The new Baltimore nuisance ordinance seems to have been conceived with good intentions. It claims to address late night noisy revelry that surrounds bars and even some restaurants in neighborhoods across the city. City Council members have argued the addition of "noise" to the list of nuisances that are punishable under the Baltimore city police code should heal "one negative aspect" of the urban experience. But it is clear that this proposal was really inspired by noise from students and loud parties in northern Baltimore. College students stand to be the most easily targeted by this ordinance.
The new ordinance, an update of a City Council proposal in 2005, is riddled with vague terms and definitions. "Unlawful noise" remains difficult to define and the ordinance gives city police extensive power to make their own personal judgments. The imposition of this policy, which threatens Baltimore homeowners and Hopkins students with eviction if twice found in violation in a six month period, has major obstacles, the most obvious being in city-wide noise surveillance by police. The ambiguities of this noise statute hampers enforcement. The City Council must identify a more objective measurement. Because what annoys one person may not annoy another.
If it can't be avoided, students should confront the ordinance proactively and improve relations with their neighbors. Fraternities and houses that host parties must exercise better planning and limit loitering on front lawns. But ultimately, there is little students can do to circumvent anonymous passersby who report what they perceive as nuisance activity. Rather than throwing up their hands at what they call inaction on the part of the University, the City Council should work with college administrators to address the issue of noise rather than passing excessive and unreasonable legislation.
