Many who read this will not believe that Lexington has laws and regulations governing noise. I know, right? Well, we do. If you live on Main, Franklin, and South streets, between 13th and 24th streets, you are victims of unenforced noise ordinances.

Before you start shouting accusations of Police blamer, cool your jets. I’m retired law enforcement, and our dedicated police have more to do than chasing down people who care nothing for the sanity and hearing of the rest of us. I blame those people who knowingly run around with busted tail pipes and blaring music that no one else wants to hear, especially “music” that uses vulgar language every other word. You know who you are. Narcissists who believe that they can impose their minority standards on the majority of people who want to finish an outdoor conversation without shouting or repeating the same sentence 5 times.

An example is an actual event that occurred while I was waiting for Nancy, who was in the grocery store. I heard the sound from his radio before he entered the parking lot. I was listening to the radio in my car at a low volume. As fate would have it, he pulled into the space next to mine. He sat there for several minutes, music blaring and totally oblivious to my presence. The sound from his radio was causing my car to vibrate.

Nancy and I often sit on our front porch. The people who drive by are usually respectful. There are the occasional few who drive by, their radios blaring, while driving at least 10 mph over the limit. I’ve often thought about standing in the street waving a checkered flag, or a white flag of surrender.

I refer you to City of Lexington Article VI Vehicle Noise Control, sections 15-94, 15-95, and 15-96. I quote, in part, “Its purpose shall be to control and regulate the noise of motor vehicles.” To paraphrase section 15-95, ‘No person operating or occupying a motor vehicle, basically anywhere in town, shall have amplification that can be heard more than 50 feet from the vehicle. Measurement shall be based on auditory senses.’ Violation of that section occurs several times per day.

Section 15-96 sets out the penalty. A fine of not less than $50.00, or more than $500.00 for 1st offense. Second offense, $100.00-$500.00, and/ or imprisonment of not more than 90 days. By the way, this includes ATVs and UTVs.

I hear you. “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” There was a time in my youth, before inspections were a thing in Missouri, that out of poverty, I couldn’t afford to replace an exhaust system that made buildings rattle. I wish there were a way that people could get their transportation running and sounding safe. I’ve seen people with bald tires driving around.

I’m not talking about you. I’m referring to those who know, yet still intentionally impose their unsolicited noise on the rest of us out of a sense of entitlement. If they are selfish about the feelings and comfort of others, their standards and character will negatively affect how they handle other aspects of the law and common decency toward their fellow man.

Come on, people. Can we show more civility to each other? Let your actions shout out, “I care about others who I share this planet with.”

You may find that it’s reciprocal.