Beaver Dam PFC Discusses Noise Ordinance Impact

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Police and Fire Commission Tuesday night discussed the impact that potential changes to the city’s noise ordinance could have on department resources. The ordinance currently on the books would remain in place but, if approved, would include quiet hours for the first time between 11pm and 6am, seven days a week. Police Chief John Kreuziger said that the only difference with the hours being included in the ordinance is that officers would no longer have the ability to use discretion during “quiet hours.” Commissioner Casey Carney said he hopes the added responsibilities do not unnecessarily “chew-up” resources better spent handling emergencies. City Attorney Mary Ann Schacht said that officers would have more discretion than is being assumed and she noted that noise ordinance violators always have the option of fighting the citation in municipal court. The item was only up for discussion by the PFC as they have no authority over city ordinances. The common council will hold a public hearing and vote on the proposed ordinance change at their May 21 meeting.

 

Listen to the discussion here: