Crime & Safety
Will Council Ease Loud Noises in Seminole Heights?
The Council may clarify local ordinances to make them easier for police to enforce.
The Tampa City Council is getting the message loud and clear: Residents want stronger ordinances to limit loud noises. They're affecting quality of life in neighborhoods, from South Tampa to Seminole Heights.
On April 18, the Council is set to discuss the current rules on the books, after some residents pressured members for better enforcement, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
At issue is a local ban that limits noise when it reaches certain decibels, but police officers do not have decibel readers in their vehicles. They're expensive.
Find out what's happening in Seminole Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A new proposal would ban noise that is "plainly audible" from a certain distance.
This type of ban is being lobbied for at the state Legislature regarding car stereos, and is supported by Tampa's police chief.
This week the Council talked about changing the current noise ordinance as it applies to noise coming from homes, yards and buildings, to make it more practical for officers to enforce.
Find out what's happening in Seminole Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Council is likely to have some recommendations when it takes up the issue again in April.
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