Muncie noise exemptions reviewed after weekend shooting at large party
Muncie police are again asking the city Board of Works to grant fewer exemptions to Muncie’s noise ordinance, after a weekend party of hundreds of people saw an argument that boiled over into violence. As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann, that party had been granted an exemption.
In July, the Muncie Board of Works granted a noise ordinance exemption for a gathering at Willard and Hackley on the city’s east side. This week, Muncie Police Chief Nathan Sloan told the board that what was presented at that meeting was not what happened on the night of July 30.
“This party was completely out of control…. No fault of yours. It was signed for 75 people. That was clearly not what the intention was, or at least what the outcome was.”
Officials previously said the owner of the building had gotten a city noise ordinance exemption, but only for a gathering of 75 people until 9:00 pm. Gunshots were called into Delaware County dispatch just after 1:00 am. Estimates put the crowd at between 500 and 1,000 people.
Chief Sloan said the department was trying to make contact with the property owner on Saturday night to shut down the large party.
“We did make an initial phone call,” he said. “We asked that that party be shut down. It was not shut down. And then we tried to call several other times, and he refused to take our call.”
Sloan is asking the Board of Works to consider additional checks when granting an exemption and permission for street closures, like insurance and security requirements and approving no multi-day exemptions.
Board chair Ted Baker gave the board’s condolences to the community.
“In light of what’s happened, we are going to take a little bit of time and review any and all procedures, just to make sure the bases are covered.”
This isn’t the first time Muncie police have asked for fewer exemptions. Last September, Deputy Chief Chris Deegan appeared in front of the board.
“People in the neighborhoods call us, repeatedly, to deal with the noise problem, and we are left with no recourse. That’s kind of why the ordinance is in place to begin with.”
Muncie’s noise ordinance includes both decibel levels of noises and consideration of a gathering’s distance from other homes.
The board chair at that time said the board would consider adding police or fire department approval of exemptions. But any action on that was tabled for several meetings, then stopped being mentioned.