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The residents of 106th Street between 107th Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park thought they would enjoy a winter free of the noise that awaits them in the summer months. They were mistaken.
Two recent week-long, round-the-clock wedding celebrations disrupted their quality of life with music from bass-pounding stereo systems that rattled their eardrums.
"What’s going to happen in the summer, (if) they are doing it in the winter?” asked a resident, who did not give her name. She and her neighbors sought help from police officials at the 106th Precinct Community Council meeting March 12 in Ozone Park.
Lt. Michael Coyle, commander of the 106th Precinct’s special operations unit, asked community residents to contact him before such events begin. He told residents to notify him when they see party-related preparations, such as tents and portable toilets being set up. Coyle then promised to take action.
Frank Dardani, president of the 106th Precinct Community Council, acknowledged that noise was a major problem in the community. While residents have the right to enjoy themselves and celebrate publicly, they do not have the right to disturb their neighbors, he added.
Capt. Joseph Courtesis, commanding officer of the 106th Precinct, indicated there has been a rise in the volume of 311 noise complaints. With the precinct's currently available manpower, it will be extremely difficult to address each complaint, he added.
One solution the precinct plans to put in motion is to restructure and add additional components to the precinct’s 2007 noise plan, according to Courtesis.
Additionally, letters stating the precinct adoption of a zero tolerance noise policy will be sent to the owners of the previously identified 2007 chronic noise locations.
The letters warn violators that their noisy locations will be monitored nightly and that provisions of the city’s noise code will be enforced. Offenders will be issued summonses and could be arrested. Police could also confiscate stereo speakers or other sound equipment.
Courtesis said one of the components being added this summer is the assignment of four police officers to specifically address residents’ noise complaints. The captain hopes this added manpower will be able to respond to the large amount of summertime noise complaints expeditiously.
Courtesis said he will be assigning two officers as 311 coordinators to call complainants back and ask them if they were satisfied with the police response and handling their complaint.
Betty Braton, chairwoman of Community Board 10, said noise is a major community concern and the volume of complaints has grown significantly in the last five years.
Last month, Dardani and community council Vice President Donna Gilmartin reached out to the commander of Patrol Borough South Queens, Assistant Chief Thomas Dale. “We need help from the borough,” they said. Whether they’ll receive it has yet to be determined.
6 years ago
