‘Noise’ officer idea proposed
Schenectady official says it would combat growing city problem
The city can be a loud place, with thumping car stereos, motorcycles and loud mufflers constituting the urban soundtrack.
Now one lawmaker wants to silence the constant cacophony with a designated position on the city police force who will take a “zero tolerance” approach to noise pollution.
City Councilwoman Karen Zalewski-wildzunas is proposing a “noise enforcement officer” position as part of the city’s 2022 spending plan.
The proposed position would be joined by stricter penalties for violations of the city’s noise ordinance laws to address what the lawmaker called a “growing neighborhood problem.”
“This new position and strengthened penalties will provide law enforcement with additional tools to address this detrimental problem,” Zalewski-wildzunas said in a statement on Tuesday.
Zalewski-wildzunas is seeking a second full four-year term in November and is running on the Conservative Party line, carving out a pro-police position amid a crowded lineup of eight other candidates.
The lawmaker said broader enforcement paired with stricter fines will serve as a deterrent, as well as provide revenue that can be used to fund the position as well as “anti-noise marketing effort.”
Police Chief Eric Clifford acknowledged noise from homes and vehicles is a common complaint he hears from residents.
Police treat each call on a case-by-case basis and automatic ticketing isn’t the default solution, with officers directed to use discretion for first-time offenders and issue citations for repeat offenders.
“As with all quality-of-life issues, increased education is always helpful,” Clifford said. “Increased enforcement would be welcomed and would allow for better tracking of repeat offenders and the ability to determine if technology exists to assist with reducing noise pollution.”
Zalewski-wildzunas’s request comes days after city Mayor Gary Mccarthy introduced his preliminary 2022 budget, which calls for the restoration of 45 jobs that were left vacant across various departments last year amid pandemic-related cutbacks.
The City Council is scheduled to hold a series of budget workshops beginning Tuesday, Oct. 12 to hash out the tentative $97.36 million spending plan.