Davenport looks to turn down the volume on car stereos

Most of us have experienced the thumpa-thumpa-thumpa of an inconsiderate motorist passing by our house in the wee hours. In response to heavy complaints, Davenport leaders will vote today on a measure that would crack down on drivers with loud stereos. City attorney Tom Warner says the ordinance would allow for the confiscation of the offender’s car radio.Citizens can make complaints and if three complaints come in about an individual within 12 months, that person would be hauled into court. Warner says the fine could be up to 500-dollars and the stereo could be ordered removed for one year. If the person is caught with the stereo back in the car, he or she could be found in contempt of court and face jailtime. Warner says one bug exists in the ordinance, namely, that the police officer must hear the offender with the loud stereo.If a citizen calls in the complaint, a responding officer would likely not be able to get there in time to hear the offender, if it’s just the typical passer-by. The ordinance goes before the Davenport council at its 7 o’clock meeting tonight for the first of three readings.