Noise OFF org The Citizens Coalition Against Noise

Noise. OFF. org The Citizens Coalition Against Noise Pollution

Chapters • • • Introduction Boom Cars Boom Car Advertisements Car Alarms Motorcycles Exhaust Systems Landscaping Engine Brakes Our Agenda Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Noise Pollution Epidemic • American families can’t sleep at night because of boom cars, car alarms and motorcycles • 2001 U. S. Census Survey – 11. 8 million households said street or traffic noise was bothersome – 4. 5 million residents said it was so bad they wanted to move

Types of Noise • • • Boom Cars Car Alarms Motorcycles Exhaust Systems Landscaping Truck Engine Brakes • • • Traffic Airports Stadiums / Events Clubs / Bars / Restaurants Construction Public Transportation

Counting Decibels (d. BA) • • • Boom Car Jet Takeoff Shotgun Rock Concert Thunder Clap Leaf Blower Motorcycle Lawn Mower Traffic Noise Conversation Whisper Breathing 140 130 125 120 100 95 90 80 50 30 10 Pain Threshold 125 Hearing Loss Risk 100 Very Annoying 90 Intrusive 70 Comfortable 60 Very Quiet 30 Just Audible 20

Dealing with Noise Pollution • Some types of noise, such as boom cars and car alarms can be eliminated • Other types of noise, such as vehicle traffic can be mitigated • Noise pollution issues are sometimes based on zoning and land use rights

Members of the Coalition • Working to reduce noise pollution from the United States and abroad – – – Citizens Elected Representatives Law Enforcement Educators Researchers Activists

About Us • People just like you – – Similar problem in big cities and small towns Organized on the Internet Independently researched the problem Dedicated to ending urban blight ruining communities

Join The Coalition • Help create a national movement – – People in every community Membership is free Enlist friends, neighbors and relatives Spread the word • Situation gets worse every day • Joining together makes our voices loud enough to be heard

Government Issues • Police departments are not solely effective in solving noise pollution problems • Current federal administration is not focused on protecting the environment • EPA not effectively protecting Americans from noise pollution • Legislators are overwhelmed by the political and financial power of the noise industry

The Noise Industry • Identified companies that profit from creating noise pollution • Boom car industry promote anti-social behavior in their advertisements • We are not going to let them get away with it – We refuse to be victims – Working to pass laws against their industry – Empowering the public

The Noise Industry • Making billions of dollars a year at your expense – Vehicle Aftermarket Industry • $29 Billion Year Retail Industry • 5, 700 Companies • Enormous Political and Financial Resources – Manufacturers and Installers • Boom Cars • Car Alarms • Motorcycles and Hot-Rod Exhaust Systems

Noise Industry Trade Groups • Industry Trade Groups – Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) – Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) – Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association (MERA) • Tactics – Lobby against proposed noise-pollution ordinances – Create political caucuses and PACs – Enlist hot-rod and motorcycle clubs to lobby on their behalf – Attempt to marginalize noise pollution activists

Join The Coalition • Common complaints – “My family was awakened by the sound of boom cars driving by. We called the police to report the offenders but they took no action. And for the entire night, we couldn't sleep because of the noise. The next day at work, I was tired, angry and frustrated. And the next night, the same thing happened all over again. ” -- J. T. – “Car alarm sirens is making my child and newborn upset, I don’t know what to do. ” -- M. H. – “My neighbor’s Harley wakes me and my family up at five in the morning” -- W. E.

