Police clarify noise enforcement after initial ATV warning draws attention
By Christopher Kelleher
SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. — The Southbridge Police Department issued a clarification following widespread attention to an earlier post that warned of a “zero tolerance” approach to ATV-related noise complaints, including on private property.
The original message, released earlier Friday, stated that ATV operators could be cited if a complaint was received — even when riding on private property with the owner’s permission — and warned that property owners themselves could face violations under the town’s noise bylaw.
The post also encouraged residents to report disturbances “at any time of the day or night,” and described enforcement as a “zero tolerance” approach in response to what officials said were ongoing complaints.
Clarification broadens scope, softens focus on private property
In a follow-up statement, the department said the message was not intended to target ATV use alone, but rather to address enforcement of the town’s noise bylaw more broadly.
Officials said the bylaw applies to a range of situations, including loud vehicles, amplified music, and properties that generate repeated complaints requiring multiple police responses.
The department also emphasized that activity on private property is not the primary focus of enforcement.
“What individuals choose to do on their private property is their business,” the statement reads.
Enforcement based on observation and judgment
According to the department, enforcement requires an officer to personally observe a disturbance and determine whether the noise would be considered unreasonable to a “reasonable person of normal sensitivity.”
Officers must agree that a violation has occurred before any citation is issued. In some cases, the department said, officers have attempted to resolve complaints informally before considering enforcement action.
No citations have been issued to date.
Safety concerns cited on public roadways
In addition to noise complaints, the department pointed to ongoing safety concerns involving ATV use on public roads, including reports of juveniles riding without helmets and operating at unsafe speeds.
ATVs were referenced in the initial post, officials said, because they represent a significant portion of recent complaints received by the department.
Public attention follows initial warning
The clarification follows significant discussion online after the department’s initial post, which drew attention for its broad language regarding enforcement, including potential citations tied to complaints on private property.
The department has made the full Noise Control By-Law available to the public, including provisions outlining enforcement standards and exceptions.