However, Kamph said it is unlikely any action will be taken as trustees look for other ways to address the situation. Trustees expected to vote at the July 2 meeting. July 2 to review the tests and to brainstorm alternative ideas. To give the board more time to discuss how to proceed, a work session has been added at 3:30 p.m. Finding the time and resources would be difficult to properly enforce the measure. At this time, I don't know if it would really be worth doing because we can't get the decibel readings for police to enforce it."īrown said enforcing a noise resolution would be difficult because the decibel reading must be higher than 90 for more than an hour in order to be in violation. "I'm more confused now than I was before. Though Trustee Les Kamph initially favored the noise resolution, he began to have doubts following the test and said the board will need additional time to discuss how to address the issue. "I realize that some people might be bothered by the noise, but for me it comes down to private property rights." "I, myself, am against the noise ordinance," he said. By Wednesday afternoon, 211 people voted with 17 people voting for the resolution and 194 against. Resident Craig Artzner, 41, created a poll on a private Facebook group called the Voice of Lawrence Township to gauge how residents felt. Other residents have expressed opposition to passing a noise resolution. If you had to live through it, you would understand how bad it is." It's just been a problem out here for a lot of people. "The police are also powerless to do anything about it. "You're completely helpless as the victim," DiStefano said. While shooters have the option to take their hobby to a designated shooting arena, DiStefano said victims have nowhere to go.Ī neighbor leaves her home on Sundays because of target shooting, he said. Stark County is home to dozens, DiStefano said. Lawrence Township is home to at least two shooting ranges. "This is far worse, as far as I'm concerned." "It makes absolutely no sense," DiStefano said. There is no law regulating the noise level of guns or times guns can be fired. Legislation puts regulations on music, barking dogs and loud motor bikes. Many times, he said, he would hear gunshots as he sat at the dinner table with his family. Four residents have complained in 2018, Brown said.Īs a township resident for nearly 40 years, Louis DiStefano, 63, has battled with the issue of noisy shooting for several years. According to the Police Department, there were 24 shots-fired complaints in 2016. The number of gun noise complaints has decreased within the last two years. "I don't believe it's as loud as we thought it would be," Brown said. The decibel reading dropped to 71 decibels from 100 feet away. The majority of residents who shoot on private property also shoot more than a 50 feet from the property line. The decibel reading peaked at 103 decibels.īrown called it unlikely anyone would shoot a shotgun for more than one hour within 24 hours. The loudest firearm during the test was the 12-gauge shotgun at 50 feet from the shooting. The 90-decibel bar is based on what the Ohio Revised Code lists as unreasonable if exceeded, Brown said. These regulations can limit noise, hours of operation and set standards for public safety. The Ohio Township Association, however, says townships can adopt noise regulations similar to what a shooting range would follow. 40-caliber pistol and shots, followed by a 12-gauge shotgun, an AR-15 and finally a Colt M4.Īccording to Ohio Revised Code, townships cannot adopt a resolution that establishes "regulations affecting hunting, trapping, fishing, or the possession, use, or sale of firearms." He noted the quietest decibel reading and the loudest, writing both on a chart. Meanwhile, Brown used a decibel reader to record the noise level of the firearm at 50 feet, then at 100 feet and finally at 150 feet. If the resolution passes, gunshots reaching 90 decibels for more than one hour during a 24-hour period would be in violation.įor the tests, Patrolman Sean VanDeberg used a 9mm pistol and shots five times. In some cases, neighbors feel the shooting becomes excessive.Īfter several complaints regarding loud, persistent gunfire, Police Chief David Brown decided to conduct a noise test this week as part of the township's discussion of a proposed noise resolution. Many township residents use their land for target shooting or hunting. Gunfire shatters the silence at a Lawrence Township farm.
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