Avalon's Noise Law

It's shut up or pay up under Avalon noise law
By BRIAN IANIERI Staff Writer, (609) 463-6713
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Saturday, April 29, 2006
Updated: Saturday, April 29, 2006

AVALON — Between 2 to 5 a.m., shhhh. Really.

Avalon Borough Council this week passed a law that doubles fines for noise violations in the wee hours of the morning.

Borough officials said the law is aimed at crowds of people who leave the bars on summer weekends but are loud and unruly.

“We do get an awful lot of complaints from people who say ‘They woke me up,'” said Councilman David Ellenberg. “The complaints are really coming in between 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock in the morning. “We'd like it to be a deterrent.”

The borough's new law recommends fines of at least $500 and 15 hours of public service for a first offense.

Council President Richard Dean said the late-night noise issues only really come into play on summer weekends, after people have left the bars and restaurants but remain noisy throughout the night.

“People should have some time when they should get a little sleep. It's just an arbitrary figure as far as time goes,” he said.

The borough already has a noise law but hopes increased penalties at certain hours will cause people to hush up.

The broadening of the noise law marks the second time this year the borough passed a law aimed at raucous partying.

Last month, the governing body passed a law that created a permitting process for special events that took place on borough property or required services of police or public works employees.

Specifically, the law was aimed at annual “Floatilla” parties, conglomerations of inner tubes, beer and bathing suits on Avalon's bayside.

Last year, a person jumped from the 21st Street bridge and was considered missing as rescuers and divers searched the waters.

He was alive and located later in the evening, but Avalon police saw the incident as an indication the event needed to be curbed.

The law could end the event, which last year was in its fifth year in Avalon.

Ellenberg acknowledged that balance is required in passing laws in resort towns that strive to make sure visitors have a good time so they keep coming back.

But the 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. rule seemed a safe bet, he said.

“You keep getting complaints from the residents trying to sleep,” he said. “Folks have to take responsibility for their own actions.”

To e-mail Brian Ianieri at The Press:BIanieri@pressofac.com