City Council Lowers Boom on Boom Boxes

Responding to citizens’ complaints about loud music, the San Diego City Council on Monday approved a tough new noise ordinance designed to lower the boom on automobile boom boxes.

The ordinance, which will become effective Nov. 30, will authorize police to issue citations or seize automobile speakers if the sound and vibration can be heard for more than 50 feet away.

A first offense could be a misdemeanor with a $1,000 fine and/or six months in County Jail. Additional offenses could result in confiscation of the giant speakers. If the speakers are too difficult to remove at the scene, the car can be impounded until police can take out the boom boxes. A second conviction could result in destruction of the speakers.

The new ordinance was prompted by complaints from people who live near or patronize parks and beaches. Officials say that, as sound technology improves, more drivers are investing in powerful equipment that makes music louder and clearer. According to police, gang members often compete with each others’ sound systems by raising the decibels and bass. Some amplifiers for car stereos measure up to 1,000 watts.

National City police began enforcing a boom box ordinance in July, 1988. Residents who live up to half a mile from Highland Avenue deluged police with complaints about cars that cruised up and down with mega-watt sound systems at full blast. Police said that drivers with 700- and 800-watt stereos regularly cruise Highland Avenue. A normal car radio packs 20 to 40 watts of power.

Initially, National City police issued warnings for three months, but with little effect. Then they began enforcing a little-known ordinance that requires drivers to keep the car stereo sound confined to the car itself. Since July, 1988, National City police have issued hundreds of citations that carry fines of $120 to $240.