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Time’s up for the anti-social boy racers
BOY racers who have inflicted years of misery on Neath residents may have met their match.
Skewen Neighbourhood Policing Team said months of speaking to offenders and the cooperation of bosses at Vale of Neath Retail Park, meant a long-term solution was almost in place.
Opsss! Forgot the link, here it is the rest of the story;
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/neat...
by Anthony O'Connell, Neath Guardian BOY racers who have inflicted years of misery on Neath residents may have met their match. ... more -
Central District Newsletter - June 22, 2008
Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
July 22, 2008
Captain’s Comments
Good things are happening here in the district. We are 2 for 2 at City Commissions this week. On Tuesday July 15, 2008 the Entertainment Commission turned down an entertainment permit for the first time in my three year tenure here. Reason cited were lack of management experience, past incidents at the location on the 400 block of Broadway and a lack of a good security plan.
On July 16, 2008 the Board of Permit Appeals upheld a notice of violation and cease and desist order on a business operating as an illegal encounter studio, also on the 400 block of Broadway. The place in question was investigated twice for acts of prostitution and in one case, robbery of a tourist from Israel. Women employees were arrested related to all three accusations. The location also operated after 2 AM, also in violation of the Planning Code, and enlisted barkers and scantily clad women approaching men on the street.
We are encouraged by these actions and hope to see them as the beginning of follow up support for the Central Station Night Watch officers who have sustained efforts on Broadway over the past three years.
The Economics of Crime
Crime often rises and falls with the economy. We have seen a steady rise in crimes of theft and opportunity throughout the district. Petty thefts, shoplift, and ‘dine and dash’ type crimes seem to be on the rise.
Two glaring examples of this occurred last week. On the 500 block of Jefferson, suspects disconnected and stole several dozen feet of active copper plumbing to crab pots at one location. Copper pipe thefts along with recyclable items have been targets of theft throughout the Bay Area. On 7/16/08 at 5 PM, a woman riding aboard MUNI was robbed of a bag of groceries at Stockton and Broadway.
Laptop Grants for At Risk Youth
This program provides free refurbished laptops to selected college bound foster care youth and other youth under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court system. This program is a partnership between City Youth Now www.cityyouthnow.org, Redemtech www.redemtech.com, TechConnect Digital Inclusion Initiative www.sfgov.org/digital_inclusion and Independent Living Skills Program www.sfhsa.org . This program is made possible through a generous grant from the John Burton Foundation and contributions from Microsoft Corporation.
City Youth Now is currently accepting grant applications through mid-August and will make approximately 50 grants. Applications must be submitted on behalf of the youth by a social Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley July 22, 2008 Captain’s Comments ... more -
Green Bay ordinance to combat loud mufflers moves forward
If you hear a loud muffler in Green Bay, you'll soon be able to turn the driver in to police.
A loud muffler ordinance needs one more reading before the city council before it can be published and take effect.
The ordinance allows Green Bay residents to fill out a form on the loud vehicle and send it to police, who will investigate and determine if the vehicle owner should be cited.
http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=8685614 If you hear a loud muffler in Green Bay, you'll soon be able to turn the driver in to police. ... more -
Comments on Comments - Hybrids Noise and Range
This is the second part about Hybrid, noise, range and driving.
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Comments on Comments - Should Hybrids Make Noise 1
Current Comments on Comments about Making Hybrids Noisy. In addition in the end you will have my Thanks to those that are participating in this discussion. Current Comments on Comments about Making Hybrids Noisy. In addition in the end you will have my Thanks to those that are participatin... more
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Police: Driver Tried To Hit Officers On Bicycles
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A man was arrested early Thursday after police said he tried to run over two officers on bicycles.
Two officers were patrolling near East 18th Avenue and High Street, near the Ohio State campus, at 2 a.m. when they approached a driver who was playing loud music, 10TV's Tino Ramos reported.
The driver fled and the officers attempted to follow him on their bicycles. When they cornered him, the driver turned his vehicle toward the officers.
SLIDESHOW: Images From Scene;
http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2008/07/...
