Description
This past Saturday afternoon and evening an outdoor concert was held at the football training camp behind the SMV.
I would like to first point out that this an athletic venue, not an outdoor concert venue. In years past the SMV and C-MOR have been very concerned regarding any noises coming from their property. The noise this past Saturday was not only disrupting and upsetting to pets, during one performance it sounded like someone scratching their fingernails across a chalk board.
I made a call for service to RPD. After several phone conversations an officer with a noise meter responded. He measured the sound during a fifteen minute portion of the 7:30 show. At that time the noise level was within the acceptable limit. The officer also mentioned he had been in the area and that he thought the noise was disruptive as well. Unfortunately the City Code would not allow him to issue a summons because it was an exempted event.
Noise is like water. It will take/follow the path of least resistance. The city was as fault for not addressing the noise issue that may occur in the nearby neighborhood of this athletic field. Aiming speakers and turning the sound down to a dull roar would have served this event well. Instead we have neighbors with upset pets and family disruptions, not mention disturbing what could have been a very relaxing evening.
I am not saying that just because you live in a neighborhood for over 25 years you should get special attention. However the people running our city should be a tad bit more responsible to the people they serve.
2 Comments
Closed City of Richmond (Registered User)
Kenneth R. Martin (Registered User)
Unfortunately this is not a police issue as they have no authority to do anything about concert noise. This particular use is covered under a generic special issue permit. Whatever person or department that issued the SUP did not take into consideration that this particular type of noise would exist or have the potential to cause a problem. A city contractor SMG is responsible for running the facility.
While I never expected the Click Fix program to be able to do anything regarding this issue, I felt a report should be made. Since no one in the government seems to care, I will be submitting a report every time they have an event like a concert until someone personally addressees the issue to my satisfaction.
The bottom line is the sound was too loud and the speakers could be place in a way to minimize their impact. I hope that you will see that someone in city government contacts me regarding the issue, I feel that is your programs purpose to address citizen's issued and not just refer and close concerns.