Ithaca Police Arrest Ithaca Police for Noise Violation

ITHACA, New York – Two police officers were arrested by fellow Ithaca Policemen this morning at around 1:30 AM, and charged with violations of the City of Ithaca Noise Ordinance. The sirens on the officers’ car exceeded the decibel maximum imposed by the Ordinance.

The legislation, passed in 2004, is intended to “preserve the public health, peace, welfare and good order by suppressing the making, creation or maintenance of excessive…or unusually loud noises.” It dictates the maximum volume of noise that can occur in a public place at different times of the day.

The arrested officers say they were aware of the volume restrictions, but overlooked them because they were on their way to the site of a break-in.

Two other break-ins and an armed robbery occurred while the IPD officers were questioning the arrested IPD officers, but the radio transmission indicating the location of the incidents was also in excess of the decibel maximum for 1:30AM, so the IPD officers had to arrest the dispatcher before they could get to the scene. The perpetrator was never caught.

“It was an unfortunate outcome for the students whose homes had been intruded, but we did the most important part of our job – we caught the criminal noise-makers. If we just keep the noise down, we can keep underage drinking to a minimum and help keep the streets safe,” said Michael Smith, the Ithaca Police Chief.

The arrested IPD officers are scheduled for an arraignment hearing on Monday.