The U.S. Census reported that the #1 people move is because of noise. Not crime, not climate.... noise. After living there thirty years, a member of my family recently moved from his once-quiet, middle class neighborhood because the police were unwilling to enforce the noise law and stop the obnoxious boom cars. Along with that element came drugs and crime. Where once proud homeowners kept neat lawns and watched their kids ride their bikes is now a decaying, crime-infested neighborhood with abandoned houses that nobody wants.

The city's fines for noise infractions are ridiculously low and some of the thugs with boom cars actually laminate their citations and hang them from their rear view mirror. Obviously, there is no deterrant and the paltry fines make it economically unfeasible to enforce this law. This is typical of most cities and states, but not all (http://www.noiseoff.org/mississippi.shtml). If our elected officials would stop rearranging chairs on the Titanic, and realize the socio-economic ramifications of lax noise law enforcement, they could stop these contemptuous, inconsiderate morons who are ruining neighborhoods, whole sections of cities, and even whole towns.

Respectable, hard-working tax payers should complain, but they are either afraid of retribution or feel it won't do any good. They are correct that it won't do any good to complain to the police. The police are told what to do by the city council and mayor, so that's where the complaints must be lodged. As far as most law enforcement is concerned, noise is a non issue. They can't be expected to realize what is happening, but our elected "leaders" should. When tax paying citizens flee an area because of noise, that tax base is gone for good. Those people ain't coming back and neither is their tax revenue. In their place we get more of the ignorant, obnoxious thugs who's only achievments are making noise and selling drugs.

It's happening all over America, and probably in your town too. Do you hear those boom cars playing their vulgar rap music that invades your privacy, and offends your sense of values? Do you hear the semis and Harleys with straight pipes that rattle your windows? Do you hear the rednecks with burned out Flowmaster mufflers, 4" tail pipes and deer hunting decals all over the back window? Well, if you don't hear them, consider yourself fortunate. For the rest of us, it's becoming all too familiar. The only people who like this noise are the ones making it, and the "wannabes" who will follow their lead, knowing they can thumb their nose at our laws. Is this the element of our society you want to be in control? Well, wake up because their numbers are growing rapidly.

If you don't complain, it will only get worse. Call your city councilperson, mayor or police chief. Write your state legislators a letter telling them we've had enough. We want the noise laws strengthened and ENFORCED!