At issue here is who decided the definition of disruptive music and behavior? Let’s suppose someone “john” has a 40th birthday party and he has a “sensitive” neighbor who will complain about nearly anything. The complaining neighbor will naturally call and complain about the party. An officer from the Sierra Madre Police department will come and likely issue a warning as the police department now has clear financial incentive to issue a warning. The Sierra Madre police department receives more than 50% of the City of Sierra Madre’s general fund and citations contribute directly to the general fund. After receiving the citation “john” realizes has just been abused by his problem neighbor facilitated by a poorly thought out city ordinance.

A better approach is to provide an event permit much like the overnight parking permit. When the problem neighbor calls he is informed that “john” filed an event permit as is allowed party music until a late hour. The event permit also informs ”john” if a public disturbance occurs as a result of his party he will be responsible for the cost to the police department and the city as well as acceptable noise levels to what hours. In the case of an unpermitted event the officers can issue the warning and inform the host that the loud music must be reduced by 10pm as they failed to obtain an event permit.

I feel our civil liberties would be better protected by well written municipal codes constructed mindful of personal privacy that allow individual to celebrate important life events unfettered from petty and vindictive neighbors and city revenue concerns.