NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — You don’t have to be on the road or even nearby to hear what many call a frustrating noise.
“They are disrupting people’s lives, their family time, sleep,” said Betsy Gara, the executive director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST).
Dozens of Connecticut municipalities have ordinances against loud, modified exhaust pipes and stereos, but COST said it’s difficult to enforce them.
“There’s not much local law enforcement can do, because it’s just something that occurs at different hours of the night, sometimes they can’t get there soon enough to crack down on it,” Gara said. “These noise cameras will be a very important tool.”
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Gara said COST advocated for noise cameras proposed by Rep. Bobby Gibson (D-District 15) at the state capitol.
A bill passed last week allows cities and towns to install cameras that record noise over 80 decibels and send tickets to their owners. Gara said the first offense is a warning, the second is a $100 ticket, and each after that is a $250 ticket.
“These cars are increasing in use,” he said. “It’s become a big fad to modify cars to make as much noise as possible and they go screaming through neighborhoods at all hours of the day and night.”
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said it’s a big problem in the Elm City, and it is one of many considering the technology.
“I’ve gotten complaints about loud music from Branford that is coming from New Haven because people buy these huge boom speakers, point them out to the water and blast them,” Elicker said. “I can hear them from my home a mile away.”
Not everyone is ready to pull the trigger on the cameras, however.
State Sen. Gary Winfield (D-District) has some reservations. In a statement to News 8, he said “noise enforcement cameras need proper oversight to ensure fairness and prevent potential bias. There is a concern of how this program will be applied without standards set by the state.”
Residents said if the noise subsides, they support it.
“I had to buy a noise machine. I wear ear plugs at night,” New Haven resident Tatum Wallace said. “It’s definitely become an issue in New Haven. I think we all deserve some type of peace and quiet. I support the camera all the way.”
Since the legislation passed statewide, cities and town now have the option to install the noise cameras. The first step would be creating an ordinance with public input.
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