Can I make a noise complaint with the cops about a moving motor vehicle?
September 25, 2017 12:24 PM Subscribe
On the weekends, there are all these motorcyclists who rev their engines and drive around downtown, moving in a circuit. They aren't actually going anywhere. They just drive and rev and often the noise is quite ear-splitting. I know that you can file a noise complaint about a house party, but what about motorcyclists?
I recognize that it might be difficult for cops to address such complaints when the noise-maker is actually a moving target, so I was thinking that I might take up the hobby of renting an electric motorcycle, and following these "weekend warriors" around, so I can help cops triangulate where these aural offenders are. Either that, or follow them with an airhorn, blasting at them whenever they chose to rev. If they are allowed, legally, to make as much noise as they want, then an airhorn directed at their backside must be fine too. I guess what I'm asking is, is there anything legally I can do to stop these motorcyclists from continuing their loathsome weekend hobby? Or is there anything I can do to deter them, by following them around and making them look like the idiots they are?
I recognize that it might be difficult for cops to address such complaints when the noise-maker is actually a moving target, so I was thinking that I might take up the hobby of renting an electric motorcycle, and following these "weekend warriors" around, so I can help cops triangulate where these aural offenders are. Either that, or follow them with an airhorn, blasting at them whenever they chose to rev. If they are allowed, legally, to make as much noise as they want, then an airhorn directed at their backside must be fine too. I guess what I'm asking is, is there anything legally I can do to stop these motorcyclists from continuing their loathsome weekend hobby? Or is there anything I can do to deter them, by following them around and making them look like the idiots they are?
Can I make a noise complaint with the cops about a moving motor vehicle?
Yes. Have the motorcycle's license plate handy and be able to describe your location concisely. Be prepared for the police to do nothing.
I might take up the hobby of renting an electric motorcycle, and following these "weekend warriors" around
Don't do that, it's a waste of your time and won't help the cops. Further, there's a small chance the motorcyclists may take this badly and you may end up assaulted. Do you like to be followed when you're driving?
follow them with an airhorn, blasting at them whenever they chose to rev
You're not helping your cause by doing this and you're being an asshole to everyone else in the area.
posted by saeculorum at 12:33 PM on September 25, 2017 [24 favorites]
Yes. Have the motorcycle's license plate handy and be able to describe your location concisely. Be prepared for the police to do nothing.
I might take up the hobby of renting an electric motorcycle, and following these "weekend warriors" around
Don't do that, it's a waste of your time and won't help the cops. Further, there's a small chance the motorcyclists may take this badly and you may end up assaulted. Do you like to be followed when you're driving?
follow them with an airhorn, blasting at them whenever they chose to rev
You're not helping your cause by doing this and you're being an asshole to everyone else in the area.
posted by saeculorum at 12:33 PM on September 25, 2017 [24 favorites]
As with most law enforcement matters, this depends on your jurisdiction.
In places I've lived, there's been a pretty hefty fine associated with swapping out the stock exhaust pipes with louder, non-DOT-approved ones. This is rarely enforced, but if the police get enoug complaints about it, and you supply the officer police with the requisites city/county/state ordinances about this, and it is a slow night, they might do something.
They probably wont.
City council is likely a better avenue for complaints like this. This is usually really low on law enforcement's radar, as it were.
posted by furnace.heart at 12:34 PM on September 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
In places I've lived, there's been a pretty hefty fine associated with swapping out the stock exhaust pipes with louder, non-DOT-approved ones. This is rarely enforced, but if the police get enoug complaints about it, and you supply the officer police with the requisites city/county/state ordinances about this, and it is a slow night, they might do something.
They probably wont.
City council is likely a better avenue for complaints like this. This is usually really low on law enforcement's radar, as it were.
posted by furnace.heart at 12:34 PM on September 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
A non-trivial proportion of these guys will usually be off-duty cops.
As an individual you have no chance of stemming the tide, but your lowest level elected representative may listen to you if you can demonstrate that other people are as upset about it as you are.
posted by jamjam at 12:41 PM on September 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
As an individual you have no chance of stemming the tide, but your lowest level elected representative may listen to you if you can demonstrate that other people are as upset about it as you are.
posted by jamjam at 12:41 PM on September 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
Seconding city council - and take as many irate neighbors as you can round up.
The police know about this already, i.e., they can't NOT know about motorcycles riding a downtown circuit, and they're not doing anything.
posted by she's not there at 12:42 PM on September 25, 2017 [9 favorites]
The police know about this already, i.e., they can't NOT know about motorcycles riding a downtown circuit, and they're not doing anything.
posted by she's not there at 12:42 PM on September 25, 2017 [9 favorites]
If you target them with any type of noise making, that would eventually become harassment. In my jurisdiction there would nothing officials can or would do about this. It's annoying for sure, but one of those annoyances that probably come with living in a city unless your locale has laws about noises on cars during the day.