Join The Coalition • Health and safety issue – Huge deaf population looming on the horizon – Drivers with reduced reaction times and diminished awareness – Whole towns being held hostage to extremely loud noise by a few people – Police diverting resources away from other crimes to handle quality of life issues – Multibillion dollar industry callously profiting from all of this

Learn More about Noise. OFF • Sign up at Noise. OFF. org and learn how others are working to reduce noise pollution in their own community • Yahoo! Groups where you can discuss and meet other members • Join a vibrant community of concerned citizens just like you

Boom Cars

Boom Cars • Vehicle equipped with an audio system producing a powerful bass sound • Also called – Street Pounders – Trunk Thumpers • Bass Noise – Rattle windows – Travel through walls – Heard and felt more than a block away

Boom Cars • Disturb millions of people each day • Urban residents suffer • No community is immune from this type of noise pollution • Manufacturers are working to develop even louder systems

MTX Audio “Super. Woofer” • MTX Thunder 9500 “Super. Woofer” for use in boom cars • Advertised as “head splitting, heart stopping, ear shattering, mind numbing and retina detaching” • Designed to even louder than a Boeing 747 at takeoff

“Boomers” • Profile – Male – Late Teens / Twenties – Lower-Middle Social Class • Attitudes – – – Louder the better Little regard for others Car is an expression of themselves Improve their social standing among their peers Will attract women

Safety and Health Concerns • People exposed to this noise experience – – – Anxiety Lost Sleep Depression Hypertension Permanent Hearing Damage • Pregnant woman, infants and children may be adversely affected

Safety and Health Concerns • Intense low frequency noise produce – Produces a drug-like euphoric effect – Causes a numbing effect • Medical journal report – Four young men suffered a lung collapse triggered by loud bass music – One of the men was in a boom car outfitted with a 1, 000 -watt bass system – Source: Thorax Medical Journal

The Money Trail • Manufacturers – – – Sony Pioneer Electronics JBL Alpine Audiovox • Retailers – Crutchfield – Circuit City – Best Buy

The Money Trail • Socially Irresponsible – Aware of the negative environmental impact their products have, but continue making and selling it – Explicitly promote its use as a means to disturb people and ruin neighborhoods – Sponsor sound pressure level (SPL) competitions awarding prizes to the loudest boom cars

The Money Trail • Marketing and Promotion Tactics – Print, Internet, Event campaigns – Viral / Guerilla / Stealth Tactics – Avoid public scrutiny because marketing falls under the radar of mainstream culture – Anti-social and sexist messages – Product Placement in Movies / Television • The Fast and the Furious • 2 Fast 2 Furious • MTV’s Pimp My Ride

The Money Trail • Trade Groups – Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) – Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) – Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association (MERA) • Tactics – Lobby against proposed noise-pollution ordinances – SEMA created ‘Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus’ enlisting members of congress to support their agenda – Enlist car and motorcycle enthusiast clubs to lobby on their behalf

Legal Considerations • Police – Do not regard the problem as serious – Often do not enforce existing noise ordinances – Some municipalities require that the police officer personally monitor and measure the amount of noise with a sound meter before issuing a summons – Officers sometimes drive boom cars themselves

Legal Considerations • Major Cities – New York City: Revised its noise code – Chicago: Imposed greater fines for boom cars – Los Angeles: Beholden to the car audio industry • Issues – Nationwide patchwork of noise ordinances are not effectively enforced – Local elected officials charged with protecting the public are overwhelmed by the noise industry's financial and political power

Legal Considerations • Environmental Protection Agency – Charged with protecting the public from this onslaught of noise pollution – EPA’s Office of Noise Abatement and Control has not been funded in over 20 years – Current federal administration has no plans to reinstate funding

Effective Law Enforcement • Lorain, Ohio • First offense is a fine • Second offense results in stereo equipment being confiscated and destroyed

Solutions • Do not approach or attempt to reason with motorists in boom cars • Record their license plate number and call the police • Lobby the community council for stronger laws against booming

Learn More about Noise. OFF • Sign up at Noise. OFF. org and learn how others are working to reduce noise pollution in their own community • Yahoo! Groups where you can discuss and meet other members • Join a vibrant community of concerned citizens just like you

Boom Car Advertisements

Boom Car Ads • Corporate irresponsibility and greed that is ruining communities all over the country • Boom Car Marketing – – Disgusting Language Sexist Content Promotes Thuggery Anti Social • Not intended to appeal – Motorists looking to upgrade the factory speakers – Audiophiles

