Ball State University students, please answer the followingquestion: What sound disturbs the peace, distracts pedestrians anddrivers from hearing and causes permanent hearing loss?
If your answer is loud car stereos, you are correct.
Students, cover your ears, because some car stereo owners arecontinuing to violate Muncie's noise ordinance. Bass lovers arerolling down windows and opening sunroofs for the campus to heartheir stereo systems. The Muncie and campus police know thisproblem exists, but aren't doing enough about it.
Muncie's noise ordinance regulates car stereo noise not beaudible from 40 feet away or measure louder than 90 decibels. Thereis also a fine, up to $250 for the first offense, for infringementof the ordinance. But according to the Ball State University PoliceDepartment, there have been zero noise-ordinance citations given toowners of loud car stereos this year. Why isn't the ordinance beingenforced?
Muncie's police officials have no existing noise-measurementdevice, so they can't measure decibel levels. They are forced touse discretion to fine a citizen for violating the noise ordinance.But because they have no decibel-measuring device, police officershave to speculate when to penalize citizens with loud car stereos.It makes no sense to develop a noise ordinance if it can't beenforced properly. The judgments the officers are making obviouslyaren't penalizing the loud car stereo owners, or the bass loverswouldn't disregard Muncie police as they blow out theireardrums.
Muncie police officials need to invest in a noise measurementdevice, which can be bought online for about $400, to enforce thecity's noise ordinance. If a device was used to measure noiselevels more than 90 decibels, bass lovers would be forced to turndown their stereos or a citation would be written. Police officialswould now have a device to assist them with enforcing the city'snoise ordinance.
But the infringers might ask, "Why enforce the city's noiseordinance?"
The loud noise of car stereos disturbs the rights of otherpeople's peace. Not every student wants to see and hear you drivingdown McKinley Avenue displaying the sound system you bought at BestBuy. We actually do have to prepare for exams, projects and writtenassignments, not listen to the latest hip-hop song in yourvehicle.
Extremely loud sounds distract pedestrians and drivers fromhearing emergency vehicles on the road. Police vehicles andambulances have loud sirens, but because your volume is at a highdecibel level, it distracts you, other drivers and pedestrians fromhearing those emergency sirens. Loud sounds also distract basslovers from hearing horns from other cars, train whistles andtraffic noises. This could cause serious damage to you and others,especially on a college campus. So turn down your music and payattention to the road.
Loud music can also cause permanent hearing damage. A loud carstereo owner can only endure two hours worth of music at 91decibels before permanent hearing loss begins. A normalconversation between two individuals is 60 decibels, so when thevolume level is increased 30 extra decibels it can be catastrophicto one's hearing. So protect your hearing and pump down thevolume.
We know the noise ordinance isn't being enforced, but if Munciepolice officials buy a noise-measurement device, loud stereo ownersshould beware.
They will have to answer this question: "What noise will youmake after you receive a $250 citation?"
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
