A day after the City Council approved a package of bills aimed at reducing noise pollution across the five boroughs, City Councilman Keith Powers, the sponsor of the bill, touted the legislation as a reasonable measure aimed at quieting the city’s noisiest offenders.

“[Noise pollution] is a public health hazard. During the pandemic and afterwards we have seen noise complaints skyrocket in this city,” Powers told “Mornings On 1" anchor Pat Kiernan. “I’ve talked to a lot of New Yorkers. They understand they live in a city and it’s going to be noisy, but they don’t want that level of noise, and they want a peaceful night of sleep.”

The package of bills also facilitates noise inspections, and according to Powers, creates accountability for the way noise complaints are handled. 

Most notable in the legislation is an expansion of the city’s noise camera program, which utilizes technology capable of pinpointing a vehicle that is incessantly honking or has, for example, a poor muffler making extreme noise. It then tracks that vehicle’s license plate and issues a fine with the registered owner of the vehicle.

Powers assured the public he’s not interested in ticketing “everyday” drivers who use their horns only when necessary. 

“We’re going after those who are potentially using an illegal vehicle, a modified vehicle, some that are really acting loudly. I was in the Midtown Tunnel. The amount of complaints we get around there is incredible. It’s the honking, but it’s also people just speeding,” Powers said.

First-time offenders will be slapped with an $800 fine for producing more than 85 decibels of noise, according to the bill. Repeat offenders will face a $2,500 fee.