Houston Noise Abatement Ordinance: Residents of the Washington Corridor are still being harassed as only 4 tickets were issued in the first month

HOUSTON, TX (KTRK) — The City of Houston’s new Noise Abatement Ordinance went into effect on September 6th. How do residents of the often noisy Washington Corridor feel about the work they do?

“I wish I could say it’s good,” said resident Steven Devadanam. “I appreciate the effort, but the noise goes on every night.”

The ordinance doubled the maximum fine businesses could receive for violations and added a noise permit that must be purchased if a business uses amplified noise in close proximity to homes.

The ordinance is enforced by the Houston Police Department, which has established a “noise unit” to respond to noise complaints only on weekends and other peak hours in the central part of the city.

PREVIOUS STORY: HPD’s “Noise Noise Unit” is now enforcing the ordinance to curb Washington Corridor nuisance

“I think the discrepancy between the number of complaints and the number of citations written is too large, and I will be monitoring this carefully and asking HPD about it,” said Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn, noting that the ordinance’s introduction your statement on ABC13 is still in its infancy. “The goal here is to bring problem bars into line so that nearby residents can find some peace.”

Though not many tickets have been issued, supporters of the new ordinance say the introduction of the noise permit gives the city of Houston more power against noisy bars and clubs, since it can call hearings and revoke permits for repeat offenders.

Mark Fairchild, a Washington Corridor resident who worked with officials to create the new ordinance, says it makes him hopeful it will eventually succeed.

“We’re in the first inning of a nine-inning game,” Fairchild said. “I think it’s still too early to judge whether the changes to the Noise Abatement Ordinance will have the intended effect.”

District C councilor Abbie Kamin also remains hopeful that things are finally getting quieter for residents who live near noisy facilities.

“This solution is tight enough for the city to have more bite when it comes to curbing what few bars and nightclubs have bad actors, while continuing to support our local businesses and neighborhoods,” Kamin said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: After thousands of noise complaints in the Houston neighborhood, this new tool may help

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