County aims to silence noise pollution

The Baltimore Sun

Anne Arundel has become the first county in Maryland to enforce the state's more stringent noise pollution laws, County Executive John R. Leopold said this week.

Under the agreement forged with Maryland Secretary of the Environment Shari T. Wilson, police can fine people up to $10,000 for each day they are cited for exceeding 65 decibels from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., and 75 decibels at other times.

Previously, the county noise ordinances did not have specified decibel limits.

"If it's a one-time, brief, loud noise, that's usually not going to cause a great deal of heartburn," Leopold said in an interview. "If it's a sustained level of noise, then it would be addressed by the police."

George Harman of the Maryland Department of the Environment's Environmental Assessment and Standard Program said most violators voluntarily comply with police orders to quiet down to avoid the fine.

In the course of the program, which started in the 1970s, only one fine has been issued, which was reduced to $1,000 on appeal.

At the county level, an officer must witness the act, just like a traffic violation, to cite an infraction. The county focus for enforcement will be on nighttime noise in residential neighborhoods, Leopold said.

Earlier this month, MDE loaned a noise meter to the county and six officers have been trained to use it.

Although one meter will probably not be enough to enforce the law, Harman acknowledged, the county could look into buying more. By bringing in local governments to enforce state law, the noise abatement process will be more efficient, Harman said.

rochelle.mcconkie@baltsun.com

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