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Fillmore police to use decimeter to monitor vehicle noise
Officers to be trained on registering loud sounds
STORY TOOLS 
More from Public SafetySoon to be armed with a new device that can measure the intensity of engine and stereo noise, Fillmore police will be cracking down on loud vehicles in the community.
"I think that it's going to be a big step forward," said former Councilman Ken Smedley, a Fillmore resident for 15 years. "This boombox phenomenon has really exploded. I can't spend a nice evening in my backyard without one of these vehicles going by every 14 minutes."
According to Deputy Anthony L. Biter, motor officer for the city, Fillmore will be one of the first in the county to purchase a decimeter, an electronic device calibrated to gauge the level of noise from on- and off-road vehicles.
"It's going to be an important tool," Biter said.
He expects that the decimeter will aid law enforcement in much the same way radar works to prove a person is speeding.
"The officer will stop a vehicle he believes is over the sound level, then you have the vehicle rev up to a running speed," Biter said. "Then the sound is captured and the decimeter shows the decibel reading of the exhaust, and they can be cited for having loud and obnoxious exhaust."
Smedley said that in his experience working with Fillmore police, enforcement of noise ordinances is difficult when there is a lack of physical evidence.
"In order for anything to stand up in court, you need quantifiable evidence," he said. "Without a qualified police officer and a qualified piece of equipment, it's very difficult to make the loud noise issue stick to any vehicle infraction."
The decimeter has a price tag of $2,200, Biter said. Classes to become certified in its use run roughly $300 to $350 per officer, he added.
Biter said he expects up to four officers to be certified by November.
Chris Real, president of Upland-based DPS Technical, which will train Fillmore's officers in noise ordinance enforcement, applauded the move.
"Fillmore is taking a very proactive role in measuring on-road, as well as the off-road noise in the community," Real said.
DPS Technical trains police officers throughout the state in environmental sound measurements, typically for recreational vehicles, and off- and on-road vehicles.
Real said Fillmore officers will become state certified through an eight-hour class covering proper equipment selection, how to properly take a noise measurement, presenting citations in court and understanding the basics of sound.
Posted by Brownpride on June 30, 2008 at 3:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good! I don't want to hear your stupid music!! What about all the fiestas that need to be heard by cities 5 miles away?
Posted by luv2sail on June 30, 2008 at 5:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hopefully they will start checking motorcycles with no mufflers. Little is more irritatiing than listening to them. Hopefully OPD jumps on the bandwagon.
Posted by twbeem on June 30, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Really now how selfish and retarded to you need to be to blast music or make your motorcycles even louder. Hopefully Ventura will get one of these per patrol car. Money well spent.
Posted by cslaurie on June 30, 2008 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oxnard PD please take note.
Posted by twbeem on June 30, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if our elected officials read this. We are all registered voters talking about quallity of life issues. Its obvious what the important topics are and they need to take the hint from their registered voters.
Posted by AngryYouth on June 30, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me get this right!?! Bob Brooks complains about not having money for gang programs, jails, etc. but spending money on this crap! Deputies are certified to use a decimeter at a cost of $300. Man can I get that job. What happens when those deputies rotate out of Fillmore since everyone knows they frequently do. Bob needs to think about how to spend his money more wisely.
Posted by cslaurie on June 30, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AngryYouth-
Duh but the article clearly states Fillmore PD. Why don't you call them and complain:
Fillmore Police Department
524 Sespe Ave
Fillmore, CA 93015
(805) 524-2233
Posted by FreddyFillmoron on June 30, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey cslaurie... DUH yourself. VCSD is Fillmore PD just like in Ojai. They contract to the SD for services.
Chris Real, president of Upland-based DPS Technical, which will train Fillmore's officers in noise ordinance enforcement, applauded the move. Really? WTF do you think he would do? Crap all over it?
Never does it cease to amaze me, with all the other public safety issues facing this town. Mr. Smedley keeps pushing his own personal agenda to the forefront.
