Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Avondale police present loud-noise data; council debates permitting and outreach
Summary
Avondale police told the council they responded to roughly 1,600 loud-noise calls annually, with only a small number of citations issued; council members questioned whether permitting private events or increased outreach would help, and asked for further breakdowns on fireworks and shots-fired calls.
The Avondale Police Department on Sept. 23 presented data showing the department responded to about 1,600 loud-noise calls in recent fiscal years and that officers typically issue warnings rather than citations.
Lieutenant Thomas Alt told the council the department handled 1,691 loud-noise calls in fiscal 2023 and reported 11 citations tied to noise violations; for fiscal 2024 the department recorded 1,626 loud-noise calls and 19 citations. Alt described the department’s practice as education-first: officers generally warn the responsible party on first contact and cite only for repeat or severe incidents.
Alt said officers look at the time of day, number of callers, whether the noise is reasonable and the distance noise can be heard. He said spikes in calls occur on Saturdays and Sundays and between about 8 p.m. and the early morning hours.
Council members raised options for addressing recurring noise problems. One member suggested a permitting regime for private events with a fee and neighborhood-notification requirement; others cautioned that adding permits could complicate existing special-event permitting and that the current city ordinance and state statute already allow enforcement. The police said they use field-card documentation when they contact a responsible party so a subsequent responding officer can determine whether a prior warning was given; that recordkeeping supports issuing citations when appropriate.
Council members also discussed outreach to encourage residents to use the city’s nonemergency number for reporting fireworks and noise. The police and city staff said increased reporting in some categories (for example, fireworks) could reflect successful public education efforts rather than worse behavior.
Council requested additional data: a separation of citizen-generated versus officer-initiated calls for service, and a future briefing with more detail on fireworks and shots-fired incidents.
The presentation drew multiple questions but no policy change; council directed staff to return with follow-up information so members can consider whether additional policy work is needed.