"He actually at one point tried to run over one of the bicycle officers," said Columbus police Sgt. Steve Livingston. "In the process of attempting to run down one of the officers, he bounced off the wall while trying to get away."
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A man was arrested early Thursday after police said he tried to run over two officers on bicycles. ... more -
Making Hybrids Noisy
The federal government is considering legislation to set noise levels for hybrid cars. If passed, automakers will be mandated to add external speakers on all hybrid vehicles.
Maryland
Making Hybrids Noisy
A proposed law, HR 5734, mandates noise making generators on quiet vehicles.
The National Federation for the Blind has been lobbying congress for noise making generators on hybrid-electric cars, claiming that the noise will allow their members to better hear them. If passed, automakers will be mandated to add external speakers on all hybrid vehicles.
You can read more about the issue from this article published by AP / ABC News. NoiseOFF was cited in the article:
"To further expose millions of people to excessive noise pollution by making vehicles artificially loud is neither logical nor practical nor in the public interest," said Richard Tur, founder of NoiseOFF, a group that raises awareness of noise pollution.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) held a public meeting to bring together government policymakers, industry representatives and public interest groups on the issue of noise making generators on quiet cars including hybrids, all-electric vehicles and quiet internal combustion engine vehicles.
Representatives from the National Federation for the Blind testified for mandating noise. They also provided grant money to a start-up company to design and build external speakers on hybrid automobiles.
Millions of people who live near busy roadways, thoroughfares, intersections and parking lots are adversely affected by vehicle noise at all hours of the day and night.
Hybrids reduce ambient street and highway noise. The reason why people purchase hybrids, among other reasons, is because they are quiet vehicles.
There are other viable solutions, including wireless audible receivers that can alert blind pedestrians to oncoming vehicle traffic.
Written comments may be submitted to NHTSA and must be received no later than August 1, 2008.
NHTSA Headquarters
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
West Building
Washington, DC 20590
The Federal Register Docket is: NHTSA-2008-0108. The federal government is considering legislation to set noise levels for hybrid cars. If passed, automakers will be mandated to add e... more -
SFMTA Donate Free Noise Pollution!
Ding! Ding! Get your FREE bike bell this Wednesday
Get a free bike bell when you pedal your bike by the fabulous SFBC Streetside Outreach Team at Fox Plaza (Market near 9th) this Wednesday from 5-7pm. (Thanks to the SFMTA for donating 800 bells!)
SFMTA= San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Ding! Ding! Get your FREE bike bell this Wednesday ... more -
Central District Newsletter - July 15, 2008
Captain’s Comments
On Wednesday July 9 at 11 AM, I was at the Cable Car turn around at Bay and Taylor Streets when I saw an elderly woman with a cane across the intersection attempting to step up onto the curb when she obviously began to lose her balance. Just as she went backwards, arms and legs akimbo, Sanford Cipinko, “Attorney at Law” swept in. Mr. Cipinko reached out with his right arm and cradled the falling woman, meanwhile balancing a cup of coffee in his free hand. The woman was propped up onto the curb and was helped to regain her balance and composure. I asked the woman if she was ok and congratulated Mr. Cipinko for the catch and no-spill feat. He gave me his card and said, “we prevent injuries as well.” There can’t be any money in that.
After seeing this act, I thought about the past two newsletters and our themes about ‘being our brother’s (and sister’s) keepers, and also about pedestrian safety. On the same day I received our 6 months stats from the Traffic Bureau on traffic collisions and injuries and fatalities. To date, we have had 127 accidents involving injury. Thankfully we have had no, (knock wood), repeat, no traffic related fatalities. Keep up the good work and remember to look both ways.
Broadway Corridor
Friday July 11, 2008: Saturday July 12, 2008:
Felony arrests made 0 Felony arrests 0
Misdemeanor arrests made 0 Misdemeanor arrests made 4
Drunk related arrests made 0 Drunk related arrests made 1
Moving citations 30 Moving citations 20
Parking citations issued 23 Parking citations issued 16
Towed vehicles 9 Towed vehicles 6
7/12/08- 1 AM, fight reported at a bar on the 400 block of Broadway, patron struck in head with bottle.