Posted by ROLL_IT_UP on June 30, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Angry Youth, even though it is the Sheriff's Dept., things like this are paid for by the City of Fillmore. The SO contracts out to the city. I think this is cool and all but Fillmore needs to focus more on all the gang issues and not the noise level.
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on June 30, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the sheriffs department takes care of gang issues and the fillmore police, well I don't know what they take care of, but I am glad they are taking care of noise issues. I think these losers actually believe that by playing music loud that they are attracting girls. Every girl I see laughs at them when they go by.
Posted by FreddyFillmoron on June 30, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ROLL_IT_UP:
Gang issues? Fillmore? Don't be foolish! Fillmore has no gangs or any other problems for that matter. If the question of why the money was spent on this, then I’m sure the equipment will be magically donated. And if you want enforcement of a particular issue then I guess thats how you do it. You buy the enforcement. Can you hear it now?
911, would you like to hear our specials of the day?
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on June 30, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Also, I agree with that they need to fine cars and motorcycles that alter or take off their mufflers. Lets face it, if you have a Nissan Sentra and you put on a racing a performance muffler people are laughing at you. You are impressing nobody.
Posted by tsetsaf on June 30, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I too hope that local departments focus attention on motorcycles and cars. I know the fines are pretty stiff in this area which could generate some much needed cash for the communities.
There is a point to be made about engine noise alerting other drivers of a motorcycles presence but some are ridiculously loud.
Posted by DamnSkippy on June 30, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish Thousand Oaks had this! They need to bring it over to Wilbur road! We have rice rockets and cars with booming stereos racing down our street at all hours! And the cops do NOTHING! Safest city my butt! Only because you never enforce anything!
Posted by bugmenot on June 30, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I ride a sports bike. I have a loud exhaust on it. It's not the loudest you can get, but it's the best tuned exhaust for the bike. Ask Chuck Graves. :)
Anyway, if I get a ticket for my exhaust, so be it, I know I'm breaking the law. However if you pull me over you best pull over every Harley out there with a loud exhaust too. I followed their example. Some say loud pipes save lives.
Just be consistent is all I ask.
Posted by bugmenot on June 30, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We're the type to throw on a stock exhaust, get our tickets written off and throw our modified exhaust back on, all before lunch.
If you think that handing out tickets for modified exhaust will stop the riders from modifying their exhaust, think again.
It won't even act as a deterrent to 5% of riders.
Maybe it'll deter the operators though. :)
Posted by 99HDRIDER on June 30, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well all you bikers know who to thank for that one!
Fillmore is not biker friendly. You got what you wanted K.S.
Posted by whatsup805 on June 30, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When did Fillmore become a geriatric city? I agree with modified Harleys being too loud. BTW Are they going to hand out tickets on 126?
What about if the muffler fell off?
Posted by SoCalArmyBrat on June 30, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's hope Oxnard PD will buy a decimeter and actually use it. Can you imagine the $$$ tickets from noise pollution would bring in if the noise law was actually enforced?
Posted by 99HDRIDER on June 30, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fillmore has so many new cops going and coming what ever happened to those old days when we knew all thier names? Max ,Steel,Zavala ect..miss our old PD.
Posted by FreddyFillmoron on June 30, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey SoCalArmyBrat...
gullible isn’t in the dictionary?
When a ticket is written, the courts get the vast majority of the fine and guess what? The courts are now State of California, so tell me how you think will stay in the county?
Posted by 99HDRIDER on June 30, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So much for a biker friendly town we need to worn
all those bikers to stay clear of Fillmore. What happened to our friendly town? I will tell you what happened! We have some people(K.S) who have the need to push it a lil to far... and guess who will pay for it? take a wild guess???? spread the word.. I KNOW I WILL.
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on June 30, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe motorcycles should be Ok from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. I do agree with the potential to save a bikers life. Cars on the other hand should be fined at all times.
Anyway, it sounds like they are using it for car boomboxes/stereos only and I hope at parks and in front of homes. People in Fillmore have this need to share their noise with everyone else.
