Connecticut lawmakers help noise monitoring cameras

(TNS) — Speed cameras, traffic light cameras and now noise-detection cameras will be tracking your vehicle on some streets across the state.

Cameras that can automatically detect when a vehicle’s exhaust or stereo system reaches an irritating level — in this case, 80 decibels — are the latest technology in a growing arsenal of automated law enforcement options that Connecticut police departments are using.

New noise regulations passed by the state Legislature this year and taking effect July 1 give police departments the ability to use automatic listening devices to detect when a vehicle reaches 80 decibels — the level of a blender or vacuum cleaner — and send a ticket to the vehicle’s owner. After a written warning, fines range from $100 to $250 for repeat offenders.

These “photo noise violation monitoring devices” have decibel monitors that trigger a camera to take a picture of a vehicle’s license plate. New York City began installing the cameras last year, and fines range from $800 to $2,500.

Police departments across the region say the new technology won’t be coming to eastern Connecticut anytime soon, but the door is already open.

The bill to allow the cameras was introduced by state Rep. Bobby Gibson, D-Bloomfield, but ultimately passed as part of a bond package. People who testified in favor of the bill cited the increased use of obnoxiously loud aftermarket mufflers and an increase in street takeovers.

However, there are also those who are skeptical about this technology.

Jay Beeber, executive director of the National Teamsters Association, said the rules are problematic.

“Do we really want to live in a society where everything is monitored?” Beeber said. “We have a problem with how much we are moving towards an automated society, to the point where we are completely monitored.”

Beeber said loud mufflers can be annoying, but he predicts lower-income people will suffer the most.

“Even if the technology turns out to be flawed and someone has a case in their defense, there are still a lot of hurdles to overcome to get the case dismissed,” he said.

He expressed concern that the technology had not been well tested and that the state was promoting technology that had not yet been well tested.

“I understand the intent is to prosecute modified mufflers that make these loud noises, but it’s other people, like owners of older vehicles who don’t have the means to purchase a new muffler, who will be penalized,” Beeber said.

As with other technologies, Beeber said it will end up being a “revenue generation scheme.”

“I guarantee there will be a negative reaction,” he said.

The law requires municipalities to adopt an ordinance governing the use of cameras and a ticket hearing procedure before issuing tickets. Unlike red-light cameras, however, cities do not need any further approval from the state regarding where or why they install the cameras. The use of red-light cameras and speed cameras was approved by the Legislature in 2023.

Groton Police Chief LJ Fusaro said that in addition to the ordinance, specialized equipment and training would need to be purchased before this type of enforcement could begin.

“It is within the remit of our City Council to be willing to undertake such an effort, but from a practical standpoint we are not prepared to undertake this task in the near future,” he said.

And while the Groton Town Police Department has fielded 112 noise complaints over the past year, most of them appear to be related to loud music, neighbor problems, loud people or fireworks. Similarly, Waterford fielded 101 noise complaints over the past year, only four of which involved vehicles. Chief Marc Balestracci said he is not currently considering using cameras.

Norwich Police Captain John Perry said he has heard of exhaust systems reaching absurd levels and would prefer to see officers in the community address the issue rather than automatically issuing tickets.

“Technology is great and it makes our jobs easier. But we have bigger issues like speeding and distracted driving,” Perry said. “Being considerate is an important part of policing, and not everyone deserves a ticket.”

New London Police Chief Brian Wright said the department received as many as 530 noise complaints last year, though it was unclear how many of those were related to vehicles.

“As with any new technology, care must be taken in evaluating and assessing the feasibility of its implementation,” he said of noise-detection cameras.

Wright added that considerations include cost and the possibility of, if possible, limiting devices to photographing only vehicle license plates and not occupants.

Municipalities, according to the legislation, “should make efforts to randomly deploy the devices.”

“Excessive vehicle noise is a concern and a quality of life issue for many communities across the state,” Wright said. “We actively seek to address ‘noise pollution’ issues by responding to complaints and initiating appropriate measures when possible.”

State Rep. Devin Carney, a Lyme Republican, was among the bill’s skeptics and voted against the legislation while at the committee level.

“I had concerns from a privacy perspective and I was concerned that we were moving too far toward cameras everywhere doing law enforcement,” Carney said. “That’s a concern for me. I understand the noise issue, but adding more cameras is a little concerning to me.”

Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, said how valuable the cameras will be depends on where you live. She suspects the cameras will be in greater demand in urban areas where there are larger concentrations of homes.

“In Sprague, for example, it wouldn’t be valuable, but maybe in Norwich it would be,” Osten said.

Osten said he’s seen more pressure in western Connecticut towns as they create ordinances to limit the use of gas-powered garden equipment in favor of electric tools to cut noise.

Osten said that when she served as Sprague’s freshman councilwoman, the city adopted a noise ordinance and purchased a decibel meter, but it turned out the problems stemmed from noise coming from delivery trucks.