7/12/08- 1:40 AM, Sgt. Ed Anzore observed two Hispanic males shouting at each other and challenging each to a fight on the 400 block of Broadway. The men began fighting and hurled themselves into a window twice before the Sergeant and Officers could seperate them. Both were detained and cited for fighting in public. One of the two suffered a laceration above his eye. The men were from Suisun and Castro Valley, Ca.
Prostitution
7/8/08 at 10 PM- Geary and Hyde Streets- A white female from SF was arrested by Officer Milan Kangrga and Rene Nielsen for groping an officer and soliciting acts of prostitution.
Captain’s Comments ... more -
Music row ended in violence
Manchester Evening News
A MAN could have died when a row over loud music exploded into violence.
Michael Smith, 44, was rushed to hospital with a fractured skull and severe brain damage after he was punched, kicked and stamped on.
He was in intensive care for 12 days and doctors believed that even if he survived the attack he would be left with significant mental problems.
But, miraculously, Mr Smith, has made good progress but still suffers from memory loss and needs ongoing psychotherapy. Manchester Evening News A MAN could have died when a row over loud music exploded into violence. ... more -
Quiet, Please! How Noise Pollution Could Send You to the Hospital
Neurosis, hysteria, stress, nausea, and high blood pressure -- just a few of the health problems linked to noise.
A leaf blower, snow blower, lawn mower and two huge dogs -- Peter D'Epiro can describe in excruciating detail how his neighbor's lawn equipment and pets ruined summer afternoons and dinner parties for him and his wife for more than a decade in Ridgewood, New Jersey. But he'd rather not. "I can barely think about that situation without rushing for the Valium or the IV gin drip," he says.
With rising emotion, D'Epiro recalls how the neighbor began "warming up his rider mower, converting our idyllic backyard -- birds, squirrels, crabgrass -- into the sonic equivalent of La Guardia or Heathrow. Yes, he had a large yard, but the job could have been accomplished in 30 minutes, whereas he took, oh, say, six or seven hours on Saturday, often followed by another half-dozen on Sunday." D'Epiro goes on to describe how he and his wife, usually mild-mannered, exceedingly polite people, were reduced to screaming, fist-shaking and cursing in the face of these acoustic offenses.
Noise brings out the worst in human beings -- noisy people have been injured and even killed by their neighbors -- but neighbors are just one source of noise in a world that's increasingly cacophonous. Neighborhoods can turn into battlegrounds when clubs, restaurants, automobile sound systems and parties are acoustically unrestrained. The roadway clamor made by cars and trucks, the oppressive roar of low-flying aircraft, the rumble of commuter trains and the screeching of subway cars compound the challenges of daily life in the city or suburbs. Construction work generates lots of noise, and lots of noise complaints to civil authorities. Indoor sources include ventilation systems, office machines, home appliances, TVs and computer games.
Noise isn't just a nuisance; it's positively bad for us.
To read the whole story By Ursula Sautter and Mary Desmond Pinkowish;
http://www.alternet.org/story/91463/ Neurosis, hysteria, stress, nausea, and high blood pressure -- just a few of the health problems linked to noise. ... more -
Complaint of Loud Music Triggers Assault
A Des Moines man was seriously injured early Sunday after complaining about loud music.
Shane Lee Freeman, 24, was taken by fire department medics to Mercy Medical Center. Police said his face was swollen and he may have broken bones in his face and jaw. Freeman told police that a red Chrysler New Yorker with a white top was being driven up and down the 2700 block of Cleveland Avenue early Sunday morning with the stereo system blaring. It went on for about an hour, he said.
Freeman said he finally approached the vehicle. A front seat passenger reached out of the car with a bat and hit Freeman on the left side of his face, according to a police report. The car sped away.
No arrests immediately were reported.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?...
A Des Moines man was seriously injured early Sunday after complaining about loud music. ... more -
The Color of Your Window
That is the Color of the Air that you and me are breathing here in San Francisco.
I am not sure if some of you remember of this movie I filmed a month ago! Here is the link.
http://current.com/items/88918494_san_francisco_air_qua...
Here it is again the build up of pollution since then.
