by Ron Nesler
Boom Box cars and vehicles with illegal mufflers designed to increase engine noise rather than reduce it are a huge (and unnecessary!) problem in Las Cruces.
These and other sources of intentionally generated noise pollution invade the privacy of our homes and adversely effect our health. They cause or aggravate sleep deprivation, stress, excessive aggression, high blood pressure, and many other serious health problems.
They also violate private property rights, lower our property values and openly foster a dangerous disregard for law and order as well as simple civility.
These devices are manufactured, sold and used solely for the purpose of inflicting this unwanted noise on innocent people. This is clearly an act of wanton violence. Both the users of these noise “weapons” and those who sell them have a liability for the harm they cause.
Other cities have successfully addressed this problem. For Las Cruces the solution merely requires that we enforce simple laws that are already on the books.
Convincing the City government to do so is the primary difficulty. If anyone has a workable plan for action on this issue I am ready roll up my sleeves and help. Any suggestions? Let’s talk.
Published in the Las Cruces Sun-News (New Mexico) on Saturday, November 16, 2002.