July 7, 2008
Dear Hassan and Roger,
Yesterday our residents experienced a great deal of loud noise that came from a picnic group at Fort Ward Park. I wanted to let you know that we have tried to follow your suggestions for deal with these repeated violations of the City of Alexandria Noise Ordinance and we have not made any progress. We would appreciate your personal involvement in addressing our ongoing concerns about the noise levels coming from the park.
This weekend our residents began hearing loud, amplified music and speaking coming from the picnic area closest to Braddock Road and St. Stephens-St. Agnes School. Our residents could hear the music and loud yelling inside their enclosed homes. Given that our homes along Ellicott Street are more than 1,000 feet away from the picnic pavilion the decibel levels far exceed those that are permissible under the Alexandria City Noise Ordinance.
Some of our residents got in their car and drove around Fort Ward Park to see what was going on. On the far side of the park toward St. Stephens, there were approximately 200 people. Large sound speakers and microphones were being used for music and speeches. Cars were parked double, and some were so far from any legitimate parking space that drivers had to get off the road to pass them.
This event was very similar to the event held at this same location on June 22, 2008 which I spoke, and complainted, to you and your staffs about.
Yesterday, following the direction we received from you Roger, a number of our residents called the non-emergency Alexandria Police Department line, filed complaints, and asked the Police Department to enforce the City Noise Ordinance. At least five calls were made between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. about this disturbance. Although we were assured by the officer taking the calls that a patrol car would be dispatched the noise continued throughout the afternoon and early evening.
The people had a noise permit, so they could basically make as much noise as they like. The police department has no real basis for enforcement of what is happening in Fort Ward. (2) Is it legal for people at such a party to park anywhere they like on the road through Fort Ward, including the middle of the road, and leave their car. The officer wasn't too bright, so he has problems with that question. He said that people could park anywhere that it's not specifically prohibited. I said, if that's the case, can I park my car in the middle of Braddock Road and leave it? No, he said, that would violate the law. But he couldn't tell me why Fort Ward was a different case. I said I hoped that the police would enforce what must be a law against parking anywhere on the public road in Fort Ward. I pointed out that I had to leave the road at one point to get around a car and, while dodging people milling on the road, almost hit a park sign. --In general, we've got to get the City Council or the right people involved to develop regulations on park noise. The present "noise permit" is a carte blanche joke to make as much noise as the people at the party want. It seems to be the responsibility of the park people to write the regs (that's how I read the law). If that's the case, then who above Walter Powell or what specific lawyer on the city payroll is the person who should actually write the regs. -- As I put it in a bottom line to the officer, I want to live in a neighborhood, not a discotheque. I'm not sure he understood or cared about the difference. --Dennis
Dear Hassan and Roger,
Yesterday our residents experienced a great deal of loud noise that came from a picnic group at Fort Ward Park. I wanted to let you know that we have tried to follow your suggestions for deal with these repeated violations of the City of Alexandria Noise Ordinance and we have not made any progress. We would appreciate your personal involvement in addressing our ongoing concerns about the noise levels coming from the park.
This weekend our residents began hearing loud, amplified music and speaking coming from the picnic area closest to Braddock Road and St. Stephens-St. Agnes School. Our residents could hear the music and loud yelling inside their enclosed homes. Given that our homes along Ellicott Street are more than 1,000 feet away from the picnic pavilion the decibel levels far exceed those that are permissible under the Alexandria City Noise Ordinance.
Some of our residents got in their car and drove around Fort Ward Park to see what was going on. On the far side of the park toward St. Stephens, there were approximately 200 people. Large sound speakers and microphones were being used for music and speeches. Cars were parked double, and some were so far from any legitimate parking space that drivers had to get off the road to pass them.
This event was very similar to the event held at this same location on June 22, 2008 which I spoke, and complainted, to you and your staffs about.
Yesterday, following the direction we received from you Roger, a number of our residents called the non-emergency Alexandria Police Department line, filed complaints, and asked the Police Department to enforce the City Noise Ordinance. At least five calls were made between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. about this disturbance. Although we were assured by the officer taking the calls that a patrol car would be dispatched the noise continued throughout the afternoon and early evening.
The people had a noise permit, so they could basically make as much noise as they like. The police department has no real basis for enforcement of what is happening in Fort Ward. (2) Is it legal for people at such a party to park anywhere they like on the road through Fort Ward, including the middle of the road, and leave their car. The officer wasn't too bright, so he has problems with that question. He said that people could park anywhere that it's not specifically prohibited. I said, if that's the case, can I park my car in the middle of Braddock Road and leave it? No, he said, that would violate the law. But he couldn't tell me why Fort Ward was a different case. I said I hoped that the police would enforce what must be a law against parking anywhere on the public road in Fort Ward. I pointed out that I had to leave the road at one point to get around a car and, while dodging people milling on the road, almost hit a park sign. --In general, we've got to get the City Council or the right people involved to develop regulations on park noise. The present "noise permit" is a carte blanche joke to make as much noise as the people at the party want. It seems to be the responsibility of the park people to write the regs (that's how I read the law). If that's the case, then who above Walter Powell or what specific lawyer on the city payroll is the person who should actually write the regs. -- As I put it in a bottom line to the officer, I want to live in a neighborhood, not a discotheque. I'm not sure he understood or cared about the difference. --Dennis
No comments:
Post a Comment