Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

For Immediate Release:

July 24, 2009

Mayor and Police Chief order Increased enforcement of noise ordinance

Mayor James J Fiorentini today said that working in conjunction with the Police Department, the City would begin immediately with heightened enforcement of the City’s Noise Ordinance.

The Mayor said that he was reacting to numerous complaints from around the City about excessive noise in the downtown and other areas.

The Mayor said he had communicated his concern to the Police Chief who had, in turn, relayed these concerns to all shift commanders to step up enforcement of the noise ordinance.

A few years ago, Haverhill passed a more comprehensive noise ordinance designed to make enforcement easier and to establish maximum decibel levels for noise.  The City then purchased two noise meters.

Fiorentini said that despite these efforts, he’s received a number of complaints from citizens concerning noise late at night:

“I’ve asked the Police Department to step up enforcement of our noise ordinance.  Being able to get a good night’s sleep is a quality of life issue,” stated the Mayor.

“In the downtown area, there is going to be tension between the downtown businesses and restaurants and the downtown residents.  However, residents who live downtown are entitled to peace and quiet late at night.

“In the outlying neighborhoods, we’ve received a number of complaints about loud parties, loud music and loud motors. 

“For that reason, I have asked the Police Chief to bulk up enforcement of our noise ordinance and to give me monthly status reports on this issue.”