Posted by smithjc on June 30, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
re: loud vehicle stereos. no special device is needed to issue citations for that violation. sec 27007 CVC states merely that if it can be heard in excess of 50 feet from the vehicle, it is in violation.
for loud exhausts, there are sections that don't require this meter the merely specify "harsh" or "unusual" noise. there are also sections for specific noise levels, based on year and type of vehicle, displacement, etc. this is where the decibel meter comes in handy.
bugmenot, great idea, throwing the stock exhaust back on, etc, but you might as well leave it on. the courts track these things and after the first "fix-it" ticket, subsequent violations are not "correctable".
freddy, the courts have always been representing the "state" in criminal matters. what they did was make all of the courts in ventura county "superior courts" so they could hear all cases, and not just specific ones.
Posted by smithjc on June 30, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
re: loud vehicle stereos. no special device is needed to issue citations for that violation. sec 27007 CVC states merely that if it can be heard in excess of 50 feet from the vehicle, it is in violation.
for loud exhausts, there are sections that don't require this meter the merely specify "harsh" or "unusual" noise. there are also sections for specific noise levels, based on year and type of vehicle, displacement, etc. this is where the decibel meter comes in handy.
bugmenot, great idea, throwing the stock exhaust back on, etc, but you might as well leave it on. the courts track these things and after the first "fix-it" ticket, subsequent violations are not "correctable".
freddy, the courts have always been representing the "state" in criminal matters. what they did was make all of the courts in ventura county "superior courts" so they could hear all cases, and not just specific ones.
Posted by smithjc on June 30, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
re: loud vehicle stereos. no special device is needed to issue citations for that violation. sec 27007 CVC states merely that if it can be heard in excess of 50 feet from the vehicle, it is in violation.
for loud exhausts, there are sections that don't require this meter. the sections merely specify that the exhaust has been modified to emit a "harsh" or "unusual" noise. there are also sections for specific noise levels, based on year and type of vehicle, displacement, etc. this is where the decibel meter comes in handy.
bugmenot, great idea, throwing the stock exhaust back on, etc, but you might as well leave it on. the courts track these things and after the first "fix-it" ticket, subsequent violations are not "correctable".
freddy, the courts have always been representing the "state" in criminal matters. what they did was make all of the courts in ventura county "superior courts" so they could hear all cases, and not just specific ones.
Posted by FreddyFillmoron on June 30, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just like when we throw fireworks at each other vcsexplorer11????
Posted by illzoni on June 30, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Some say loud pipes save lives." Sure, some may say that, but they're wrong.
"Loud pipes lose rights" is more like it. We all need to co-exist in this world and bikers that ignore the comfort of others to compensate for their own inadequacies aren't doing us (motorcyclists) any favors.
Posted by steve on June 30, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Any bike can be fitted with aftermarket pipes and still be ridden so that it doesn't set off alarms. It's not the exhaust, it's the rider. Lopping around in a low gear and rapping the throttle is the problem, redlining is another problem. Come on shift up and back off the throttle and we can all live together.
Steve
Posted by 99HDRIDER on June 30, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
steve your right! its the rider. tell that to a rookie cop.
Posted by smithjc on June 30, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sorry, folks, i posted that once. i have no idea why it's there three times.
Posted by Lost on June 30, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Deputy Biter - You're kidding me right? You don't have anything better to do as a motor officer in Fillmore than to stop an occasional loud stereo or exhaust violator? How long will it take the city to recoup that money (about 4-5 years?) because an infraction does not pay the city that much, and I'm sure your not getting 5 or 6 a day. Maybe 2 a week if your straight up lucky.
I don't disagree that loud music and loud exhaust pipes are not annoying, because they are, but I don't subscribe to spending lots of money on special instruments so the city can recoup a few bucks. That money would have been better spent on getting new laser radar equiptment that the city cars could use to more specifically pinpoint the actual speeder. Then when the officers move on to another station, they can take that knowledge with them to the next station. In Fillmore, traffics not a big priority except for the motor officer. The rest of the cars just do it when they have a chance, or late at night when their bored. With only two city cars to patrol the city, crime should be more important anyway.
Posted by Face on June 30, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They should impound violator's vehicles.. then they can pay hundreds to get it out of impound. Money problem solved.
