Huntley enacts fines for noisy neighbors

If you live in Huntley, you might want to turn the sound down this month when you're playing "Guitar Hero."

Spurred by a rising number of noise-related complaints and without a tool to address them, the village has enacted new fines for people who disturb their neighbors with loud music, pets and lawn mowers.

The fines are laid out in Huntley's first ordinance to explicitly address loud noises.

Before the village board passed the noise ordinance, police had little recourse when residents called to report noisy neighbors.

"Unless it meets the standard of disorderly conduct, there's nothing we can do about it," Police Chief John Perkins said. "People are getting frustrated with us."

Police can only charge someone with disorderly conduct if the neighbors agree to sign a complaint - and most callers are unwilling to do so, Perkins said.

The noise ordinance doesn't require anyone to sign a complaint for police to issue a citation.

"People can call in anonymously," Perkins said.

While the ordinance may increase the likelihood violators will get slapped with a fine, it is less severe than disorderly conduct, which can lead to an arrest and criminal charges.

"It's no different than a parking ticket," Perkins said of the noise violation. "It doesn't go on your record."

First-time offenders face a fine of $100, while the second and third offenses result in a $250 and $500 fine, respectively.

But Perkins said police aren't looking to pad village coffers with revenue from noise violations.

"We're going to seek voluntary compliance," the police chief said. "If they turn the music down - there'll probably not be a ticket issued."

Perkins estimated police get about two noise-related calls a night on weekends and receive the most noise-related complaints in the spring and fall.

The new ordinance generally prohibits loud noise after 10 p.m. on weekdays and after 11 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Residents should report noise violations by calling 911.