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| Galesburg City Council Tackles Loud Vehicles |
Some say it's a waste of time, others say they're tired of it -- either way, the Galesburg City Council says they're tackling a problem that residents have clearly been complaining about: loud car stereos.
Aldermen agreed at a work session Monday night they wanted to see the city's loud vehicle ordinance strengthened to similar to that of Peoria -- currently, Galesburg issues a $75 ticket if a car's stereo or muffler can be heard from at least 75 feet away, and $150 for a second offense.
Peoria's ordinance essentially allows for vehicles to be towed, and increasing fines for each offense.
Galesburg Fifth Ward Alderman Karen Lafferty says she's heard from people on the issue long enough.
"We're continually getting complaints from the citizens of the people of Galesburg," Lafferty said, "and they don't understand why their complaints go on deaf ears."
Galesburg Mayor Sal Garza says he agrees.
"For me, it just comes down to the quality of life issue," Garza said. "A lot of these people understand they're restricted in terms of what they can do. They can't run out at 2 of 3 in the morning to try to get a license plate number. And they also understand that this isn't the greatest priority for the Galesburg Police Department."
Galesburg Police Captain Lindsey May says the city impounds vehicles on other similar offenses, and seems to work there.
"There are a few officers who might have been a little bit hesitant or we're being too harsh," May said. "But I think they see now that...the consensus would be that 100% of officers think that's been a very good deterrent for crime for us. That's what we feel now; there's several that feel we need to get them in the system, tow that vehicle the first time. If not, we're not starting that process. That's going to deter them from the second time."
Three aldermen were absent, though, Monday night -- Ken Goad (Ward 1), Wayne Dennis (Ward 2), and Mike Lummis (Ward 7). A fourth, Russell Fleming (Ward 3), said he'd never support towing a vehicle on a first offense.
Aldermen are expected to get their first look at a proposed new ordinance April fifth.
(Statistics and graphics from Galesburg Police Department.) |
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| 03 16 10 by Newsroom |
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