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 12:51 PM on September 25, 2017
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 12:51 PM on September 25, 2017
unless your locale has laws about noises on cars during the day.
Doesn't every city have laws about that?
posted by the agents of KAOS at 1:05 PM on September 25, 2017
Doesn't every city have laws about that?
posted by the agents of KAOS at 1:05 PM on September 25, 2017
I used to live in a posh neighborhood that had street signs banning "cruising" which I took to mean aimless driving around. (It wasn't "cruising for hookers" because I lived in that neighborhood previously.)
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:09 PM on September 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:09 PM on September 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
Doesn't every city have laws about that?
All I can say is that in a state where rolling coal and modified mufflers and the loudest possible bikes are a thing, if those laws do exist no one is enforcing them. We don't even have inspections for registrations here.
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 1:31 PM on September 25, 2017
All I can say is that in a state where rolling coal and modified mufflers and the loudest possible bikes are a thing, if those laws do exist no one is enforcing them. We don't even have inspections for registrations here.
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 1:31 PM on September 25, 2017
Ugggggghhhhhh I have this problem too, and unfortunately I agree with the city council approach. Also, if you're looking for anecdotal confirmation, it's getting worse. If bY any Chance you live in Santa Monica memail me and I'll help you storm the castle.
posted by Room 641-A at 5:11 PM on September 25, 2017
posted by Room 641-A at 5:11 PM on September 25, 2017
Also dealing with this. +1 elected representatives. Do not call or e-mail, not even to set up an appointment. Go in, nicely dressed, and with every expectation that someone is eager to listen to you and help you. If you are totally blocked off from talking to the lowliest functionary without an appointment, get an appointment. Keep on like this, and be sure to talk at length about its personal impact on you, the quality of life in the area, your property value, etc, etc; who wants to be the elected official in office when a neighbourhood turns into a dump people are fleeing? But, critically, make it easier for them to deal with the bike noise than to keep dealing with you, who is clearly not going to stop coming to the office (always smiling and assuming they are dying to help you) until the problem is sorted.
Also, buy an e-bike, put on a clown suit, and for god's sakes go zipping around with them tooting a loud horn. They are far too stupid to get the parody aspect, but you will be a hero to everyone who lives near the damned racket. Be polite and kind to the biker rejects and act like a bozo who thinks it's just a big fun time and everyone is invited to share in the fun. You might suddenly speak very limited English (this, I think, only works really well if you have some decent familiarity with a second language) if they are annoyed with you, while smiling and bowing and waving before taking off. If you have pissed neighbours with clown wigs and bike horns they should definitely join in. Like the police are going to show up and tell people that racket #1 is kosher but racket #2 is not (or, well, one never knows, but, then, call the local media).
It's on YouTube but I can't find it -- somewhere there is a clip of Cartman confronting this sort of crowd from some "South Park" episode, and he gives them a Cartman-style dressing-down, and it is kind of stress relieving to watch when they are at peak annoying. If you had the right speakers and projection equipment and that clip on a loop...hmm. I have considered things like this, up to and including a scrolling LED text sign in my window thanking people for remembering that it is a residential area, but will not hit that point until I have stopped putting on my best Complaining Clothes and escalating, escalating, escalating with City Hall. Huge bonus if you can even borrow a cute and articulate child who can say "I was (sniff) visiting Mummy's friend Sully and instead of playing Monopoly like we usually do I had a really really bad headache, I thought I was going to throw up, and I (sniff) had to go home. I would never do that when I grow up! It is very mean to the people who live there..." I am a highly entitled in-person complainer and my daughter tends to get dragged along a lot, and nobody has been rude enough to ignore a young girl inadvertently pointing out that them slacking on their job is making their life hard in some way. Also, the "keep showing up, polite and neat and always calm and reasonable, over and bloody over, following up with other forms of contact but continuing to hang out in their office, until they recognise that they can fix your problem or have you move in" rarely fails for all manner of bureaucratic and similar hassles.
If there is a place nearby that serves booze that is their watering hole, check your local liquor licensing laws. The ones here mention that the licensed establishment carries a surprising amount of responsibility for their patrons' behaviour going in and out of and hanging around outside the premises. I don't suppose there's a lawyer's office in the area? Fifteen minutes with one could be time very well spent; it was an attorney friend who tipped me off to going after the liquor license as well as bothering city hall.
posted by kmennie at 6:10 PM on September 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also, buy an e-bike, put on a clown suit, and for god's sakes go zipping around with them tooting a loud horn. They are far too stupid to get the parody aspect, but you will be a hero to everyone who lives near the damned racket. Be polite and kind to the biker rejects and act like a bozo who thinks it's just a big fun time and everyone is invited to share in the fun. You might suddenly speak very limited English (this, I think, only works really well if you have some decent familiarity with a second language) if they are annoyed with you, while smiling and bowing and waving before taking off. If you have pissed neighbours with clown wigs and bike horns they should definitely join in. Like the police are going to show up and tell people that racket #1 is kosher but racket #2 is not (or, well, one never knows, but, then, call the local media).
