us stupid Harley bikers we wouldn't have to have them so loud. If they ran into one of us the first thing they would say is "I didn't see him" Well That is why you hear us. Read the statistics 67% of all motorcycle accidents are caused by people in cars that turn in front of the motorcycle because they don't see us. What will the % be if they can't hear us either. Would you rather hear us or kill us and have to live with it the rest of your life??????????
Posted by: D Location: SB on Jul 8, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Good move! Hopefully this will apply to all of the stupid Harley biker that are out there. No one wants to hear those annoying motorcycles!
Posted by: Justin Location: Elkhart on Jul 8, 2008 at 08:00 PM
To Tom: I hope you don't seriously believe that drug dealers use their stereos to let their customers know that they're coming. That's absolutely ridiculous. An actual drug dealer is doing everything in their power to not be noticed. The noise "problem" and drugs are unconnected.
Posted by: Jose Location: Elkhart on Jul 8, 2008 at 07:55 PM
But i like to play my fiesta music really loud for you...no?
Posted by: Mike Location: Elkhart on Jul 8, 2008 at 07:51 PM
GOOD!!!maybe they can get some mufflers on those harleys!! I'll support that 100%
Posted by: Sarah Location: Elkhart on Jul 8, 2008 at 07:29 PM
I'd like to comment on the trains. They have been here in this area long before I was. Some noises you just have to get used to. If you didn't like the whistles and banging around that goes on there, you probably shouldn't have moved where you did. They whistles serve a purpose - and that is saving peoples lives. I've lived near the train yard for so many years that I don't even pay attention to it anymore - you just don't hear it. Now I have a question. Does this ordinance apply to the dragstrip? I hope not, it's something else that's been there all of my life that I hear and enjoy.
Posted by: Mike Location: Elkhart on Jul 8, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Mayor Moore is a complete idiot. Go outside at night, you can hear a cricket from 35 feet. You can hear someone talking from 35 feet. This is insane. The police could ticket you for mowing your grass or using your snow blower or chainsaw or even a generator if the power goes out. The economy is in the tank so this is their way of generating income. I will now sell my motorcycle because a quite motorcycle is dangerous. Well Mayor, that is one less wheel tax you will collect. I read on WSBT that Moore said he loves music, He said he used to sing hard rock. Moore wouldn't know hard rock from Lawrence Welk. I will retire in 6 years and I can't wait to get out of this place. Of course by then there will probably be a law that says I can't leave town without permission.
Posted by: Svengali Location: Elkhart on Jul 8, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Too bad you can't outlaw stupidity.
Posted by: Concerned Location: Elkhart on Jul 8, 2008 at 06:59 PM
Mr. Moore, have you heard of priorities? We have a drug war going on here with people being shot and killed but thank goodness we are cracking down on the noise in this town!!! Good Grief!!
Posted by: L Location: Anywhere on Jul 8, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Why arent there some politicians campaigning for no new laws,and overturn some stupid ones like this one.I'd vote for him.
Posted by: Kevin Location: Baugo Township on Jul 8, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Is the ordunance county wide or just city limits? If county wide are there any exemptions? I am asking because I live in Baugo Township and I would like it enforced here also. I would also like to know what it will take to get the trains to stop whistling? We can never have our windows open because of the noise. We have to rely on air conditioning on nights we could otherwise just open our windows. The city of Mishawaka does not allow trains to whistle. It is an outdated practice that is more of an annoyance than anything else. With crossing lights and arms the practice of whistling at crossing is no longer needed...
Posted by: Tom Location: Leesburg on Jul 8, 2008 at 06:08 PM
To all those who are probably going to complain that this is wasting the time of the officer who used to be part of the I.C.E. unit. Drug dealers have been using their loud radios, just like the icecream man, to let their customers know they're coming. If the noise ordinance is enforced they get stopped before they can even start and may even get busted for the drugs they're carrying. Also it just cuts down on people with obviously bad attitudes and makes the whole area much more pleasant. Good job Elkhart.
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