Sergeant Michael McQuerrey

TAPD Public Information Officer

903-798-3125

903-733-6788

mcquerrey@txkusa.org

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Increased Noise Ordinance Enforcement Leads to Narcotic Arrest

A parked vehicle at a gas station in the 4100 block of North Stateline led to the arrest of a 24 year old Texarkana, Arkansas man, Michael Carter, Thursday night for a misdemeanor narcotic violation. Officer Randy McAdams was patrolling North Stateline when he heard a loud noise pulsating from a parked pickup in the Race Trac convenience store parking lot. The driver of the truck was located in the store, taken to his vehicle, and told to turn the noise down while he received a citation for the violation. When Carter opened the door to his truck the overwhelming odor of marijuana rolled from the truck. A subsequent search of the truck led to the discovery of several marijuana cigarettes and a zip lock baggie containing marijuana.

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department has been placing an increased emphasis on enforcing the city’s noise ordinances following the recent community ward meetings. During the meetings numerous residents expressed a concern over the disruption that loud car stereos were having on their quality of life. As result of the increased enforcement, eighty citations have been issued over the last two months for violating the city noise ordinance. A $130 fine is associated with a violation of the ordinance.

Ordinance 16-91 states; “The creating of any unreasonably loud, disturbing, unnecessary noise of such character, intensity or duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any individual or in any disturbance of the public peace and welfare is prohibited”. The ordinance provides additional guidance in relation to vehicle stereo systems; “From a vehicle, the operation of any sound amplification system from within the vehicle so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of thirty (30) or more feet from the vehicle whether in a street, a highway, an alley, parking lot or driveway whether on public or private or public property”. The term plainly audible is further defined as “Plainly audible means any sound produced which clearly can e heard at a distance at thirty (30) feet or more feet. Measurement standards shall be by the auditory senses based on direct line of sight, ……”.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.