Does anyone have something to measure sound levels?

[vfrride]

The bar across the street continues to feel that it's ok to play music very loud at 1 AM. I've been over there twice on weeknight to ask them to tone it down a little. I figure I'm going to give the owner a proposal

Comments

[tenner]

I figure I'm one of the people you think might have a decibel meter; sadly, I don't.

Good luck fighting the forces of evil. If they try to appease you by giving you free bottles of top-shelf Scotch or Irish whiskey, give me a call - I'll be there in under five minutes.

[vfrride]

You always have my back don't you tenner? ;)

That reminds me, I have a big bottle of tanqueray that has your name on it.

[mdsteele47]

This bad boy works with the TI graphing calculators... I would be shocked if someone at RPI didn't have one that they'd let you borrow (or let tenner borrow under the guise of using it in his classroom). The TI educational loan program lends them out as well to classroom teachers.

If you're really interested, Les Rubenfeld would be the person to contact on campus... and feel free to let him know that I sent you his way.

[lessan]

You might have better luck with 12am on weekdays instead of 11pm. I dunno. Its not ideal, but better then 1am.

Just a thought.

[miriamjoyce]

What's the city's noise ordinance? You'll want to have looked it up and know it cold before you go over.

Sadly, it would probably be easier to get them for something other than noise--code violations or underage drinking if there's any of either. Not that it's impossible.

For a noise complaint to have any momentum, you'll want to get the police receiving complaints from several people in the neighborhood. Do you know of others who would call?

Noise Ordinance

[vfrride]

What would I be looking for in the noise ordinance? I looked at it and it basically said, "Don't be noisy anytime". There's nothing about sound levels or times or anything specific. The fine is up to $250 and/or 15 days in jail.

Thanks!

Re: Noise Ordinance

[miriamjoyce]

It always helps to phrase your complaint with reference to the law. If it's got no specifics then I would definitely see if you can get other people to complain, because if it's a matter of interpretation it has to be more of a pain in the ass for the police to be getting the complaints than to bother to act on them, and they look much better doing it if it can't be put down to one person's idiosyncracies. (You know, those crazy people who like to sleep and stuff. The nerve.) Is there any kind of homeowner or neighborhood association in your area?

Re: Noise Ordinance

[vfrride]

No, there isn't a homeowners or neighborhood association other than perhaps the neighborhood watch.

I know that on one side of me is a woman with 2 school age children, and on the other is a woman with two toddlers. I'll have to talk to them next time I see them.