Councilman
Kenneth Gonzalez

Council President Joel Pabon

PERTH AMBOY – At the Sept. 8, 2014 Caucus Meeting one of the topics for discussion was the noise ordinance/enforcement. Councilman Fernando Irizarry is the one who requested that this be examined further.

At a previous Council Meeting, there was a discussion that fees should be increased for any offenders of the noise ordinance. Council President Joel Pabon said, “I don’t think fees are the issue, but the enforcement needs to be stronger.”

“The education period needs to end,” stated Councilman Fernando Irizarry, “We need to get serious and start imposing fines, even for special events. I would like to increase the fees. $100 summons are nothing if you are making $2000 a night.”

Councilman Kenny Gonzalez was in agreement with Irizarry and Pabon, “I think the offenders are not heading the warnings from the police. The fines should be adjusted according to the infractions that took place. The ordinances on the books are okay.”

Councilman Fernando Irizarry

Pabon wanted calls for establishments where the police have to constantly come to because of habitual offenders, they just get a warning and continue with disturbances. “Now, I feel they are disrespecting the police. People have been afraid to report disturbances.”

Police Chief Benjamin Ruiz came forward to address some of these cases. “We will not divulge individuals who call to complain. We have certain addresses that we check between 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. because they have a history of problems. The Councilman is right. Historically we don’t take an aggressive stance, but more to educate. The ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Commission), Code Enforcement, and the Fire Department addressed the liquor store that people have been complaining about. Now we have taken zero tolerance with liquor stores. On special occasions, such as birthday/graduation parties at private residences, we will just give them a warning. Because of a change of shifts officers reporting to a disturbance may think they are going to a first time offender not realizing they have multiple complaints.”

Former Council President Kenneth Balut who is also a retired Police Officer was taken aback by that last comment by the Chief. Balut said, “I retired in 1993 and it didn’t matter what shift we were on. We always got updates by the previous shift Captain.”

At the 9/10/14 Council Meeting Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez stated, “We should put out a press release to let the public know that these laws will be enforced.”

At that same meeting Resident David Caba said, “Six people got shot recently (that we know of). You want a press release about a noise ordinance, which is OK, but we need to have press releases about these shootings. The blame game has come to an end.”

Resident Alan Silber said, “Wouldn’t you like to warn your children about shootings occurring?”