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New Anti-Noise Law In Hazleton

HAZLETON — If you play your music too loud in Hazleton, you may get in trouble with the law. The city has a new noise ordinance and already someone’...

HAZLETON -- If you play your music too loud in Hazleton, you may get in trouble with the law.

The city has a new noise ordinance and already someone's been cited.

Driving around Hazleton, you'll hear all kinds of noise.  Now city leaders say if it's loud and between10 p.m. and 7 a.m. you'll be cited and face a fine of $75 if convicted.

"This is nonsense!" said Mike Kerr. "When you're being subjected to and I didn't do anything wrong and they're making an example out of me?

Hazleton police say they will file a noise citation against Kerr. Investigators say he was playing his music too loud around 3 a.m.

"Do I have to whisper down the street now? Is it that noisy? Is it a quiet nation? This is not a quiet nation. This is America!"

One neighbor who declined to talk on camera lives about five houses away and he could hear the music.

"There is nothing in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights that says your free speech is allowed to raise to the sound level where it's adversely affecting the community," said Hazleton Police Chief Frank DeAndrea.

Chief DeAndrea says the new law cracks down on unreasonable noise.

"It's about you on your only day off and have to listen to your neighbor cut the grass at 5 a.m. or do a weekend construction project and start at 5 a.m. or be banging nails into their deck at 11 p.m. at night."

As for Mike Kerr, he says when he gets the noise citation, he'll fight it in court.

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