Boom Car Ads • Ads are the smoking gun they promote thuggery and anti-social behavior • MERA position statement warning its members – “. . . not to use symbols, messages or suggest behavior that would adversely affect the industry. Irresponsible promotion could negatively impact the perception of our industry by the public at large and could be used against us by activists or government to regulate our products and activities”

Boom Car Ads • Corporate Slogans – – – Sony X-Plod: “Disturb the peace” Pioneer Electronics: “Disturb, Defy, Disrupt, Ignite” JBL: “Either we love BASS, or hate your neighbors” JL Audio: “Be Very Afraid” MSX: “Proud to be loud” Kicker: “You deserve a beating. . . Kicker’s loudest, meanest subwoofer ever!”

Boom Car Ads • More Corporate Slogans – – Concept: “When TOO loud. . . is just right!” Lightning Audio: “Sonic submission” Boss Audio System: “Turn it down? I don't think so” Cerwin-Vega Mobile Audio: “Shake the living, wake the dead” – Crossfire: “We're louder. . . Deal with it!” – Earthquake Sound: “The Meanest, Loudest, Most Powerful, Motherf***ing Amplifiers Money Can Buy”

Boom Car Ads • Leading Magazines – Auto Performance • Car Audio • Hot-Rod – Culture / Hip-Hop • XXL • The Source • Vibe – Mens • FHM • Maxim

Car Sound Magazine • How to build a boom car • SPL Competitions • Boom car ads

Boss Audio Systems • “Turn it down? I don't think so” • Depiction of a punk giving the finger

Cerwin Vega • “Shake the living - Wake the dead” • Depiction of an Egyptian mummy holding its ears

Hollywood Sound Labs • “The Word on the Street… Shake Seats and Annoy Neighbors”

JBL • “Either we love bass or hate your neighbors” • Uses hate and contempt as a means to sell a product

JL Audio • “Be Very Afraid” • Uses fear as a marketing message to suggest that boomers will be feared by others

MA Audio • Depiction of a busty women on all fours with a kitchen knife • Meant to appeal to males who assume they will attract a woman with a boom car

MB Quart • “Bolt-On Performance They’ll Hear a Mile Away”

Sony Electronics • “It's not my remote, its my detonator” • Equates boom car equipment as a weapon, specifically an explosive device • Marketed under the brand name ‘X-Plod’ • Tasteless considering heightened sensitivities

Pioneer Electronics • “Everyone Gets a Free Concert When I Roll By” • How Pioneer Electronics executives envision urban life for us all

Pioneer Electronics • “As a Matter of Fact, I Do Own the Road” • Attempts to speak in the voice of a boomer • Underlying message is that Pioneer Electronics owns the road (we beg to differ)

Pioneer Electronics • Depiction of an SUV with 5, 000 watts of audio power • Pioneer Electronics consistently depicts gloom and blight in their ads to create a sense of menace

Tuner Expo Event • Event organizers attract the boomer crowd to its car shows with low-class advertising • Promoters use the lure of sex to suggest that boom cars are attractive to women • Topless model was hired to promote event

The Big Kahuna Event • Events sponsored by the boom car industry are held in communities all over the country • Events are a come-on to purchase or upgrade more powerful boom car equipment

Boycott Pioneer Electronics • Pioneer brags its car audio systems can be heard and felt a block away • The pounding bass noise can travel through walls and rattle windows • Families can't even sleep at night in their own homes because of boom car noise

Learn More about Noise. OFF • Sign up at Noise. OFF. org and learn how others are working to reduce noise pollution in their own community • Yahoo! Groups where you can discuss and meet other members • Join a vibrant community of concerned citizens just like you

Car Alarms

Car Alarms • Car alarms ruin neighborhoods everywhere – No evidence that car alarms deter auto theft • Thieves often trip the alarm to mask the sound of breaking glass • Thieves can disable an alarm in seconds – – Passersby ignore the alarms Frustrated residents vandalize cars in retaliation Car alarms disrupt special occasions Parents are concerned that noise exposure can harm their babies and children

