Enforce Southington, CT Noise Ordinance

The purpose of this petition is to create a public plea to the Southington Police department to strictly enforce the town ordinance. It is evident that the ordinance is not strictly enforced based on the frequency and severity of noise emitted from many vehicles and motorcycles by owners who live in or patron our town.

Be it in our homes, yards, in and around town, dining at one of Southington's many outdoor dining establishments, I believe the level of unnecessary noise emission creates a public disturbance. I further believe, as do many of my neighbors, that these disturbances create a public health issue. My neighbors and I have often complained with one another about being awakened many times throughout the night and into the morning hours due to this nuisance. We have discussed the ill-effects of sleep deprivation caused by these frequent disturbances.

I believe this ordinance can be easily enforced if our police department simply measures the level of noise emission near any one of many establishments frequented by owners of such vehicles and motorcycles. This is not to say all motorcycle owners commit this offense. I see (and don't hear) many responsible vehicle and motorcycle owners who do not alter their exhaust systems; however, those that do should be forced to adhere to the ordinance and be subjected to the fine (of up to $125.00) per offense as outlined in the ordinance. Our town enforces many other public safety and disturbance laws and ordinances such as speeding, dogs around public events, etc., and it seems more than reasonable to make this ordinance a priority as well for the peace and health of our community.