The Newport Police Department has stepped up enforcement of local noise ordinances with the introduction of a mobile noise enforcement trailer. The trailer, which became operational this summer, is equipped with advanced sound monitoring technology and has already led to an increase in citations for noise violations.
Since its deployment, the department has reviewed 39 potential violations resulting in 10 warnings and eight municipal court summonses. This marks a significant increase from previous years. In 2023, only 21 violations were recorded, with most resulting in warnings. No violations were issued in 2022.
The mobile trailer targets excessive noise levels exceeding 83 decibels, primarily focusing on Thames Street due to resident complaints and available power sources.
“The introduction of the mobile noise trailer has been a game changer for us,” said Capt. Michael Naylor, commander of the Criminal Investigative Division at NPD. “It allows us to monitor noise levels effectively and ensure a higher standard of peace and quiet for our residents and visitors alike.”
Of the 18 combined warnings and citations issued from the trailers, 16 were for passenger cars, one for a motorcycle, and one for a pickup truck. Violators face fines of $250, with the first violator pleading guilty in September in Newport Municipal Court.
The NPD plans to activate a second trailer soon, allowing for rotation among several known noise “hot spots” across Newport. These areas include Bellevue Avenue, Ocean Drive, J.T. Connell Highway, Americas Cup Avenue, Broadway, and Admiral Kalbfus Boulevard.
Chief Ryan Duffy, director of public safety, said, “By utilizing these mobile noise trailers and developing efficient enforcement tools, we are taking an important step in reducing noise pollution and ensuring the quality of life for our residents.”
The department is working to streamline the enforcement process by implementing an enforcement portal that will synchronize video, sound data, and photographs of violators. This will simplify the review process for officers and allow for quicker issuance of citations.
Additionally, Newport Police are exploring the possibility of making noise violation fines payable by mail, eliminating the need for violators to appear in court.
The implementation of these noise trailers aligns with recent efforts by city officials to address quality of life issues in Newport. City Councilor Mark Aramli, who has been a proponent of such measures, recently discussed the importance of these initiatives during a discussion with What’sUpNewp on Thursday, October 3.
While chatting with What’sUpNewp about his campaign for re-election, Aramli highlighted the success of his initiative to roll out new technology to combat excessively loud vehicles and open pipe motorcycles. “We’ve got these sound cameras that are now being deployed,” he explained. “We’re short on the police department for enforcement on noise. These things are going to get parked. They’re going to measure noise from vehicles. You’re over the limit. You’re going to get a $250 ticket.”
“If you don’t have a city government that is looking out for public safety and quality of life, you don’t have a government,” Aramli said. “And that’s been one of my big priorities.”
The councilor emphasized the importance of updating and enforcing city ordinances to keep pace with changing conditions in Newport. “We are a complex, sophisticated international city today with a lot of unique infrastructure needs because of our island nature and our waterfront nature, and a lot of unique needs because of this massive river of tourism that we have,” Aramli noted.
As Newport continues to balance its status as a popular tourist destination with the needs of year-round residents, initiatives like the mobile noise trailers may represent efforts to maintain quality of life for all. The success of this program may inform future policy decisions as the city addresses other challenges related to its growing popularity and changing demographics.
For more information on the noise ordinance or to report a violation, residents can contact the Newport Police Department at (401) 847-1306.
More from the City of Newport
Newport Successfully Implements Mobile Noise Trailers to Enforce Local Noise Ordinance
Wednesday, October 9, 2024First Citations Handed Out as Part of Noise Camera Program
NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2024) – The Newport Police Department (NPD) has intensified its efforts to enforce local noise ordinances with the introduction of a mobile noise enforcement trailer, which became operational in the summer of 2024. This trailer, equipped with advanced sound monitoring technology, is playing a key role in addressing noise complaints on Thames Street. As of October 2024, the department has reviewed 39 potential violations that resulted in 10 warnings and 8 municipal court summonses.
The enforcement data reflects a significant increase in citations compared to previous years. In 2023, without the trailers, only 21 violations were recorded, with the vast majority resulting in warnings. In 2022, no violations were issued. The introduction of this mobile trailer has strengthened the city’s ability to enforce its noise ordinance, targeting excessive noise levels that exceed 83 decibels.
“The introduction of the mobile noise trailer has been a game changer for us,” said Captain Michael Naylor, Commander of the Criminal Investigative Division at NPD. “It allows us to monitor noise levels effectively and ensure a higher standard of peace and quiet for our residents and visitors alike.”
Enforcement and Fines
The trailer, which is positioned on Thames Street both due to resident complaints in the area and an available power source, has already identified numerous violators. Out of the 18 combined warnings and citations issued from the trailers, 16 were for passenger cars, 1 was for a motorcycle, and 1 for a pickup truck.
Violators of the noise ordinance face fines of $250. The first violator pleaded guilty in September 2024 in Newport Municipal Court.
Additional Mobile Noise Trailers and Rotational Placement
To ensure comprehensive coverage, the NPD plans to activate a second trailer soon so that one can operate for a time on battery power while the other is operating while charging. This will allow for rotation of the mobile noise trailers among several known noise “hot spots” across Newport. Some of the areas where the trailers will be deployed include:
- Bellevue Avenue
- Ocean Drive
- J. T. Connell Highway (near the bridge ramp)
- Americas Cup Avenue
- Broadway
- Admiral Kalbfus Boulevard
These areas are known for higher traffic volumes and noise complaints, making them ideal for targeted enforcement.
Streamlined Processing and Future Enhancements
In an effort to further streamline the enforcement process, the department is working with IT teams to implement an enforcement portal that will synchronize video, sound data, and photographs of violators, including clear images of license plates. This will simplify the process for officers, allowing for quicker review and issuance of citations directly from the portal. Additionally, Newport Police are exploring the possibility of making noise violation fines payable by mail, eliminating the need for violators to appear in court.
“By utilizing these mobile noise trailers and developing efficient enforcement tools, we are taking an important step in reducing noise pollution and ensuring the quality of life for our residents,” added Chief Ryan Duffy, Director of Public Safety.
For more information on the noise ordinance or to report a violation, please contact the Newport Police Department at (401) 847-1306