Safety and Health Concerns • People exposed to this noise experience – – – Anxiety Lost Sleep Depression Lost Productivity Hypertension • Physiological Effects – Fight or flight mode – Nervous system releases adrenaline – Heightened state of alert

Safety and Health Concerns • Social Harm – Frighten infants and young children, a time in their lives when they are developing patterns that will last the rest of their lives – Wake people up at night and ruin their day – Not a decent way for people to live

The Money Trail • Manufacturers – – Directed Electronics / Viper Audiovox Bulldog Security Crimestopper • Aware their products are ineffective at preventing auto theft and its negative environmental impact

The Money Trail • Trade Groups – Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) – Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) – Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association (MERA) • Lobbied against proposed noise-pollution ordinances in communities • Responsible for auto-related noise pollution • Little regard for quality of life issues

Legal Considerations • New York City – Residents protested in front of City Hall demanding a complete ban on car alarms – Passed a lame duck law that only prohibits the sale of motion activated alarms and alarms that sound off for more than three minutes – MERA takes credit: “the language of the proposed ordinance has been amended to soften the blow to the mobile electronics industry”

Solutions • Talk to your neighbors and organize • Most communities have some type of noise ordinance in place • Citizens should know what they are and if they require strengthening • Lobby the city council or the community board in your area to increase police patrols and fines for offenders

Solutions • Talk to your neighbors and enlist their support • Remove your car alarm if you have one • Effective solutions to reduce risk of car theft include silent alarms that page the owner • Call 311 and log a noise complaint • Call 911 at night to report a possible auto theft

Learn More about Noise. OFF • Sign up at Noise. OFF. org and learn how others are working to reduce noise pollution in their own community • Yahoo! Groups where you can discuss and meet other members • Join a vibrant community of concerned citizens just like you

Motorcycles

Motorcycle Noise • New motorcycles are built to federally mandated noise control standards • What makes them noisy is when bikers remove or modify the muffler tailpipe • Modification is illegal in most states, yet companies continue to sell and install custom exhaust pipes

Quiet Motorcycles • Manufacturers know how to build quiet motorcycles – Europe and Japan mandate lower noise levels – In London, motorcycles are used much more for commuting and recreational use than in most American cities – Motorcycles quiet as a typical automobile – In America, riders often deal with road use restrictions because of the widespread perception that all motorcycles are noisy

Bikers • Bikers who ride in big noisy machines – Have no regard for the rights of the community – Enjoy the attention they get, particularly from annoyed passersby – See themselves as free-spirited rebels following their own rules – They are not outlaws, they are overbearing

Safety and Health Concerns • Riders assume significant risk of serious injury or death on roads and highways – Riders claim few safety options to mitigate injury other than a helmet and gloves – But most do not bother to take a safe riding course • Many riders claim “Loud Pipes Save Lives” – No statistical correlation between the noise level of a motorcycle and its ability to reduce accidents – American Motorcyclist Association has taken a position statement against excessive motorcycle noise

The Money Trail • Manufacturers – Harley-Davidson – Honda – BMW • Trade Groups – Motorcycle Industry Council – Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) – Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association (MERA)

The Money Trail • Lobbied against proposed noise-pollution ordinances in communities • SEMA created the ‘Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus’ enlisting members of congress to support their agenda • Enlist local motorcycle enthusiast clubs to lobby on their behalf on political issues

The Money Trail • Overwhelming public disdain against motorcycles • Riders join political action groups in an effort to combat increased legislation against their sport – – Motorcycle Riders Foundation The American Motorcyclist Association The National Motorists' Association ABATE • American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education • American Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments

Legal Considerations • Modifying the muffler pipe for the purpose of making it louder is illegal in most states • Legal exhaust pipes are marked to indicate that they fall within EPA standards for noise emissions • Loud exhaust pipes are not street-legal and intended for off-road use or professional track use (sometimes not EPA marked as required by law) • Not illegal to purchase or install

