Santa Ana Hopes Crackdown on Noise Speaks Volumes

Don’t pump up the volume in Santa Ana.

Police are cracking down on people who bother their neighbors with loud music by imposing fines and seizing the stereo equipment of repeat offenders.

The effort comes after a study found that police responded to more than 2,000 complaints of loud music in the first six months of the year, which officials consider a waste of limited law enforcement resources.

Residents will find letters from the Police Department in their water bills this month reminding them that city law “prohibits loud and raucous noise from sound-making or amplifying devices.”

Police have always had the ability under city code to fine loud partyers as much as $105 and take away their stereo equipment. But officials said the sheer volume of noise complaints is forcing them to aggressively enforce the rules.

“We started to take a look at the numbers, and we were spending an awful lot of time and not getting a big bang for the buck,” Santa Ana Police Lt. Chuck Magdalena said. “We want to make sure everybody understands the law.”

Community activists expressed general support for the police effort.

“I’m so glad,” said Rueben Martinez, owner of Martinez Books and Art Gallery in downtown Santa Ana. “The noise level has to be cut down. Sometimes the music is louder than heck.”

Art Montez, a Santa Ana resident and Latino rights activist, said police need to enforce rules fairly and not target certain neighborhoods.

“The question arises about the conduct of the police and where they carry out [enforcement] geographically,” he said. “This is something that could add to the quality of life” if done correctly.

Most of the loud-music calls stem from weekend or holiday parties, especially those held outdoors. Usually, the music comes from stereos, but police also have responded to calls involving disc jockeys and even live bands, Magdalena said.

“People don’t realize they are infringing on the rights of surrounding communities,” Police Sgt. Steve Despenas said.

Officers can spend as long as 45 minutes dealing with a noise complaint. Two officers are usually dispatched in case there’s an argument.

“Sometimes there’s liquor involved,” Magdalena said. “There could be a situation where they challenge police authority.”

The Anaheim Police Department also has the option of confiscating stereo equipment if the party host refuses to lower his or her music. If police have to be called out a second time, offenders can be fined and charged for the officers’ time. On a recent Saturday night, the department responded to 43 loud-music calls.