Since I filmed that movie, I washed the windows twice and did not bother to film it.
This time I wait patiently a month and 1/2 to film it again. Here is the result.
But what is the point. The point it is that we do not see the air we breathe and for that we are not that active to take action. People that make noise with their vehicles are also 4 times committing human health and environmental violations everyday out there. These are the repeater offenders leaving their mark in our windows.
That is the Color of the Air that you and me are breathing here in San Francisco. ... more -
Man Stopped for Loud Car Stereo kills Police Officer
CUYAHOGA FALLS -- A judge in Cuyahoga Falls has set bond at $5 million for the man charged in the shooting death of Twinsburg police officer Joshua Miktarian early Sunday morning.
Ashford Thompson, 23, of Twinsburg, is charged with aggravated murder.
According to a published report on cleveland.com Thompson's defense attorney Larry Zukerman claims his client acted in self-defense. Zukerman had asked for a bond of $50,000.
Police say Miktarian had pulled over Thompson for loud music and suspicion of driving under the influence early Sunday morning.
On Monday, the Cuyahoga County Coroner said Miktarian died after being shot four times in the head. His death has been ruled a homicide.
Twinsburg's police chief says Miktarian's gun was still holstered when he was found.
Bedford Police arrested Thompson shortly after the shooting.
http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyi...
That is really sad news and I am praying for the family of Officer Miktarian and His Community. CUYAHOGA FALLS -- A judge in Cuyahoga Falls has set bond at $5 million for the man charged in the shooting death of Twinsburg police ... more -
Noise Isn't a Right!
There are some people who believe that because Milford police are cracking down on loud vehicle exhausts, we are losing a basic right. To do what? Annoy others?
There is no inherent right to make noise, there is no inherent right to disturb people.
A reader asked if one day there might be a prohibition on loud music. There already is. It’s called “disturbing the peace.”
To read the whole article;
http://www.cabinet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080...
MilFord Community Reports:
The CABINET PRESS INC
* Letters To The Editor: cabnews@cabinet.com
There are some people who believe that because Milford police are cracking down on loud vehicle exhausts, we are losing a basic right.... more -
Scooters Pollution Radio Report - Part One
This is my response to "Mods on Scooters"
http://current.com/items/87006341_mods_on_scooters
First let me express here that I have nothing against people gathering in a club for dancing and having fun. What I do not agree it is with the false ideology where people lose their sight of their surroundings and community when they are traveling with these machines. Maybe in the future we will have better and environmentally friendly machines that won't pollute or make excessive noise. Until that time, Please cool down!
I do not want people to be falsely "sorry" about this issue! I want them to learn and understand that it is my rights of quietness that counts and NOT their desire to pollute the environment or disrupt my daily living with an act of acoustic trespassing.
One little scooter riding up hill it is already an acoustic problem. Now imagine a group of them blasting their pollution. It is like a bomb!
This is my response to "Mods on Scooters" http://current.com/items/87006341_mods_on_scooters ... more -
Loud Muffler lands driver in jail on 2 felony charges
After being stopped last night for having a noisy muffler, Kilbert "Flaco" Rijos ran from deputies, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, before finally being caught.
About 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, deputies pulled Rijos over because he had a modified muffler on his black Honda Civic, according to the sheriff's report.
This is what happened, according to the report: Rijos, 20, of 2104 Coco Court, told a deputy that his license was suspended. The deputy also learned that Rijos was a habitual driving violator. When deputies attempted to transfer Rijos from his Honda to the prisoner transport vehicle, he ran off.
He was caught about 200 yards way.
Rijos, who is listed as a mechanic at Levs Auto Shop in jail records, is being charged with escape from police custody and driving with a revoked license — habitual offender, both felonies.
He is being held at Orient Road Jail without bond, according to jail records.
AMERICA DEUPREE
News Channel 8
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/09/loud-muffler-la... After being stopped last night for having a noisy muffler, Kilbert "Flaco" Rijos ran from deputies, according to the Hillsborough Coun... more -
Elkhart Noise Ordinance Gets Stiffer
A stiffer city ordinance in Elkhart may be "music" to some people's ears.
