GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Friday marked the first day of Summer, and the Green Bay Police Department is reminding people on Facebook to keep their music turned down in their vehicles.
After several recent loud music complaints from vehicles driving in the Green Bay area, police are warning drivers about the fine associated with blasting their music.
“Now that it’s nice out and the windows are open, try and be respectful of your music. If you have a system that’s amplified up and you’re driving in the city, be respectful of the people around you,” said Lt.Richard Belanger from the Green Bay Police Department.
If the music in your car can be heard from a distance of 75 feet, which is about three car lengths drivers could be fined up to $111.
“Honestly officers aren’t just handing out citations, we are trying to get the message out and say hey can you turn it down,” Belanger.
But the message from police isn’t sitting well with all drivers, some think the fine is a little too extreme.
“It’s ridiculous, if you’re playing your music during the day it’s okay. It’s one thing if it’s at night, I could see them enforcing it at night,” said Green Bay resident Daniel Christy.
There are even some concerns that the law is meant to target a certain group of people.
“I know a lot of people who drive around with loud music and maybe have tinted windows I think it’s targeting,” said UW-Green Bay student Mackenzie Reimann. “I mean if a mom was driving in her car blasting music I don’t think a cop would pull them over for having a good time in her car,” she said.
Police say enforcing this law isn’t about turning the fun down, but more about keeping people safe.
“As a driver and playing your music too loud there could be an emergency vehicle behind them, there could be a kid crossing the street, and I think the last thing a driver wants on their conscious is to hit a kid because of loud music and not paying attention,” said Belanger.
Police are also asking that people living in residential areas keep their music at a respectful level, and be mindful of their neighbors.
