Leslie Ghiz stood up for neighborhoods this week when she introduced an ordinance that will increase the penalties for people who violate the loud car stereo ordinance. The bi-partisan ordinance, which Leslie Ghiz co-sponsored with Councilmember Cecil Thomas, will considerably raise the penalties for those who violate this law giving the police the ability to impound vehicles. “One of the major complaints I hear from community leaders is about these over-bearing car stereos,” Ghiz said. “Councilmember Thomas and I were able to work with these residents and hash out this proposal.”Audio terrorists??? Uhh...that's overplaying it just a bit I think... Granted, I do think this is a quality of life issue that needs to be addressed; I do think it ought not be put in the same category as
Ghiz introduced the new ordinance at the Law and Public Safety Committee, where she serves as Vice-Chair and Thomas serves as Chairman. During Tuesday’s committee meeting Ghiz spoke about this action as one more step in protecting Cincinnati neighborhoods. This law has the support of community leaders from neighborhoods across the city. “I hope this will put an end to the people driving through my neighborhood and rattling my windows with their loud car stereos,” Pete Witte, President of the Price Hill Civic Club said.
The law also has the support of the Cincinnati Police Department. “We will support any recommendations for enhancing this valuable tool that affects the quality of life for the citizens of Cincinnati,” a Police Spokesman said. And State Rep. Tyrone K. Yates sent a letter of support to Leslie Ghiz for taking this bold step, and stating that he is drafting legislation similar to the City’s law on a state-wide level.
By raising the penalties for these type offenses, Ghiz has put Cincinnati on par with other cities in the region. Currently Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis and Akron all include the option of impounding vehicles for violating their loud car stereo law. In Chicago, the Police Department has found the impound penalty very effective in reducing incidents of audio neighborhood blight.
Here is what one blogger from Politics Extra Blog on the Cincinnati Enquirer website had to say:
With all the campaign rhetoric about quality of life in the neighborhoods and promises to make fighting crime the #1 priority, there appears to be a conspiracy of silence about the boom car noise scourge, which is inseparable from both of these issues. Police and officials in other cities recognize the connection and find that cracking down on boom cars reduces crime…in Cincinnati, boom cars have free rein to cruise the streets…destroying the quality of life, lowering property values…Will you put some teeth in City Ordinance 910-10 and demand that police stop coddling these audio terrorists and enforce the law with zero-tolerance?
And check out this quote from State Rep. Tyrone Yates:
"No citizen, young or old, Black or White, has the right to disturb their neighbors and fellow drivers. I recommend a stronger ordinance with equally strong enforcement."Just wait until the numbers start pouring in on who gets charged with this... No justice, no peace...indeed.
