Some bar-goers, a local school and a church are currently in conflict regarding crowds and noise levels in Tallahassee.
Changes were made to Tallahassee’s noise ordinance in March. According to the Tallahassee City Commissioner, it is unlawful to allow noise disturbances and amplified music from urban core areas between 2 and 7 a.m.
Noise ordinance No. 13-02 says that the Leon County Commission is also in compliance with this order.
The ordinance allows Tallahassee Police Department personnel to act as the complainant, whereas previously, a citizen had to file a complaint. Previously, police officers could only disperse a big crowd if a property owner or business agreed to a trespass notice.
This change was initially intended to cope with massive parking lot parties that began to appear in 2020. “Parking lot parties” appear to have caused violent outbreaks that have led to shootings, according to TPD.
Business owners have complained about clubs and bars operating late during weeknights.
Meanwhile, city commissioners have recently implemented keeping amplified music indoors at 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. at reasonable volume.
Pocket’s Sports Bar and Tastees off North Monroe Street are right next door to a church, an office for Florida Department of Children and Families and a local school. While typical businesses would not coincide with normal bar hours, other events, such as happy hours and brunches tend to affect after-hour events during weeknights. Such as, bible study and open house on weeknights but many bar-goers are not necessarily aware of these issues in the community.
“I come to this bar all the time, I didn’t think it would interfere with other businesses because of the hours. I can see sometimes how this area can cause excessive noise in the parking lot at times but I never see issues arise within the bar itself,” said Tyrell James who regularly goes to Pocket’s sports bar.
Officers are given the authority to proactively address excessive noise as the complainant, which was not previously available to officers. TPD has noticed a significant reduction in disturbances in high-frequency areas after the ordinance’s adoption.
“We are making sure these laws are being put in place to keep the community safe and amplified sound inside and outside noises are restricted and at reasonable volume,” TPD Officer Daniel Cutchins said.
Police-initiated complaints have increased in the six months since the ordinance was passed in March, as changes have been made and laws have been strictly enforced, according to TPD.