Residents Complain About Hoboken's Noise Problems

Close to 50 people attended a meeting on Wednesday night, addressing the Mile Square's noise problems. The public meeting in City Hall was .

The mayor told the residents that a 3-1-1 system—which residents can call with complaints—will be set up soon, This should all be in effect within two weeks, Zimmer told one resident.

Soon, Zimmer added, the parking utility will be functioning 24/7, and there'll always be a noise officer on duty.

The mayor also asked the residents if anybody would volunteer and bring a "noise meter" into their homes for two weeks. This way, Zimmer said, the noise concerns can be measured. Especially First Ward residents—the area of town with the highest concentration of bars—attended the meeting and complained about noise coming from the bars on First Street.

Police Chief Anthony Falco was also present and took some heat from unhappy residents.

"Chief," said Ann Wopat, "you're not getting the job done." Everyone in the room agreed that the times with the worst problems are Friday and Saturday night, when out-of-towners come to Hoboken and frequent bars in town.

Wopat, who has lived in Hoboken for 19 years, said she would like to see more police officers out in the street. "This is not difficult," Wopat told the police chief.

Michael and Kristen Hoey, who have lived in town for three years, said they're worried about the noise because they're expecting twins. "Fix it now," Michael Hoey told the city officials, "please."

Other residents in the crowd offered ideas to help prevent noisy people coming out of bars and wandering the streets of Hoboken. One resident wondered if bars could close earlier, while another said he would like to see a "one way door policy," preventing patrons to re-enter the bar after a certain hour.

One problem, which can make enforcement of the noise ordinance difficult, is that the un-amplified human voice is exempt from the ordinance, explained Director of Parking and Transportation Ian Sacs. Other sounds that are exempt include sirens from fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles. Unnecessary honking, on the other hand, is prohibited.

Roughly ten bar owners attended the meeting on Wednesday night, but didn't speak up during the public portion.

Falco said that, although there are more "boots on the ground," he would like to see even more police officers patrol the streets on Friday and Saturday nights. "I'm a big believer in community policing," Falco said. But, he added, due to the "drying up" of grants, community policing has become more difficult. Zimmer said that more police officers may be added as the result of

The residents seemed happy to hear that, but remained impatient. "If nothing happens," said 10-year Hoboken resident Alex Loncar, "there will be legal action."