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Resident complaint prompts city follow-up on mosque loudspeaker noise; police say most recent readings are within limits
Summary
A resident complained about morning loudspeaker calls to prayer at a mosque on Schafer Street; police have taken multiple sound-level readings, said most recent measurements were within legal limits, and the council president pledged continued follow-up.
A Dearborn resident raised a public complaint to the City Council about loudspeaker broadcasts from a mosque at 645 Schaefer that she said disturb nearby homes. The council discussed recent enforcement efforts and testing by the police department.
Resident Andrea Unger told the council she had filed five noise complaints over two years, supplied a petition from neighbors and cited the city’s noise ordinance (Article 2, Section 13-43) as the legal basis for relief. Unger said a call to prayer recently played on loudspeakers from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and described the sound as “an attack and a violation of my personal freedom and my privacy.”
Police Chief Issa Shaheen said the department has taken “dozens and dozens” of readings over the course of the issue. “The overwhelming majority have been within compliance,” Shaheen said; he added that initial readings several years ago were over the legal limits but that mosque leaders had lowered levels after contacts from officers. Shaheen offered to provide the measurement documents to the council.
Council President Cerini told Unger the city would follow up and encouraged residents to call the police when the noise recurs with dates and times so trained officers can take enforceable measurements. Council member Perez confirmed the department has certified noise-meter operators on duty across shifts and said the police will provide a phone contact for scheduled readings.
Chief Shaheen noted that some residents use smartphone apps that are not as accurate as certified meters, so police use trained officers and calibrated noise meters for enforcement. He said meters and trained MPOs are available on shifts and the department will work with residents to schedule testing. The administration asked residents to report times of recurrence to the council office or the police so officials can respond promptly.
The council did not enact new rules; members emphasized balancing freedom of worship with residents’ rights to quiet and said they will continue working with the mosque’s board and the police to resolve the complaint.