Posted by 99HDRIDER on June 30, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ya face ur one smart cookie!!you sound like K.S
Posted by scottypufs on June 30, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FINALLY! Thank You Fillmore Police! Not many people here in this blog seem to understand what a nice quiet town we have here in Fillmore and that we'd like to keep it that way. We have a great downtown being overwhelmed by loud music. We don't want this to ruin our local businesses. Please see here http://www.fillmoregazette.com/front-...
Posted by del on June 30, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I like that idea Face. I would like to see Santa Paula do that very thing.
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on June 30, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I also like your idea Face.
FreddyFillmoron, your name says it all.
Posted by bugmenot on June 30, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
smithjc, i didn't know they kept track. I've had a handful of illegal tint tickets on my car and never received anything more than a fix-it ticket. however i haven't been pulled over for this in about 5 years.
illzoni, pipes do save lives. I will guarantee that in at least two scenarios in this whole world since motorcycles have been around, more than 1 life has been saved. I will agree with you whole heartedly that we do need to co-exist and be respectful to each other. As a rider, I've seen motorists react to my exhaust. Although most people, myself included, don't like to listen to excessive engine noise, the statement holds weight.
Steve, my first gear at redline is 103mph...so they say. I still cruise in 2nd or 3rd in town. You'll never hear me excessively rev or act a fool in town though. The SQUIDS at the red lights revving up their engine crack me up.
Posted by ironwoman on June 30, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did someone say Fillmore doesn't have a gang problem? THink again.
Posted by sparks240 on June 30, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Are they going to enforse the exaust noise law during the car show this weekend?
Posted by pedoote on June 30, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sparks good comment! what about next yr? 4th?
we need to notify all bikers and street rod,classic car owners,ect....next years 4th in fillmore maybe a flop! I am sending e-mails
to all biker magazines to warn them about riding in Fillmore and passing by to keep going and stop
at another friendly town. Fillmore has a bigger problem go figure.......
Posted by SoCalArmyBrat on June 30, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Freddy FillMORON,
I do believe the ticketing agency receives a portion of the tickets. I'm well aware that the courts are state jurisdiction (was that word too large for you?). I was merely making the point that I hope OPD buys a decimeter if they haven't already.
I wish you a nice evening.
Posted by steve on June 30, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's not the average rider that creates the problem, riders know this.
Two items which I know have increased my safety factor have been lights and exhaust.
Steve
Posted by OhReally on July 1, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, too bad about the car show. I always enjoyed going. I hear Santa Paula has a nice car show the first Friday of the month. Anybody know if it's happening this Friday?
Posted by scott_fx_2000 on July 1, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Down shift and keep the RPMs low. Problem solved for the bikes. As far as loud music is concerned, that's an entirely different issue. Being forced to listen to "jive-turkey" Rap music or accordion laden margarita music (Chicano polka) that needs to be extinguished immediately. Compton and Tijuana are looking for a few good men!
Posted by illzoni on July 1, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bugmenot,
I can respect you have an opinion on loud pipes. I disagree.
Loud aftermarket or modified pipes violate equipment standards and noise laws. They annoy not only other roadway users, but those near the roadway. Disrespectful bikers galvanize non-riders against motorcyclists.
Motorcycle exhaust noises are directed predominantly to the rear. The overwhelming majority of threat to the motorcyclist comes from the front. Could there be some minor advantage to being the noisiest thing on the street? You could argue that, yes. Is it worth the trade-off in ill-will? No.
If you want to mobilize an HOA against you, fire up a V-twin each morning and warm it up, complete with throttle blips, before riding to work each morning.
"Loud pipes lose rights"
Posted by bugmenot on July 1, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
illzoni,
I agree with most of what you wrote. They may annoy some other roadway users and people near the roads, agreed; which is why they may violate equipment standards and noise ordinances as well. Here's where I agree with you the most, that disrespectful bikers galvanize non-riders against motorcyclists. All it takes are a few bad apples. I agree that most noise comes from the rear and most threats come from in front, however that doesn't say that you are not heard from the front or that there are no threats to the sides and rear.