Law Enforcement • Officers – Charged but not always mandated to enforce laws – Not educated on the harms of noise pollution – Overwhelmed by the problem • Attitudes – – Reluctant to take action Little regard for noise pollution Need to be educated on harms of noise Own loud motorcycles

Legal Considerations • Police – Charged with enforcing laws against illegal motorcycle pipes – Often reluctant to enforce the law – Own modified pipes in their own civilian motorcycles – Little regard for noise pollution – Need to be educated on harms of noise pollution – Expected to be professional and enforce the law

Solutions • Do not approach or attempt to reason with bikers • Take down their license plate number and call the police • Lobby the community for stronger noise ordinances • Lobby the state to enact stronger laws against muffler modifications

Solutions • Talk to your neighbors and organize, chances are they are just as frustrated as you are • Most communities have some type of noise ordinance in place and you should know what they are and if they require strengthening • Lobby the city council or the community board in your area to increase police patrols and fines for offenders

Learn More about Noise. OFF • Sign up at Noise. OFF. org and learn how others are working to reduce noise pollution in their own community • Yahoo! Groups where you can discuss and meet other members • Join a vibrant community of concerned citizens just like you

Exhaust Systems

Exhaust Systems • Exhaust systems are required on all vehicles in the United States and in most other countries • Hot-rodders and so-called ‘tuners’ often modify vehicle mufflers and/or disable the catalytic converter to produce distinctive humming or roaring sound • Modified vehicles are often referred to as ‘Vroom Cars’

Exhaust Systems • Mufflers are designed to absorb the extremely harsh noise from an internal-combustion engine • Catalytic converters are designed to reduce the toxic emissions of exhaust gasses • Modified mufflers can sometimes be identified as having a much wider tailpipe • Vibration can travel long distances through walls and windows • Low frequency noise cannot be localized

Exhaust Pipes • Vibroacoustic disease – Breathing Difficulty – Irregular Heartbeats – Nausea • People exposed to this noise experience – – – Lost sleep Stress High blood pressure Hypertension Feelings of dread or depression Permanent Hearing Damage

The Money Trail • Manufacturers – Flowmaster – Magnaflow • Retailers / Installers – Meineke Car Center – Midas • Trade groups – Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) – Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association (MERA)

The Money Trail • Flowmaster claims its performance exhaust systems produce “an aggressive muscle car sound” • Meineke Care Center allows vehicle owners to sample different sounds from their line of performance mufflers

The Money Trail • Lobbied against proposed noise-pollution ordinances • SEMA created the ‘Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus’ enlisting members of congress to support their agenda • Enlist motorcycle enthusiast clubs to lobby on their behalf

Magnaflow • Market loud pipes for SUVs including the Hummer • Do you want this in your neighborhood?

Flowmaster Mufflers • Noise as a selling point to market hot-rod mufflers • Product Placement – MTV • Pimp My Ride – History Channel • Full Throttle – Discovery Channel • • American Chopper American Hot Rod Biker Build-Off Monster Garage

Legal Considerations • Modifying the muffler is illegal and enforceable by the police in most states • Disabling the catalytic converter is illegal in all states • Most aftermarket exhaust systems sold by retailers are marked to indicate that they are not street-legal and intended for off-road use or track use

Law Enforcement • Officers – Charged but not always mandated to enforce laws – Not educated on the harms of noise pollution – Overwhelmed by the problem • Attitudes – – Reluctant to take action Little regard for noise pollution Need to be educated on harms of noise Own modified exhaust systems in civilian motorcycles and cars

Legal Considerations • In 2002, former California Governor Gray Davis signed into law legislation that changes the way vehicles are measured for exhaust system noise – SEMA heavily lobbied for the law to be changed and managed to convince pro-business and hot-rod enthusiast politicians to sponsor and pass the bill – Law changes the decibel standard to A-weighted that fails to measure the presence and intensity of very low frequency sound – Officers no longer have the authority to fine offenders if their vehicle exhaust systems are plainly audible

