Harlan Kirgan
The city’s laws on criminal damage to property and unnecessary noise need to updated, according to Alderwoman Germaine Simpson.
Speaking about the need to bring some peace and quiet to the city’s neighborhoods, Simpson said, “It is really annoying and disturbing to just think that you work all your life, you pay for a home, you want to enjoy and then you can’t. You just don’t want to have somebody else rob you of that. It is not fair.”
The city’s ordinance concerning noise sets hours from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
“It shall be unlawful for any person to yell, shout, hoot, whistle or sing, or use amplified equipment on the public streets...”, the ordinance states.
Simpson suggested the city set the time from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven days a week for the restriction on unnecessary noise.
People work all days of the week and need their sleep, she said.
The current maximum fine is $500 and up to 60 days in jail.
Simpson said the fine may need to be raised.
Police Chief Randy Fontenot said noise violators are caught “but it is not as often as I would like to. By the time the officers get there they have turned it down or moved on.”
Enforcement becomes even more difficult when it occurs from a moving vehicle, he said.
Simpson said the problem “is just getting overwhelming” and occurs all hours of the night.
Simpson also urged the city revise its law on criminal damage to include a provision that offenders pay for repairs and fine be increased.
The fine for criminal damage to property is up to $500. Up to 60 days in jail can be assessed.
Damage to city property carries a fine of up to $200 and up to 30 days in jail.
Simpson said someone rode a vehicle on Southeast Center property and damaged it recently.
“We need to update this ordinance and add a provision where they have to pay for some of the damages,” she said.
Simpson said she would be with proposals at the next Board meeting.