Laguna Noise Rules Revised to Include Musical Instruments

Despite protests from street musicians, the Laguna Beach City Council on Tuesday night revised its noise ordinance to include the playing of musical instruments.

The ordinance allows police officers to cite street musicians for disturbing “any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness” with loud music.

Laguna Beach Police Chief Neil Purcell emphasized that police officers would carry recording devices and would warn musicians about complaints before issuing a citation.

But about a dozen musicians protesting the ordinance at the council meeting said that it could lead to an abuse of power by police.

“There are some cops biased against certain people and this gives them too much power to abuse them,” said Clifford Mabra, a longtime resident of the city.

Mabra also submitted a petition signed by 450 Laguna Beach residents asking the council not to take this step.

The revised ordinance lists 12 conditions that a police officers must consider before issuing a citation, ranging from the level of noise to the proximity of hotels or homes and the time of day or night.

Purcell joined council members in stressing that the ordinance in no way banned music on the streets.

“I want to make clear this is not a ban, nor is it an attempt to discourage musicians from playing,” Purcell said. “Street musicians are part of the charm and ambience and will continue for a long time to come. This ordinance does strike a reasonable balance for protection of people’s rights.”