Police Chief: Loud Stereo Bill Needs Hearing

Tampa's police chief is urging neighborhood groups and residents to be loud and clear with lawmakers about supporting a bill to enable police to cite motorists whose car stereos blare loudly.

Tampa Police Chief Jane E. Castor sent an email to neighborhood groups this to say that the .

But now it's stalled in the the House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee.

Castor wrote to neighborhood groups:

"The loud car stereo bill made it out the of the senate transportation committee and is now stuck in the house. Despite a great deal of pressue, Rep. Daniel Davis has not pushed the bill through his committee. He has given no reason for the lack of movement. If the bill is not calendared by next week it will die."

Castor is behind an initiative by the Florida Police Chiefs Association to amend existing law by defining disruptive noise as "plainly audible from 25 feet or more from a vehicle."

"As it stands, loud noise from cars is one of our biggest quality of life complaints and there is literally nothing we can do about it," Castor said in a previous email.

The Tampa Police Department receives between 250 and 300 complaints every year relating to loud car stereos. 

To share your views on House Bill 1019, "Loud Car Stereos," contact Daniel Davis, who chairs the House Highway Safety Committee. Phone is 850-717-5015.

For more information

Contact the Florida Police Chiefs Association, P.O. Box 14038, Tallahassee, FL 32317. Phone: 850-219-3631. Email: amercer@fpca.com