Here's where I disagree. "Could there be some minor advantage to being the noisiest thing on the street? You could argue that, yes. Is it worth the trade-off in ill-will? No."
Is it worth the trade off? As a rider I would say yes. I would also say that if the advantage makes other people more aware and could possibly (although minutely) save me from injury or death then the advantage is not minor. I'll also admit though, if I'm in my car and i pull up next to a muscle car or a ferrari or some other exotic, I will turn down the music, hush up my passengers and roll down the window to enjoy the craftsmanship. Maybe I'm predisposed to enjoying most engine noise. Naturally aspirated, four wheels and four cylinders need not apply. :)
It's all about respect. My bike is loud and you may not like me for that but I will still be respectful to everybody around me. You gotta warm up your bike and you gotta go to work. I do it ever day and my neighbors probably expect it at the exact same time every day. Regarding the V-Twin in an HOA, he's gotta warm up his bike, he's gotta go to work; you can't blame him for that. But if he's blipping the throttle, that's unnecessary and lacks respect for his neighbors.
Although you said you disagree with my position, it seems like your writeup was in agreement with my position. You just didn't feel the trade-off of ill will is worth it, however you reluctantly seemed to agree that there may be some minor advantage to having a loud exhaust.
"Loud pipes lose rights". I can't even disagree with that if i wanted, the law would prove me wrong. There's something like 25,000 traffic laws on the books and they are all enforced to a certain degree. If you assault somebody you can expect the LEO to be on top of that. If you jaywalk in an empty intersection, the LEO may let that slide; probably won't even stop you for a warning. They are both laws, they are both on the books and the LEO swore an oath to uphold all laws. I bring up two extremities to illustrate that even though it's illegal to have a non DOT approved exhaust, why is it that the LEO enforces it more like it's jaywalking than assault? Although loud pipes lose rights, it's not really enforced. Why?
I guess the disparity lies within our answers to the question, "Is the trade off worth it?".
I can agree to disagree. :)
Sorry, this became a freaking diatribe.
Posted by surferdude on July 1, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what about the trucks jakin through town? Are they going to get pulled over? They're just as loud as motorcycles.
Posted by Babyblue on July 1, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a waste of taxpayers money!
Well Ken Smedley is happy, what a sicko!
Posted by Brownpride on July 1, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It seem like Fillmore is the only town with the ghetto Harleys. The way they ride there lame bikes doesnt help. I dont want to hear WOT when you pass by!
Posted by 99HDRIDER on July 3, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
KEN SMEDLY YOU HAPPY NOW? YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR HOUSE BACK ON THE MARKET!
Posted by 99HDRIDER on July 3, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We all know that Ken has somthing on the VCSD. You have been pushing for this for over a year now! So did you buy the meter for VCSD where did they get the money? Dosent the city counsel have a say so in it? We all know that Smedly dosent like bikers.
All you bikers out there spread the word...keep clear of Fillmore that next ticket you get while riding in Fillmore City Limits is on Smedly.The truth hurts!!!
Posted by stopit on July 3, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Smedley was on the council for 1 term.In that time he made sure there was an ordinance for noise! (like our cops have nothing better to do) It never fails that the one that CHOOSES to live by a park off a main drag,is the one that complains about noise.If Snidely CHOSE to live on a cul-de-sac,that would have saved Fillmore a lot of money! Thanks Ken you truly know how to be self serving.
Posted by ar on July 3, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
once again someone thats not a rider doesnt know the near death experience of not having people see you or hear you when on a bike... kids have no where too go...they cruz their cars... give the kids something too do.. educate them on hearing issues... just like cruzing you cant do that anymore... too many gangs that no body has been able too control... so you cant even have a place for kids to go... what a shame our money is going all to the wrong places.. are they going to stop the dogs from barking, planes from flying, helicopters making too much sound, sirens on emergency cars, air condtioners at commercial buldings, babies crying at 3:00 am, farm animals making noise... at sun rise.... unbelievable....
Posted by bugmenot on July 21, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOUD BIKES SAVE LIVES:
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...
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