GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Some protestors have been very loud with megaphones outside healthcare facilities in Grand Rapids, such as the Planned Parenthood facility on Cherry Street.
So, the city commission is now considering whether to crack down on what some say may be a violation of Grand Rapids' noise ordinance. The city attorney's office has asked the city commission to consider adopting an amended ordinance to limit amplified sound near the entrances of buildings.
"Because of concerns we've been hearing from citizens about amplified noise around healthcare facilities," Mayor David LaGrand said at Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting.
Deputy City Attorney Philip Strom told city commissioners what he has observed at times.
"Occasionally, the protestors were on loudspeakers. Sometimes, they were engaged with people walking by - pedestrians in regular conversation. But from a 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. block, there's constantly people in this location making noise," Strom said.
The current city ordinance prohibits any amplified sound on public property that is louder than the average conversational level at a distance of more than 100 feet.
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