June 19, 2009
Shortly after the clock strikes midnight Saturday Night, at 1:45 AM Sunday Morning, it will officially be Summer in Woodhaven. And with the arrival of summer comes a few other things. Most of them are good -- barbecues, trips to the beach, evening spent outside enjoying the weather. All wonderful things that give us a brief respite from the daily grind. But, the flip side of the coin is one of the top quality-of-life complaints that residents of Woodhaven have. And that complaint is . .
Most of us have been around the J Train our whole lives, two hundred tons of metal roaring over our heads every ten minutes. We're used to noise. So it's not like we complain lightly about noise pollution -- but it does seem to be getting worse these days. At the recent area meetings -- the 102nd Precinct Community Council Meeting on Tuesday and the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association Meeting on Wednesday -- noise was a hot topic. The complaints about noise seem to be generally broken down into 3 categories:
3. Barking dogs
2. House parties
1. Music from passing cars
At the meeting of 102nd Precinct Community Council a number of residents took their complaints straight to the top, addressing Captain Charles McEvoy of the 102. As a side note, this is a great benefit of these meetings -- the opportunity to address the issues that matter to you directly with the people in position to help.
In our first video, one resident complains about a party that regularly takes place over two blocks away from his house -- yet it's still way too loud. Later, another resident complains about music from passing cars. Here's what Captain McEvoy had to say:
As noted in the video, we used to have "noise cars" that were put out there specifically to crack down on noise pollution. But it became such a widespread problem that they had to spread the duties amongst all of the active units. It's also noted that quite often, if they can't get to the location in time to quell the noise, they will return during the week and issue a warning.
One issue that appeared to be a source of frustration for residents was the lack of response from 311 with regard to noise issues. In fact, when you call 311 they promise you action within 8 hours . . . which by that time, it's usually too late. Council President Maria Thomson borrowed the microphone from Captain McEvoy and gave everyone this piece of advice.
Don't call 311. Call the precinct. 805-3200.
At the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association Meeting on Wednesday, our beat cop, Officer Jeff Fisher -- who is on the verge of retiring -- also fielded questions on noise. Officer Fisher gave us a good breakdown of how they're staffed to handle such complaints. Basically, there are 2 separate "conditions units" that are on patrol -- they are separate from the usual patrol. Between them, they should be able to get a good handle on this problem -- but they'll have a much easier time of it if they know where the trouble spots are. Again, you can always call 311 and get a trouble ticket -- and they will eventually respond. And that's probably how you should handle it if it's a first time incident. But for a recurring problem, you should call the precinct. Here's Officer Fisher addressing the residents of Woodhaven:
Later in our video he addresses the noise coming from passing cars. If you don't know Officer Fisher, you've seen him on Jamaica Avenue, quite often driving one of those small 3-wheel vehicles. We've seen him warning teenagers about the noise coming from their cars -- and we've seen him giving out summonses.
He fielded a few other interesting questions. One was about what time they consider it to be too late to be "loud." Officer Fisher made it a point that there is no time limit. Loud at 4 PM is loud at 4 AM. So if someone is having a party and the noise is way too loud, don't feel you have no right to complain just because it isn't past 10 PM. The other question was about noise meters. Officer Fisher explains that they do have them - but that you need to be trained how to use them. Typically, he said, they are used to measure noise at places of business, such as a bar.
As for barking dogs, it is recommended that you call Animal Control. They have their own units which respond to such matters, and the expertise to do so.
And if you aren't getting any relief by calling 311 -- or by calling the precinct -- come to one of these meetings and speak up. Combat your noise problem by making some noise yourself! Or, let one of the members of the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association know (718-296-3735) and they will contact the 102nd Precinct for you.
If you have any comments, or would like to suggest other projects, drop us a line at info@projectwoodhaven.com or projectwoodhaven@aol.com.
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