| What is the
Problem?
Excess noise awakens, angers and frustrates people. It disrupts communication, individual thoughts, and affects work performance. It can also pose serious health risks such as (1) hearing loss, (2) stress, and (3) threats to mental and social well being. Municipal Ordinances
Providence Code Chapter 16, Article III, sections 16-93.
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Did You Know?
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| Examples of Noise
The strength of sound is measured in units called decibels (dB). Although, what may seem loud to one person may not to another, loudness can be measured accurately with a decibel scale. The following are examples of some common sounds and their corresponding loudness measured in decibels:
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Current Fines for Noise
Violations
Increased fines toughen restrictions against noise. New ordinance revisions make the enforcement of noise violations easier for police. Uncontested noise violation $200 Repeat violation $300 Contested noise violation found guilty $500
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| Sources of Noise in
Providence
Night Clubs When the clubs close at 2 a.m. as many as 5,000 people empty on to the streets. Only two patrolmen are assigned specifically to the downtown area to direct traffic and discourage late-night cruising. Loud Music Both from homes and from cars, loud music signals a disregard for the common space that people share and causes daily problems. Motorcycles In the downtown area, motorcycle noise can range up to 110 decibels. In 1998, the Providence Police Department issued between 10 and 30 tickets a week in the downtown area and two additional motorcycle officers have been assigned for noise enforcement. Barking Dogs In the summer, excessive dog barking becomes a frequent problem. Animal Control and the Providence Police are responsible for insuring that a dog does not bark for longer than twenty minutes. Ice-cream Trucks Ice-cream trucks often blast announcements and music at high volumes during inappropriate hours of the morning and evening. |
| Noise Abatement
Strategies
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