Santa Monica : Anti-Noise Hot Line Urged

Got a gripe about noisy cement trucks or jackhammers piercing the tranquillity of your home or office?

City Councilwoman Christine Reed may have the answer. Reed wants to set up a telephone hot line for residents with complaints about noise from construction sites or after-hours construction. Building is not permitted before 7 a.m. or on Sundays.

Reed said residents often feel guilty calling police with these kinds of complaints, which could better be handled by building inspectors.

Reed also urged that violators be punished with something more than a ticket. Construction companies might be forced to close for a day, for example.

“We have the enforcement authority of stopping the work on a project,” Reed said. “We ought to use that authority more often.”

The telephone number for the hot line would be posted on construction notice signs. The City Council voted Tuesday night to have its staff work out the details.