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Loud-Car-Music Gripes? Complain Online

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By STEVEN GIRARDI

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 19, 2008

LARGO - Joining the cities of Gulfport - Florida and Mississippi - the Largo Police Department has created an online form that allows anyone to file a complaint about motorists whose music is too loud.

Once completed, the form generates an automatic letter signed by police Chief Lester Ardi that will be mailed to the vehicle owner's home address.

"We're hoping it brings some sort of an awareness level that there is a complaint," Lt. Michael Loux said Thursday.

The letter carries no enforcement authority, he said, noting noise violations have to be witnessed by an officer to warrant a citation. But the chief's office will keep track of complaints, he said, which could result in a visit to repeat violators.

Noise violations carry a $91 fine, he said.

Largo started the program Wednesday and, after one day, there were complaints filed, Loux said.

The program is part of a noise-abatement campaign called "Turn it Down, or Pay Up."

Largo learned about it from Gulfport police in south Pinellas, who got it from Gulfport, Miss., said Lt. Robert Vincent, of the Gulfport in Pinellas.

"It's a pretty good idea," Vincent said. "Obviously, we can't be going out and citing people. But it allows us to send a professional and polite warning notice that someone's concerned about this noise, and here's what the law says."

After six months, he said, they have not received many complaints, but the department has not had a chance to analyze the numbers.

Vincent and Loux said police get a lot complaints from residents about loud car stereos, either in traffic or driving through their neighborhoods. "That's why we did it," Vincent said.

The program works this way:

Anyone who hears car stereo music from more than 25 feet away may go to the city's Web site and find the complaint form. It asks for such things as the date, location, and the vehicle tag number, make and model.

Hit the "submit" button, and a letter from the chief will be sent to the person and address listed on the registration.

People are warned to keep a safe distance from the cars while getting the information and not to confront other motorists.

Loux said the department won't know who was driving the car, or even whether the complaint is a legitimate one.

"We're assuming people won't take the opportunity to make erroneous complaints," he said, adding anyone notified may challenge it.

But in some cases, the letter could be going to parents whose children are driving.

"Maybe that will initiate some sort of conversation between the parents and the adolescents," Loux said.

To find the forms, in Largo go to www.largo.com, find the police department link. In Gulfport, go to www .gulfportpolice.com.

Reporter Steven Girardi may be reached at (727) 451-2333 or at sgirardi@tampatrib.com.

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