Solutions • Do not approach or attempt to reason with bikers or motorists • Take down their license plate number and call the police • Talk to your neighbors and organize • Find out what noise ordinance is in place and if they require strengthening • Lobby the city council or the community board in your area to increase police patrols and fines for offenders

Learn More about Noise. OFF • Sign up at Noise. OFF. org and learn how others are working to reduce noise pollution in their own community • Yahoo! Groups where you can discuss and meet other members • Join a vibrant community of concerned citizens just like you

Landscaping

Landscaping • • • Yard work is healthy exercise Activity that involves the entire family Strengthens neighbor relations Increases property values Improves the community

Gas Powered Equipment • Some homeowners opt for noisy gas powered two-stroke mowers, hedgers, trimmers and leaf blowers or hire professional landscapers – Ruining the peace of suburbs all over the country – Loud grating noise from a leaf blower can be heard a block away – Families looking for peace and quiet in their own property are denied that right by their own neighbors – Creates exhaust and blows particulate pollution

Landscaping • Leaf blowers should be completely banned • Alternatives for other types of lawn equipment – Electric lawn equipment • • Produce far less noise pollution More reliable Require less maintenance Cost less than fuel-based counterparts – Hand powered equipment • Newer models are much easier to use

Leaf Blowers • Blow ‘Particulate Matter’ – – – – Dust Fertilizers Pesticides Insects Spores Molds Fecal Matter Gas powered models also burn mixed combination of gas and oil fuel that create toxic exhaust

Safety and Health Concerns • People who cannot tolerate the noise or suffer from allergies are captive in their own homes • Young children are at risk because their immune system is not yet fully developed and they are more susceptible to asthma • Elderly people exposed to airborne contaminants experience severe lung and respiratory problems • Leaf blower operators are putting themselves at greater risk because of the direct exposure to airborne pollutants

The Money Trail • Manufacturers – – – – Black & Decker Ryobi Stihl Echo Incorporated Toro Craftsman John Deere

The Money Trail • Retailers – Sears – Lowe's – Home Depot • These companies are well aware of the air and noise pollution their products cause

The Money Trail • California Landscape Contractors Association – Released position statement acknowledging the serious environmental harm caused by leaf blowers – Advocate use because it would otherwise hurt profits – Little regard for people’s health • California communities banning leaf blowers – – Beverly Hills Santa Monica Laguna Beach Berkeley

Toy Leaf Blowers • In the spirit of fun and safe play, John Deere licensed its brand to a toy company to produce toy leaf blowers • Actually blows air

Legal Considerations • Trade groups – Working to oppose environmental legislation – Environmental evidence against them is overwhelming • Communities – Enacting legislation banning leaf blowers – Public support is growing

Solutions • Find other neighbors in your area who are also disturbed by leaf blowers and together, talk to the offending neighbor about the problem and win their support • Approaching noisy neighbors – – – Good diplomacy Offer information Answer questions Encourage alternative solutions Appeal to their better nature

Solutions • Organize and lobby your local community board to pass an ordinance against leaf blowers • Most communities have some type of noise ordinance in place and you should know what they are and if they require strengthening

Learn More about Noise. OFF • Sign up at Noise. OFF. org and learn how others are working to reduce noise pollution in their own community • Yahoo! Groups where you can discuss and meet other members • Join a vibrant community of concerned citizens just like you

Engine Brakes

Engine Brakes • Most people have no idea what an engine brake is, but they know it when they hear it • Deafening bellowing noise that semi trucks produce when they slow down • Engine brakes also known as – Jake Brake – Retarder • Jake Brake takes its name from the manufacturer who invented most common implementation of the technology, Jacobs Vehicle Systems

Why Engine Brakes • Semi trucks can weigh forty tons • Standard wheel brakes results in expensive wear and tear • Engine brakes causes no wear and tear • Device is installed on top of diesel engine and operator uses a switch to activate it • Used in downhill situations to keep rig moving at controlled speed

How Does It Work • Jacobs Engine Brake used in large diesel trucks • Locks down engine exhaust valve during the exhaust stroke and increases resistance delivered to piston • Turns a power-producing engine into a powerabsorbing air compressor to slow down the truck • Sudden release of pressure creates an explosive roaring staccato noise that can be heard hundreds of feet away.

