Let’s Be Very Clear

The Riverside Neighborhood issue is NOT with Maola operating in our neighborhood, nor is it with the police not acknowledging the noise issue.

The problem is with the New Bern city noise ordinance and how it is written. The ordinance is vague and is left to interpretation; ‘…any loud, raucous and disturbing noise, which shall mean any sound which because of its volume level, duration and character annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, health, peace…’

The residents of Riverside initially met with the Chief of Police, citing the noise ordinance and requested enforcement.

Unfortunately for everyone involved, Maola management deliberately chose to use the vague language of the noise ordinance in their favor, saying that it wasn’t specific to their situation therefore they would not stop. This action tied the hands of the police and has created the situation we are now in.

As complex as it all seems, the solution is simple; a new noise ordinance must be implemented. Many cities throughout the country have done it and in our state, towns like Greenville, Charlotte, Chapel Hill and Greensboro have updated their noise ordinances to include acceptable Db levels.

These new noise ordinances specify acceptable, measurable Db readings that are clearly spelled out and enforceable by the local police dept.

A model of this ordinance exists, it is not arbitrary, it is based on acceptable levels of noise as called out by the EPA.

~ by maolamayhem on June 4, 2007.