ANTI-NOISE PLAN HEADED IN RIGHT DIRECTION

Cape Girardeau wants to turn down the volume on irritating noise-makers. The City Council is considering an ordinance that would give the police department the authority to seize loud stereos, vehicles and other nuisance noise generators. It is a notion worth exploring.

Nobody wants to create a police state where officers are seizing boom boxes left and right. But it is very frustrating that police can do very little about noise unless someone makes a formal complaint.

Think about it. Many people aren't eager to rush to sign a complaint over a neighbor's loud stereo or car. Some worry about retaliation. Others just don't want to get involved. So they get out the aspirin bottle and endure. With the ordinance, the police can initiate a move to turn down the noise.

The police department receives numerous complaints about noise. But many times officers return to the same location time and time again to ask people to turn down the volume. Under the proposal, officers would first give a warning. But on repeated visits, the offending device could be taken into evidence until Municipal Court proceedings are complete. This measure simply gives the current noise ordinance more teeth.

The new ordinance also spells out what constitutes a noise disturbance, so take note:

-- Loud stereos, radios or televisions

-- Honking horns

-- Construction activity

-- Singing, whistling, hooting or hollering on the street

-- Noisy animals

That's not to say that residents must toss out the stereos, noisy lawn mowers or the urge to whistle Dixie. Noisy activities are currently allowed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. In fact, the new ordinance would allow the noise to begin one hour earlier -- 6 a.m.

Loud noises such as car stereos can be more than annoying. If they're too loud, the driver or others nearby may not be able to hear approaching emergency vehicles. If a noise is too loud, the police can request a stoppage at any time. If a noise is evident from a distance of 50 feet, the police can step in any time of day.

The police have similar powers when it comes to property maintenance complaints. The police can now initiate the complaints, instead of relying on neighbors. But police officers have used the new authority with reason, keeping the public's interest in mind.

The same should be true with this noise ordinance. It gives the police a bit more authority to act in the public interest. With this new ordinance, officers can help turn down the volume on offending noises in the city.