Despite all the hurrah over the recently passed noise ordinance and the veto by Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux, the fact that Shreveport does in fact have an ordinance regulating noise has been overlooked.

This ordinance prohibits noise that is clearly audible at 100 feet from the property line of a location in the downtown entertainment district until 11 pm. After that the distance is reduced to 50 feet, which is also the distance in other locations throughout the city. Additionally, the decibel levels are limited to 65 from 7 am until 11 pm and then 55 decibels from 11 pm until 7 am.

On the KEEL Morning Show with Mike and McCarty both Mayor Tom and SPD Chief Wayne Smith emphasized that the existing/old noise ordinance was in fact enforceable and that starting this Friday, Oct. 20 it would be aggressively enforced. Chief Wayne stated that the clubs had been warned and that tickets would be written on the first violation.

Chief Wayne stated that the new noise decibel meters will be utilized as well as body cameras which record noise in the enforcement effort. Chief Wayne advised that officer discretion will apply, just as in does in all instances of law violations. He also indicated that any violator may be asked to turn down the music/noise before a ticket would issue.

So, the big guessing game centers on HAZE—will the rooftop patio be open and if so, how loud will the music be played. And to go a step further, if HAZE is cited will the club owners/operators challenge the citation in court.

Chief Wayne advised he will meet with the downtown patrol officers to review enforcement procedures.

No doubt those officers will be well prepared for what could be a contentious enforcement action(s). Chief Wayne has visited downtown in the early weekend morning hours, and it will be no surprise if he and/or other high-ranking officers again are on the scene.

The noise ordinance has been a constant topic of discussion at council meetings and one can expect comments by citizens at the Mon. work session. Under the council rules, citizens can address the council on any topic--whether on the agenda or not--at the work session for a total of three minutes. Depending on how the noise plays out, the council meeting could be another noisy circus.