Noise In The News: Weekly Round-Up

by Quiet Communities Staff

Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio

New Yorkers want relief from persistent helicopter noise

Staten Island residents are once again asking for relief from constant helicopter noise that shakes their homes and rattles their windows. Flight trackers show that many of these flights originate in New Jersey, and some are sightseeing helicopters that fly over Staten Island so tourists can see the Statue of Liberty and other New York City landmarks. Unfortunately, the helicopter noise is most prevalent in the evening, disrupting life and distressing residents until 10 p.m.

‘What does listening mean to you?’

The Evelyn Glennie Foundation and Cities and Memory have launched “Ways of Listening,” an open call around the globe inviting creative responses to the question, “What does listening mean to you?” The call will last through June 19. Submissions across all mediums, including sound, music, video, poetry and visual art, will be showcased as an interactive online exhibition on July 18, which is World Listening Day.

Colorado amphitheater owners sued for noise violations

The owners of the Ford Amphitheater, an 8,000-seat open-air venue in Colorado Springs, were sued this week over continuing issues with noise pollution from concerts. The residents who sued said the amphitheater creates a public nuisance, as multiple concerts violate state’s Noise Abatement Act. They are seeking an injunction that prevents future noise law violations. The leader of the company that owns the venue told The Colorado Springs Gazette this week that he doesn’t think the state noise statute underpinning the complaint applies to the Ford Amphitheater based on how the venue is structured.