My usual protocol for obnoxious intrusive loud music from vehicles is to politely ask the owner to turn the volume down, especially the subwoofer which will shake your house down to the foundation. I explain that part of being a good neighbor is to not annoy everybody else and that I'm sure that they would not like to listen to my music either. If they ask what kind of music I prefer I tell them, "Alpine yodeling".

If they refuse to turn the music down then I make it a point to write down the license plate number in their presence. When they ask why I'm doing that, I tell them that I am calling the police to report a violation of VC 27007 - loud music from a vehicle which is an infraction. It is a violation if the amplified noise can be heard at a distance of 50 feet from the vehicle.

If that doesn't get their attention then you can tell them that since you informed them that the noise is disturbing you and you have asked them to turn it down and been refused, then you can only assume that they are playing the music loudly with malicious intent and are therefore in violation of PC 415. 2 - peace disturbance which is a misdemeanor offense.

If they still refuse (or comply, but turn it up again as soon as you have returned to your house) then make a call to your law enforcement agency of jurisdiction. The responding officer has some options when a misdemeanor has been committed in his presence: he can ask the violator to cease and desist; he can issue the violator a promise to appear in court; or , my favorite, he can take the violator forthwith and seize the vehicle (or the car stereo and speakers) as evidence (fruits and instrumentalities of a crime).

This is a quality of life issue that needs to be dealt with on a communitywide basis. I would like to see legislation enacted that would allow law enforcement to asset forfeiture these noise polluters.

Annon 42

Good idea, Ms Emily, to get the neighbors to help. The police are more likely to pay heed when there is more than one reporting person. As for personally contacting the offender use your own good judgment. My experience has been that, for the most part, they genuinely are in their own world and don't realize that they are disturbing others because no one has told them before. From what I can see from the photo insert on this blog these offenders don't appear to fit a thug profile. I have spoken to more than a few neighbors on my block about their noise and have had compliance. Now, I only have to step outside my door and I get a friendly wave and an apologetic "sorry". On the other hand, there were some offenders on the block behind my house that were real gangsters. I started by being polite and asking for the music to be turned down. When that didn't work, I went into my regular protocol and also enlisted the aid of like minded people on that block. With repeated calls to Police and pressure from Probation they disappeared. I don't know if they moved or are in-custody but the house is now vacant and up for sale.  There is now peace and quiet....except for the occasional drive-by!  (ha, just kidding).

Annon 42