| | | | | | | | | TO: | Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee Members |
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| FROM:
| Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
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| | DATE: | October 19, 2022
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| | SUBJECT: | DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CITY’S ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS RELATING TO NOISE EMANATING FROM VEHICLES, INCLUDING VEHICLE EXHAUSTS. |
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| | | | | | | | HISTORY:
| Commissioner Meiner placed an item for referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) on the September 14, 2022, City Commission Meeting agenda to discuss the City's overall enforcement efforts relating to noise emanating from vehicles, including vehicle exhausts. As part of this discussion item, Commissioner Meiner requested for the Administration to be prepared to advise on the total number of tickets issued for vehicle-related noise violations and how the City could increase its enforcement efforts to better address this important quality of life issue, particularly in residential areas experiencing the greatest amount of noise from vehicles.
In addition, Commissioner Meiner requested an update on the implementation of the noise detection device pilot program, which utilizes camera technology to gather and address noise emanating from vehicles |
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| The police department continues its ongoing efforts to address the community's quality of life concerns. On July 1, 2022, a Florida law was enacted prohibiting amplified sound at a distance greater than 25 feet from a motor vehicle. Between July 1, 2022 and September 22, 2022, the police department has written 46 traffic citations for this violation.
The police department recently conducted a Targeted Response to Area Concerns (TRAC) detail in the Mid-Beach area, specifically focusing on 46 Street to 63 Street along Collins Avenue. The proactive enforcement focused on loud music, and noise emanating from vehicles but also resulted in the enforcement of the following non-noise related offenses:
· Uniform Traffic Citations: 133
· Written Warnings: 20
· Tows: 5
· Parking Citations: 3
· Misdemeanor Arrests: 1
Additionally, on September 23, 2022, the MBPD commenced the Noise Enforcement & Abatement Team (NEAT), focusing on aggressive driving, stop sign violations, speed enforcement, loud music, and modified exhaust systems. So far, NEAT has issued sixty-seven traffic citations, ten of which were for loud music or modified exhaust systems.
The Department has also moved forward initiating a pilot program that involves the deployment of three loud noise detection cameras. These cameras, and their associated software platform, attempt to identify and capture images of vehicles that trigger a data recording process from the noise emanating from that vehicle. The data platform, and the trigger mechanism, is based on a pre-determined sound threshold. The system is intended to identify trends, to include locations and times of the day, where data-driven deployment of resources can be utilized to conduct targeted enforcement. These cameras were sourced out of the United Kingdom and are expected to arrive and be configured for deployment within the next 90 days. |
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION:
The police department will continue to address all traffic-related infractions to keep our roadways safe while also addressing quality of life concerns.
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | No | | No | |
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| | | | | | | | Strategic Connection
| | Neighborhoods - Prevent and solve crime for residents and visitors. |
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