Originally published for the Jersey City Times

It began in December when Michael De Gruccio, a professor at Saint Peters University, wrote an op-ed for the Jersey City Times on noise pollution in his neighborhood. He was, he said, fed up with the city’s lack of enforcement when it comes to illegal sound.

“I have some true stories to tell. They are probably your stories too. They reveal what anybody who is listening knows from experience. Jersey City has a noise problem and its public servants have failed us,” he wrote.

De Gruccio described his experiences with a neighbor who blasted music on weekends. After years of pleading with Jersey City officers and the neighbor directly, De Gruccio finally got the neighbor to lower the music. Yet, it made De Gruccio question why the city was so slow to enforce quality-of-life laws.  He recalled how another neighbor illegally modified his car, creating a large amount of smoke and noise disturbing his community.

“I called the police who uncharacteristically showed up in minutes. There it was. A car with several illegal modifications. The tax-paid officers took him to the side (beyond my earshot) only to return to me and rattle off some arcane code and inform me that issuing a ticket was therefore ‘optional,’” said De Gruccio in his piece.

On paper, the city has made the law clear. The city council approved a noise ordinance in 2016, requiring that any music played outside not be “plainly audible” from a distance of 50 feet during the day, 25 at night. Certified noise-control officers are supposed to enforce this rule and can fine violators up to $1,000.

Nonetheless, De Gruccio’s op-ed ignited a firestorm on Facebook and revealed a split between those for whom a blaring sound system is a disturbance of the peace and those for whom it’s part of the urban soundscape. 

“I wish a lot of y’all just stfu or just move it’s the city what do u expect stop tryna police grown people move to the suburbs. It’s that simple we didn’t ask for none of y’all to come move to Jersey City so how y’all gonna come somewhere y’all are not from and try to tell people who are from here what to do,” said Matt Massey on Facebook.

Some critics of De Gruccio’s piece said that the police have more pressing matters and that his complaints were overblown.  Some said he should move.

“It’s a city don’t like it move Tf out, don’t want noise move somewhere far from a city smh let people enjoy their lives and hobby sheesh, we don’t need outsider Karen’s and Kens telling us how to live,” said Al Correa in rebuttal to the piece.

“Anywhere you live near or in a city you’re gonna get noise is crowded. Live in the suburbs,” said commentor Montana Sacks.  “Buy a white noise machine. I don’t need to live in a police state over a dumb teenager and the money he blew on a stereo,” said Jacob Petterchak.

Neelima Sapre wasn’t buying the argument the people should just move. “It’s an actual luxury to be able to just pick up and move to the suburbs because you’re not happy in your urban neighborhood. Most of the long-time residents, especially the elderly and people working extra jobs and raising kids in this city, can’t afford to do that at the drop of a hat. The noise is worse than ever. Anyone who is denying that is a liar.” 

“The paid personnel of The City should really be more attentive to the taxpayers needs and complaints,” said Andre Beckles. 

“This article is excellent and brings to light the short comings of this city’s administration, and police… there is no enforcement of any kind no matter what the issue is… Lawless Jersey City!” wrote Paul Amatuzzo.

Disputes over noise can have deadly consequences. On Sunday, a Brooklyn man was shot and killed in the subway after intervening in an argument over loud music. 

In an article in June, The New York Times reported on research showing that excessive noise is “a largely unrecognized health threat that is increasing the risk of hypertension, stroke and heart attacks worldwide, including for more than 100 million Americans.” 

De Gruccio’s perception that noise complaints are not a city priority may be well founded. Last year, the Jersey City Times made a records request for documentation of noise complaints. The city responded that it did not maintain such information.

De Gruccio, hasn’t been dissuaded by the pushback or the city’s indifference. He says he is considering a lawsuit against the city if it doesn’t begin to enforce the law.

Jersey City’s press secretary did not respond to a request for comment.