Noise is a part of everyday life, but not at three in the morning. The results of a city-wide bylaw project indicate that extending the weekend work hours of bylaw officers has helped address noise complaints throughout the city.
“Not only are we able to better respond to the calls, we are also able to bring in the resources at the right time,” Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury said at a Dec. 4 community and protective services committee meeting. “It’s all about quality of life in those neighbourhoods and it’s made a significant difference.”
In June 2012, city council approved changes to the city’s noise bylaw, making residents more accountable for unnecessary noise emanating from their homes. The changes were put in place to address ongoing issues within the city in regards to noise complaints, such as loud music and shouting, according to a report to the committee from the city’s bylaw department.
The city also conducted a pilot project that extended the work hours of two bylaw officers on weekends to address noise complaints in the early morning hours. The demand for service during these hours was such that this year the number of officers on duty has been increased.
Between eight and 12 enforcement officers are on duty Friday and Saturday evening until 3 a.m., as part of their regular shift rotation. Over a period of seven months, about 2,000 noise-related service requests were received throughout the city, with 23 per cent of these resulting in some form of enforcement, either a warning or a ticket, according to the report.
“It really has been a significant benefit to be able to fine whoever is in the establishment and whoever appears to be making the noise,” says Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes.
Although city councillors are pleased with the results of the bylaw changes and have received positive feedback from residents, they are still looking into the possibility for further improvement, particularly in regards to repetitive noise complaints.
The city wants to determine whether addresses where there have been multiple noise complaints could be listed online. There would need to be regulations in place for this in terms of what constitutes listing an address, such as number of tickets, but it is something that the city is considering.
In the Eastern Ontario Landlord Organization’s submission to the city, the group indicated that it would be willing to approach the province if changes were required to have this kind of disclosure, according to Bay Coun. Mark Taylor.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to communicate with their landlords about ongoing noise issues. The city cannot get in touch with landlords due to privacy laws, but Holmes says she strongly encourages residents in her ward to maintain this kind of communication themselves.
“Talking to the landlord is really important, when nothing else seems to work,” she says.
The city will continue to work to address issues, such as providing more resources even later in the early morning, in addition to the issue of repetitive cases.
“There are still chronic challenges that in time will ultimately be resolved,” said Fleury.