Illegal noise in Anna Maria is defined as sounds that unreasonably interfere with normal activities or cause “noise pollution.”
And noise pollution is excessive noise, wave frequency or intensity that unreasonably interferes with a reasonable person.
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices the city and, among its duties, responds to noise complaints, informs residents about the city’s ordinance and issues warnings.
“If it’s 10:01 (p.m.), they can’t be in the pool. It’s cut and dry,” said Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Paul Davis about the objectivity of a new rule this year.
Decibel-meter devices are not used to measure noise in Anna Maria, he said.
Whenever someone complains, a deputy is dispatched, and “it has to come to an end,” Davis said.
The Memorial Day weekend was busier than usual, he added, because it was “a holiday weekend where people like to enjoy their activities later than some residents might like.”
MCSO patrol deputies responded to the following:
· May 22, 10:33 p.m., 700 block of Rose Street, loud music complaint. A conversation “just above normal level” and music could be heard from street when a deputy arrived. A renter advised she was unaware of Anna Maria’s regulations and she received a verbal warning.
· May 22, 11:21 p.m., 100 block of Mangrove Avenue, loud music complaint. Several children and adults were observed in and around a pool. An MCSO deputy gave a verbal warning.
· May 23, 3:14 a.m., 300 block of Tarpon Street, conversation. Upon a deputy’s arrival four adults were heard talking from the side yard. The officer explained that a normal conversation in the early morning hours needed to be taken inside.
· May 24, 11:52 p.m., 300 block of Pine Avenue, back porch laughter above normal level after 10 p.m. A rental agent was advised of the deputy’s verbal warning.
Code enforcement officer Gerry Ravthon said there were additional violations:
· May 30, 2 a.m., 200 block of South Bay, noise. Outdoor partiers were advised to take the party inside.
· June 1, 11:41 p.m., 100 block of Cedar, pingpong in the garage. A homeowner was advised of a noise complaint.
In addition to verbal warnings, deputies can issue $100 tickets to first-time offenders who violate Anna Maria’s noise ordinance.
Violators are subject to $250 fines for second offenses and $500 fines for third and additional offenses — if the repeat offenses occur within 12 months.
Owners and property managers, as well as the tenants, are liable for noise disturbances caused by renters or guests, according to the ordinance.
Code enforcement officer Gerry Rathvon said rental agents and owners should be aware of the “three strikes” noise rule in Anna Maria.
Whenever a noise violation occurs at a property, the city registers one strike against its rental agent or owner.
If an agent or owner accumulates three strikes within a year, the agent/owner will not be permitted to rent in the city for 30 days. If they amass more than three strikes, they won’t be allowed to rent for one year.
“Our ordinance is 24/7,” Rathvon explained that people have the right to complain day or night.
“But deputies don’t like to go out for pool noise in the middle of the day — for good reason,” she said.
Why?
“They hate to go there, see kids in a pool having fun in the middle of the day and tell them to stop.
“Kids will be kids,” Rathvon said.
I’m all for keeping the peace in Anna Maria….and definitely do my duty to go over and above by working with my neighbours to keep the peace, as well as thinking of new ways to try to keep everyone happy including out of pocket costs to educate others. But what’s interesting to me is that no-body…. and I mean NOBODY has checked the facts once again!
From January to the end of April 2015 over same time period 2014 the Manatee County Sheriff’s Reports show a 12.5% decrease in noise complaints!!!!
I asked the Records department if anyone else had asked for these documents and not surprisingly…. they replied that no one had.
Gotta love how City Councillors jump on the band wagon over the the “mass hysteria” of the locals without checking their facts first. “Shoot Now Ask Questions Later” should be their motto.
My wife and I have been coming to the Island multiple times a year for 8 years now. The noise complaints are getting more and more ridiculous by the day it seems. In this article you are issuing complaints for normal conversations outside after hours…really? seriously? And I say this even though what ultimately attracted us to the Island in part was the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Seems like things are being taken to extreme now though (geeezzz). We have watched as you promoted the Island in full force over the years. Now that you are growing in tourism you seem to not like what you are getting. And from afar it sure does appear that people are getting more and more stuck up by the day. So sad to see what you are becoming.
Good job AMPD. Its about time. I am sick and tired of all the noise up and down Magnolia and Spring all day long.The squealing tires, loud car radios, and screaming kids. This does not happen in Longboat They write reports on all noise and issue tickets. They aren’t trying to be officer friendly. This happened right after Mayor Murphy made the eleven parking officers and ramped up code enforcement. Its good that the police are now enforcing CODES. Kudos to Sergeant Davis and his squad of twelve officers. If the “tourists” come here they need to be quite. The city is finally getting its three quarter million dollars worth of law enforcement.