Elkhart, Indiana: Noise Control Success Story
Noise Free America
May 30, 2013
If you're looking for a story about crime, drugs, the police, and community deterioration, this is the story for you.
The anti-noise program in Elkhart, Indiana has attracted the attention of policymakers from all over the nation and the world. It is the story of tragedy and triumph.
Elkhart, Ind., a municipality of 52,000 citizens located 20 miles from the University of Notre Dame, has the nation’s strongest anti-noise ordinance. Since 1998, Elkhart police have issued 7,000 tickets, generating more than $1,050,000 in fines. The lessening noise levels have improved the community’s quality of life and reduced crime.
In 2008, Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore told the Common Council: “We are determined to eradicate noise pollution in our city, from boom boxes, broken mufflers, train whistles, loud motorcycles, and other sources by initiating a zero tolerance noise ordinance.”
The fines not only deter noise and punish noisemakers; they also fund the anti-noise program. Noise fine revenues have been used to purchase and equip three unmarked police vehicles, as well as to purchase dozens of black and white units with the latest computers, video, and recording equipment. Noise fine revenues are also used for anti-noise billboards and public service announcements.
Fines for noise violators in Elkhart are stiff:
$ 250: first offense
$ 500: second offense
$1000: third offense
$2500: fourth offense
Last year, Elkhart’s noise control officer did more drug busts than any other Elkhart police officer—and he was looking for noise violators, not drugs. Elkhart’s experience demonstrates the strong link between noise, guns, drugs, gangs, and crime.
Elkhart officials are enthusiastic about the anti-noise program. According to Police Chief Dale Pflibsen, “Elkhart’s nose ordinance has had a positive impact on the city’s quality of life.” Tim Balyeat, Elkhart’s assistant police chief, commented that “since the inception of the anti-noise program, Elkhart has become a quieter place to live.”
Bradley Vite, an Elkhart resident who led the campaign to institute the policy, said that “Elkhart’s anti-noise program is a great tool to reduce crime. Elkhart’s anti-noise officers have found meth labs, marijuana, cocaine, weapons, and individuals with outstanding warrants. Noise is a quality of life issue.” In addition, Vite noted that "noise has economic implications for a city, as it drives down property values. Noise is a very serious health issue. Noise is a growing concern throughout our country in the 21st century."
Vite concluded, "The actions of city government and the police have dramatically reduced noise. However, it is an ongoing, daily effort to maintain civility on our streets."
Ted Rueter, Noise Free America’s director, stated that “Elkhart’s anti-noise program is a model for the nation. The noisemakers themselves fund the program. If every community took noise enforcement seriously, crime and noise would both be reduced significantly.”
The following individuals are available to speak with your producers and reporters about Elkhart’s anti-noise program:
Mayor Dick Moore
Dick.Moore@coei.org
574-294-5471
Police Chief Dale Pflibsen
Dale.Pflibsen@elkhartpolice.org
574-295-7070
Noise Enforcement Officer Mike Bogart
Michael.Bogart@elkhartpolice.org
574-295-7070
Bradley Vite
Mayoral Advisor on Noise
bvitae@aol.com
574-293-1616
Ted Rueter
Noise Free America
www.noisefree.org
director@noisefree.org
877-664-7366
May 30, 2013
If you're looking for a story about crime, drugs, the police, and community deterioration, this is the story for you.
The anti-noise program in Elkhart, Indiana has attracted the attention of policymakers from all over the nation and the world. It is the story of tragedy and triumph.
Elkhart, Ind., a municipality of 52,000 citizens located 20 miles from the University of Notre Dame, has the nation’s strongest anti-noise ordinance. Since 1998, Elkhart police have issued 7,000 tickets, generating more than $1,050,000 in fines. The lessening noise levels have improved the community’s quality of life and reduced crime.
In 2008, Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore told the Common Council: “We are determined to eradicate noise pollution in our city, from boom boxes, broken mufflers, train whistles, loud motorcycles, and other sources by initiating a zero tolerance noise ordinance.”
The fines not only deter noise and punish noisemakers; they also fund the anti-noise program. Noise fine revenues have been used to purchase and equip three unmarked police vehicles, as well as to purchase dozens of black and white units with the latest computers, video, and recording equipment. Noise fine revenues are also used for anti-noise billboards and public service announcements.
Fines for noise violators in Elkhart are stiff:
$ 250: first offense
$ 500: second offense
$1000: third offense
$2500: fourth offense
Last year, Elkhart’s noise control officer did more drug busts than any other Elkhart police officer—and he was looking for noise violators, not drugs. Elkhart’s experience demonstrates the strong link between noise, guns, drugs, gangs, and crime.
Elkhart officials are enthusiastic about the anti-noise program. According to Police Chief Dale Pflibsen, “Elkhart’s nose ordinance has had a positive impact on the city’s quality of life.” Tim Balyeat, Elkhart’s assistant police chief, commented that “since the inception of the anti-noise program, Elkhart has become a quieter place to live.”
Bradley Vite, an Elkhart resident who led the campaign to institute the policy, said that “Elkhart’s anti-noise program is a great tool to reduce crime. Elkhart’s anti-noise officers have found meth labs, marijuana, cocaine, weapons, and individuals with outstanding warrants. Noise is a quality of life issue.” In addition, Vite noted that "noise has economic implications for a city, as it drives down property values. Noise is a very serious health issue. Noise is a growing concern throughout our country in the 21st century."
Vite concluded, "The actions of city government and the police have dramatically reduced noise. However, it is an ongoing, daily effort to maintain civility on our streets."
Ted Rueter, Noise Free America’s director, stated that “Elkhart’s anti-noise program is a model for the nation. The noisemakers themselves fund the program. If every community took noise enforcement seriously, crime and noise would both be reduced significantly.”
The following individuals are available to speak with your producers and reporters about Elkhart’s anti-noise program:
Mayor Dick Moore
Dick.Moore@coei.org
574-294-5471
Police Chief Dale Pflibsen
Dale.Pflibsen@elkhartpolice.org
574-295-7070
Noise Enforcement Officer Mike Bogart
Michael.Bogart@elkhartpolice.org
574-295-7070
Bradley Vite
Mayoral Advisor on Noise
bvitae@aol.com
574-293-1616
Ted Rueter
Noise Free America
www.noisefree.org
director@noisefree.org
877-664-7366
