County working on noise problem

EPHRATA — Grant County is increasing enforcement of its noise ordinance near Patton Boulevard after a resident complained about loud music coming from vehicles.

The county’s noise ordinance forbids “any sound or noise which creates a public noise disturbance, or a motor vehicle noise disturbance within the unincorporated areas of Grant County.” The first offense can cost the offender up to $150. The second violation can cost up to $1,000 and a person convicted of the misdemeanor can spend up to 90 days in jail.

The ordinance includes any vehicle audio equipment that can be heard at a distance of 75 feet.

Ed Stubington, a resident living near Patton Boulevard, counted between 200 and 400 vehicles with loud stereos driving by his home in September, October and January. If sheriff deputies cited the drivers, he estimates it could add as much as $66,000 in revenue.

“I just tracked the ones that were a little more objectionable, like 45 decibels which will wake somebody up out of a sleep inside of a house,” he said. “It’s not a complete devotion to the time.”

If a deputy is going to respond to the complaint, Stubington said the officer should do something.

“He shouldn’t just drive up and down the street and not contact the perp,” he said. “Even if (the officer) doesn’t see anything going on, he can put him on notice … In most cases, people who are going to do these kind of civil disobedient acts, they’re paranoid, so at least they’ll curtail it a little bit.”

Stubington said he didn’t want to pull officers away from more important crimes.

Grant County Undersheriff John Turley asked if the county could install signs in the area informing them about the ordinance, saying it would help in prosecution. The commissioners agreed to speak to the public works department about it.