Monday night the Elkhart city council passed a tougher noise ordinance. Police will now be able to write tickets with stiffer fines and if they hear a loud noise within 35 feet unlike 50 feet in the past. Mayor Moore says it is part of a pledge he made when he first took office to make the city cleaner and quieter.
"If you are half a block away and you can hear it.. then that's further than 50 or 35 feet.. that's when you usually stop them," Corporal Frank Owens from the Elkhart Police Department. "We've written more tickets for noise the first 6 months of this year than we did all of last year. We kind of dropped the ball on it and it's time to get it taken care of," says Mayor Dick Moore of Elkhart.
The Elkhart police officer in charge of the noise ordinance was once part of the I.C.E. unit or county drug task force. But the city no longer participates in the unit. So the officer has been re-assigned.
Fines start at 250-dollars and go up to 25-hundred dollars.
The ordinance goes into effect once the mayor signs it.
Reporter: Stephanie Stang
Email Address: stephanie.stang@wndu.com
http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/24081324.html A stiffer city ordinance in Elkhart may be "music" to some people's ears. ... more -
Loud Pipes Do What?
All other things being equal, a loud motorcycle probably gets more attention than a quiet one, but at what cost? Is this good attention or bad attention? Let's think about this.
Ignoring the fact that many aftermarket pipes are illegal, motorcyclists who defer to the wisdom, "loud pipes save lives" are sadly misinformed. Riders who believe that an ear-shattering exhaust note actually increases safety are either kidding themselves or rationalizing self-indulgent behavior. Fact is, loud pipes do more to hurt motorcyclists than help them, the attention they draw to a rider is not worth the negative public image they create.
It's rooted in physics. Unlike an earthquake, which emits waves in a sphere away from its epicenter, sound waves can be directed. (A good example of this a megaphone: if sound waves were not directionally sensitive, megaphone users would all be deaf.) The pressure wave emitted from an exhaust pipe is pointed away from and behind the motorcycle. To hear it from anywhere other than directly behind the bike, you rely on the resonance of the pipes and reflection of the sound waves off of other objects, like cars, signs, buildings, etc.
In other words, the only time the loud pipes draw attention to a motorcycle in traffic is when the bike is facing away from the motorist. In most cases, facing away from the motorist means riding away from the motorist: increasing the separation of bike and potential hazard. The only possible situation in which a car can to pose an external threat to a motorcyclist when the bike is facing away from the car is if the motorist is backing up or (following) behind the rider. The threat exists, but only marginally: the Hurt Study found that a whopping three percent of accident hazards come directly from the rear (or the "six o'clock" direction).
by Pat Hahn
http://www.motorbyte.com/mmm/pages/safety/safety40.htm All other things being equal, a loud motorcycle probably gets more attention than a quiet one, but at what cost? Is this good attentio... more -
Inducing Children Into the Noise Culture
How Far Can You Go for Money?
Whirly-Wind Leaf Blower
In the spirit of fun and safe play, John Deere licensed its brand to a toy company to produce leaf blowers for children. It actually blows air.
Safety and Health Concerns
Leaf blowers are not merely an ear-sore, they blow particulate matter consisting of pesticides, fertilizers, spores, molds, dust, insects and fecal matter into the air. Gas powered leaf blowers burn a mixed combination of gas and oil fuel that create a tremendous amount of toxic exhaust.
Young children are at risk because their immune system is not yet fully developed and they are more susceptible to asthma. Elderly people exposed to airborne contaminants can experience severe lung and respiratory problems. Ironically, leaf blower operators are putting themselves at greater risk because of the direct exposure to airborne pollutants.
Gas powered landscaping equipment account for 5% of air pollution overall in the United States. An inefficient 3.5-horsepower gas mower emits the same amount of hydrocarbons in one hour as does an automobile driven over 300 miles. A chainsaw operated for two hours produces enough hydrocarbons equivalent to an automobile driven 3,000 miles.
http://www.noiseoff.org/landscaping.shtml How Far Can You Go for Money? Whirly-Wind Leaf Blower ... more
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Acoustic Education
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Acoustic Education