It's on YouTube but I can't find it -- somewhere there is a clip of Cartman confronting this sort of crowd from some "South Park" episode, and he gives them a Cartman-style dressing-down, and it is kind of stress relieving to watch when they are at peak annoying. If you had the right speakers and projection equipment and that clip on a loop...hmm. I have considered things like this, up to and including a scrolling LED text sign in my window thanking people for remembering that it is a residential area, but will not hit that point until I have stopped putting on my best Complaining Clothes and escalating, escalating, escalating with City Hall. Huge bonus if you can even borrow a cute and articulate child who can say "I was (sniff) visiting Mummy's friend Sully and instead of playing Monopoly like we usually do I had a really really bad headache, I thought I was going to throw up, and I (sniff) had to go home. I would never do that when I grow up! It is very mean to the people who live there..." I am a highly entitled in-person complainer and my daughter tends to get dragged along a lot, and nobody has been rude enough to ignore a young girl inadvertently pointing out that them slacking on their job is making their life hard in some way. Also, the "keep showing up, polite and neat and always calm and reasonable, over and bloody over, following up with other forms of contact but continuing to hang out in their office, until they recognise that they can fix your problem or have you move in" rarely fails for all manner of bureaucratic and similar hassles.
If there is a place nearby that serves booze that is their watering hole, check your local liquor licensing laws. The ones here mention that the licensed establishment carries a surprising amount of responsibility for their patrons' behaviour going in and out of and hanging around outside the premises. I don't suppose there's a lawyer's office in the area? Fifteen minutes with one could be time very well spent; it was an attorney friend who tipped me off to going after the liquor license as well as bothering city hall.
posted by kmennie at 6:10 PM on September 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
I used to live in a posh neighborhood that had street signs banning "cruising" which I took to mean aimless driving around
Actually it can be pretty specific. A busy town near me defines cruising as passing the "no cruising" sign more than three times in an evening, specifically to stop the looping traffic that OP describes.
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:40 PM on September 25, 2017
Actually it can be pretty specific. A busy town near me defines cruising as passing the "no cruising" sign more than three times in an evening, specifically to stop the looping traffic that OP describes.
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:40 PM on September 25, 2017
The cops totally know what's going on and consider themselves too busy with more important matters. Moving up the command chain and finding an elected or appointed official who can be your pain-in-the-ass-by-proxy is about the only recourse you have. Hope for someone with backbone who hates this kind of shit as much as you do AND who knows how to make stuff happen in your city.
Please, please, please - do not entertain any further fantasies of retaliation, pursuit, or parody, unless you are either a) okay with getting your ass kicked, and I don't mean like that one lunchroom fracas in junior high, or b) 100% confident you will prevail in a physical confrontation and its ensuing legal issues. At least one of the assholes you will encounter is itching for someone like you to come around, and they have practice in hurting someone like you.
posted by Caxton1476 at 7:25 PM on September 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
Please, please, please - do not entertain any further fantasies of retaliation, pursuit, or parody, unless you are either a) okay with getting your ass kicked, and I don't mean like that one lunchroom fracas in junior high, or b) 100% confident you will prevail in a physical confrontation and its ensuing legal issues. At least one of the assholes you will encounter is itching for someone like you to come around, and they have practice in hurting someone like you.
posted by Caxton1476 at 7:25 PM on September 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
They are far too stupid to get the parody aspect, but you will be a hero to everyone who lives near the damned racket.
At least one of the assholes you will encounter is itching for someone like you to come around, and they have practice in hurting someone like you.
Be polite and kind to the biker rejects
Can we do this without making sweeping generalizations about motorcyclists?
posted by bendy at 8:32 PM on September 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
At least one of the assholes you will encounter is itching for someone like you to come around, and they have practice in hurting someone like you.
Be polite and kind to the biker rejects
Can we do this without making sweeping generalizations about motorcyclists?
posted by bendy at 8:32 PM on September 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
I assumed that was directed only at the people who intentionally and gleefully take part in this disruptive behavior. However, as a very aggressive pedestrian I agree that avoiding confrontations with these people is probably best.
posted by Room 641-A at 5:25 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 5:25 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
bendy, I could have phrased that better. Room 641-A's comment reflects my intention.
posted by Caxton1476 at 12:52 PM on September 26, 2017
posted by Caxton1476 at 12:52 PM on September 26, 2017
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posted by caek at 12:32 PM on September 25, 2017