The Big Apple Gets The Big Noise Code
Don't like noise? Then move to New York City, where the latest noise code cracks down on barking dogs, dustcarts, lawn mowers, pneumatic drills and (wait for it) even noisy iPods. Even Mr Softee ice cream vans can only activate their trademark jingles while moving. Mayor Michael Bloomberg pushed for the new laws to be approved in 2005, resulting in the first change in noise regulations in more than 30 years. And if you hear your car alarm going off while you're snoring, you'd better run out like an Olympic sprinter. You see, cars can be towed away if their alarm goes off for more than three minutes at night.
FOOTNOTE: One for the money, tow for the show.
12 comments:
I found this quite funny - call me cynical but maybe they could've tried banning guns instead - they're pretty loud, and they do a hell of a lot of more damage than a noisy i-pod.
NY is known for being noisey... are its inhabitants really that concerned?
Like Gautham noted, I'm sure they have other problems they'd like attending to.
Is it ever really about the people? So much for democracy... (dont tell the politicians i said that)
Hi Gautham,
You;re right on target - in more ways than one!
Cheers
David
Hi Ak-Man,
No, don;t worry, I won't tell Senor Bloomberg what you said!
I do see your point ...
Cheers
David
I hate the noise. While air pollution is my #1 concern (violence is way down still) it is the noise that causes us all to be on edge. I do tell people to turn down their radios on the subway and call the police about friggin car alarms.
Tell me, what is the purpose of the car alarm? Because when it goes off and stays on (I love that, off and on) ten to one the neighbors are cheering for the thieves because then the noise will stop. Heck, we'll offer them spare wire cutters.
Luckily, I live in a quiet part of Manhattan but working in Midtown it's a constant assault of noises, and sadly, you need to hear what's going on around you so no earplugs for me.
It is, in the end, a quality of life issue. While I'd prefer Bloomie focus on air pollution and the terrible outbreaks of asthma in areas such as East Harlem where the poor can't find the many trucking yards that continually open there, at least he pretends to do something.
Hi Victorya,
Loved the perspective of your comment and the reasoning behind it,
I can just picture the hardy New Yorkers cheering for the car thieves!
And you;re right - at least Mayor Bloomberg is doing something about the city that never sleeps!
Always a pleasure to hear from you.
Cheers
David
Who has a lawn mower in NYC??
As a former NYC resident, I say hurray for noise codes! The thing about noise is that it directly effects more people individually than guns. Therefore, I think more people complain about noise than guns.
dawn,
LOL! Believe it or not New York City has grassy lawns in the Parks.
Hi Dawn,
I'll have to come to NYC as a lawn mower statistician!
Cheers
David
Hi Darlene,
In reply to your first comment, I grew up in a really noisy city and now live in a very quiet city, so I can see the issue at hand.
In reply to your second comment to Dawn, it sounds like a lawn order situation to me!
Cheers
David
Something tells me the enforcement will be very spotty. As they make more laws and rules, the nanny state grows.
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