Have you ever experienced trunk-thumping music from a vehicle driving so close to your home that the noise shook your house or vibrated your inner ear?

To add to the insult, some of the songs are accompanied by rappers who use an excess of foul language. I like music as much as the next person but not when it sounds like mega-amplified war drums.

City council members across America should take note of a bill likely to be passed by the St. Louis aldermen that will require stiff fines for loud stereo music coming from a vehicle. The ordinance closely resembles one in Chicago, which was passed partly to reverse the massive departure of residents who are leaving the city to get away from the noise pollution.

The law will allow police to impound the vehicle if the music can be heard 75 or more feet away from its source. Offenders will be fined $250 for the first time and $500 for subsequent offenses that same year. A penalty of community service may be assessed instead of the fine.

Drivers whose vehicles are impounded will be charged $500 plus towing and storage fees. This ordinance beats the measly $10 fine that some cities assess. This law is worth consideration as no person has the constitutional right to contaminate the airwaves with ear-splitting din.

Town residents have a right to peace and quiet in their neighborhoods. We don’t want to see people moving out of their rightful neighborhoods because of excessive stereo thunder.



Tom Proebsting

Moberly, Mo.