City of Charlottesville seeks stiffer criminal penalties for noise violations

Oftentimes, solving a social problem with education has longer-term benefits than passing or updating a law, and in the case of the University of Virginia[1] the problem is loud house parties. The City of Charlottesville recently considered redefining noise violations[2] as a Class 2 misdemeanor for first and second offenses. 

Noise violations have been a Class 4 misdemeanor, the lowest on the misdemeanor scale.[3]

Under the pending city code change, the maximum fine would increase to $1,000 for first-time offenders with up to six months of jail time also possible. Second-time offenders would face up to $2,500 in fines and up to 12 months in jail.

According to Charlottesville’s director of Neighborhood Development Services, Jim Tolbert, “They [the city of Charlottesville] don’t intend to use jail unless someone is absolutely being a jerk.”[4] How exactly “being a jerk” is defined will apparently be left for future city councils to decide.

The stiffer criminal penalties for noise violations come on the heels of resident complaints of repeat violations of the noise ordinance in the neighborhoods of Venable and University Circle.

As is the case with many social problems, however, education may be the better alternative relative to harsher criminal laws.

What the stiffer laws DO accomplish is instilling a sense of heightened anxiety about throwing a raucous party or get together at the University of Virginia, not a thoughtful understanding of why noise violations should be avoided.

In order to create better citizens, education is oftentimes the best solution. Although harsher criminal penalties for noise violations may be an easier, or even more practical solution, we err as a society when we continuously take the easiest path towards a narrow end.

There will probably be a drop in noise violations, but will better citizens also come about as a result of the updated city codes?

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[1] http://www.virginia.edu/

[2] http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-noise-ordinance.htm

[3] http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/state-news/2012/aug/20/charlottesville-seeks-quiet-uva-parties-tougher-no-ar-2142024/

[4] http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/state-news/2012/aug/20/charlottesville-seeks-quiet-uva-parties-tougher-no-ar-2142024/