Annoying bass booms next door and drunk students yelling "O-H" at every passing car. It is spring at Ohio State.
Noise is becoming an increasing problem in the north university housing district and students around campus are not respectful to neighbors, said Bill Hedrick, assistant chief prosecutor at the city prosecutor's office.
Certain times of year bring a higher noise level than others, Hedrick said.
"Obviously (football season) and spring are bad," he said.
People, however, seldom call the police to solve the problem. Last year, only 75 noise violations were issued citywide.
Students in fraternities and sororities are reluctant to rat out their neighbors, Hedrick said.
He said loud parties and noises in residential areas are violations of a city ordinance.
If police are called repeatedly, noise violations are punishable by up to a $150 fine along with letter that is mailed to the landlord informing him or her about tenants' behavior, Hedrick said.
He said if a problem continues to be reported, a case may be filed through the city prosecutor's office.
Xenia Palus and her husband never thought noise might be a problem when they moved to Northwood Avenue 27 years ago.
"I'm amazed that people's conversations have to be at a volume above normal talking level," Palus said.
When Palus has a problem with the noise, she said she almost always reports it to the police.
Despite the occasional noise disturbance, she has never considered moving because the area gives her access to arts, culture and good restaurants.
"I won't move," Palus said. "It's where I have a garden and where I've planted my seeds."
Rick Amweg, assistant chief of University Police, said the department does not receive a lot of noise complaints.
If the police are called, they respond and make a visit to the house or apartment, Amweg said.
Unlike Palus, Chris Lucas, a senior in biochemistry, has decided not to complain about noise near West Patterson Avenue where he lives. Although he has often found it hard to concentrate and study, Lucas said he did not believe making a call to the police would do any good.
"I never felt like the noise was so out of control that I needed to call the police," Lucas said. "I always just tried to work through it."
Ashley Bass can be reached at bass.77@osu.edu.
2008 Woodie Awards
Be the first to comment on this story