Raleigh doubles noise pollution fines for residents and businesses on Glenwood South

Starting Saturday, loud noises in Raleigh come with a hefty price tag.

The city council has doubled fines for violating the noise ordinance, meaning disturbing the peace now carries a $250 penalty, up from the previous $100.

The request for this increase came from residents of the Glenwood South area who have complained about the loud music and nightlife.

For the past few months, Glenwood South has been a hot topic of conversation for the partying and nightlife.

Now, the city has taken steps to keep all that under control by increasing the fines for noise complaints.

While some residents applaud the increased fines, others argue that living downtown comes with inherent noise levels.

However, the city council seems to side with the need for balance, hoping the higher fines will curb excessive noise and create a more harmonious atmosphere for both residents and businesses.

Vera Reed is a musician. She feels ordinances like this stifle creativity, and people should be allowed to play and listen to their music.

"It should be accessible for musicians to play their music downtown. They pay a lot of money to live here. They want to live the type of life that they want to live and we have to respect music," Reed said. "Music and art are really our future."

On the other hand, some people think the noise can be excessive. Glenwood South is not just home to bars; families live there.

"I think that they can be quiet after 11 or 12 p.m.. People are going to sleep. But before that time I think that is fine," You See, Downtown resident said.

Instead of measuring noise in decibels, the new ordinance leaves it to the responding officers to decide whether the noise is too loud based on when it's happening, what type of noise it is, and what is considered disruptive to a reasonable person.

Olekxander Gryshko, a downtown resident calls the ordinance another way for the city to get money.

"I think it's a little bit of a reach for taxes. And more fines going into the system that is not necessary," Gryshko said.