Engine Brakes • Without an installed muffler system to mitigate the noise, it is a serious noise pollution hazard • Operators do not properly maintain vehicles or install an illegal straight pipe in place of standard muffler • Truckers sometimes intentionally use the brake to make noise

Jake Brakes Prohibited • Communities are now posting signs banning the use of Jake Brakes in an effort to protect its citizens • Syringa, Idaho

Safety and Health Concerns • Noise produced by a Jake Brake is a nightmare for people who live near highways / truck routes • People exposed to this type of noise on a daily basis lose sleep, experience depression and hypertension • Occupational hazard to truckers as prolonged exposure can result in permanent hearing loss

The Money Trail • Manufacturers of engine brakes is – Jacobs Vehicle Systems – Voith Turbo • Well aware of the negative environmental impact their products have

Jake Brake Device • Installed on top of a diesel engine • Noise can be heard hundreds of feet away • Families who live near truck routes suffer at all hours of the day and night

Legal Considerations • Some municipalities install signs banning use of engine brakes • Some municipalities require the officer personally monitor and measure the amount of noise with a sound meter before issuing summons • Most communities and law enforcement do not understand the problem

Legal Considerations • EPA needs to be actively involved in protecting the public – Solution beyond the reach of local and state governments – Problem is getting worse

Solutions • People may not know what an engine brake is, but know what it sounds like • Talk to your neighbors and organize • Most communities have some type of noise ordinance in place and you should know what they are and if they require strengthening • Lobby the city council or the community board in your area to increase police patrols and fines for offenders

Learn More about Noise. OFF • Sign up at Noise. OFF. org and learn how others are working to reduce noise pollution in their own community • Yahoo! Groups where you can discuss and meet other members • Join a vibrant community of concerned citizens just like you

Our Agenda

Our Agenda • You have the right to peace and quiet in your own home and to live in a peaceful community • Working to reduce the blight of noise pollution in communities everywhere • Outlaw boom cars, car alarms and loud muffler pipes on all vehicles • Restrict the sale and use of consumer products that exceed certain noise levels

Our Agenda • Increase public awareness that noise pollution is a serious problem • Enact laws and promote effective enforcement to protect the public • Hold accountable individuals, businesses and special interest groups who violate the rights of the people • Work on all levels of the government

Public Education and Awareness • Families who suffer from noise pollution in their own homes know little about the problem in general or what do about it • We provide information and resources to empower citizens to take action in their own community

Public Education and Awareness • Citizens – Entitled to environmental protection from noise pollution – Should know the laws in their community and who their elected representatives are – Mindful about noise pollution and how it might affect our community – Should research the issue and enlist the support of friends, neighbors and local representatives

Media Outreach • Present facts honestly and directly to the media • Noise Industry – Uses public relations firms to spin the media – Have little regard for the rights of the public – Have lots of money • Collect facts about the noise industry – We expose them and hold them accountable – We have the truth and that is something they cannot buy

Reduce Public Demand • Encourage use of equipment that do not cause noise pollution • Protest and boycott businesses that blatantly promote noise pollution • Work with manufacturers and installers – Who act in good faith – Hold them to a set of standards to protect the public

Reduce Public Demand • Boomers, Bikers and Hot-Rodders – Cause most of the noise pollution we suffer from – Courted by trade groups such as SEMA to lobby against noise pollution ordinances on their behalf – Does not reflect the interests of the greater community

Governmental Legislation • Create effective noise pollution laws – Political lobbying – Partnering with other environmental groups – Problem is beyond the reach of local and state governments – EPA needs to be actively involved in protecting the public from noise pollution that is getting worse

Governmental Legislation • Legislators charged with protecting the public are overwhelmed by the noise industry's financial and political power – Industry spends huge sums of money to hire lobbyists to win legislation – Action is based on financial or public pressure – We will pressure law makers to protect the rights of the public

Governmental Legislation • Local noise ordinances often cannot be enforced – Written in a way that the police must measure the noise violation with a decibel meter or measure the noise level from a specific distance – Offenders often lower the noise when police are nearby and then turn it back up when the police are away • Change the way noise ordinances are written so that it is actionable by law enforcement

Law Enforcement • Police – – Responsible for enforcing noise ordinances Police need to do a better job Require education and support to be more effective Sometimes perpetuate the problem because they own vehicles with modified pipes, boom cars and car alarms that go off intermittently – Officers do not always have the authority or departmental mandate to effectively handle noise pollution complaints

Law Enforcement • Public Perceptions – Police departments not always receptive to public inquiry or demands for better enforcement – People sometimes afraid of dealing with the police for fear of retaliation – We need to change attitudes and perceptions so that the police can do a better job protecting the community

Learn More about Noise. OFF • Sign up at Noise. OFF. org and learn how others are working to reduce noise pollution in their own community • Yahoo! Groups where you can discuss and meet other members • Join a vibrant community of concerned citizens just like you

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions • Is noise pollution a health issue? – Yes, exposure to daily levels of noise pollution causes hearing loss, hypertension, increased blood pressure and headaches – Excessive noise causes depression in many people and can lead to loss of productivity and even violence – When people lose sleep at night, it affects their day

Frequently Asked Questions • If you don't like noise, why not move away? – Noise pollution is everywhere – Families moved out of cities to suburbs because of the noise from car alarms, boom cars and nightclubs – Gas powered lawn equipment such as leaf blowers ruined the tranquility that once made suburbs so attractive – One noisy neighbor can ruin a neighborhood

Frequently Asked Questions • Does the EPA regulate noise pollution standards? – Yes, they are charged with protecting the public – In the 70 s, EPA created the Office of Noise Abatement – In the 80 s, funding was stopped funding and the office closed – EPA needs to be involved in reducing noise pollution – Problem is worse than ever

Frequently Asked Questions • Why is noise pollution such a contentious issue? – Some people feel that they have the inalienable right to make all the noise they want in public and on their own property – Some people are less sensitive to hearing than others, possibly caused by hearing damage – People who do not experience noise pollution in their own environment do not take the issue seriously

Frequently Asked Questions • Why is noise pollution such a contentious issue? – Poor families often live in densely populated environments with lots of noise pollution, and affluent families live in less populated environments that are quiet – Poor families are not well represented on environmental issues and they suffer in silence. – Trade groups and special interests try to marginalize noise pollution activists in an effort to protect their financial interests

Frequently Asked Questions • Isn't this a free speech issue? – United States Constitution Bill of Rights: • Amendment I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. – People have the right to listen to whatever they want – Your rights to not be a captive audience to other peoples’ free speech is also protected

Frequently Asked Questions • Don’t people have the right to make noise? – People do not have absolute rights to do anything they want on their property – We all share a common environment and we have limited rights to ensure our mutual quality of life – Noise ordinances • • Quality of Life Environmental Landscape Property Values Neighbor Relations

Frequently Asked Questions • Any chance of reducing noise pollution in the near future? – As a coalition of concerned people all around the country and abroad, we are building momentum that will lead to positive change – It's a tough fight, but we have a strong desire to restore our rights as citizens – With your support, we can make that happen

Learn More about Noise. OFF • Sign up at Noise. OFF. org and learn how others are working to reduce noise pollution in their own community • Yahoo! Groups where you can discuss and meet other members • Join a vibrant community of concerned citizens just like you