The Covington noise ordinance enforcement was questioned during a sometimes-heated discussion at the Covington City Council meeting Tuesday night.

Justin Garrett, president of the Urban America Community Social Service Initiative Inc., spoke to the council about a lack of enforcement in predominantly black neighborhoods regarding the loud noise ordinance.

Garrett said the songs being played in cars "tear down the decency and serenity of the neighborhoods," and  he alleged the police are not enforcing the loud noise ordinance in these areas. Quoting a rap song that included profanity, Garrett was admonished by City Council President Trey Blackall for quoting the lyrics. Blackall reminded Garrett that "this is a public meeting, being videotaped to be aired on television" and there was no need to quote the lyrics. "We get it," said Blackall.

Covington Police Chief Richard Palmisano answered the allegations by saying since April 2007 there has been a push to enforce the ordinance across the city and some months there are 100-150 citations regarding the ordinance. Palmisano said, "We feel it has made a big difference." He said there has been a big improvement compared to past years.

City Attorney Deborah Foshee explained the noise ordinance and the five-step fine system, with increased fines and possible jail time for each additional citation. The offender can also be charged with other offenses, such as obscenity, but the officer must be a direct witness to the obscenity and be able to repeat it in court, said Foshee.

Blackall asked Garrett, "In your opinion, the police are not doing enough?" Garrett said he can hear the music when inside his house, and if this was being enforced appropriately, this would not happen. He alleged that tickets issued for breaking the loud noise ordinance were taken care of before they reached court. He said Covington Police Officer Gary Blocker had told him this, but Blocker denied Garrett's statements.

Palmisano explained that it is up to the officer whether to issue a summons or arrest the offender.

Both Covington Mayor Candace Watkins and City Attorney Deborah Foshee invited Garrett to attend mayor's court where such cases are tried.

Garrett  also made allegations that police did not patrol the "grid" area that included black neighborhoods in Covington.

He said his information came from friends within the police department who must remain anonymous.

Palmisano also denied those allegations, saying he has "the entire city" to protect and that regular patrols are made throughout all parts of the city, including black neighborhoods.

City Councilwoman Frances Dunn said she has seen a great increase in patrols in her area. She said people stand at the corner with cell phones.

"When they see the police coming they call and warn each other 'police coming, police coming.' That's their signal to turn the music off and stop selling drugs," said Dunn.

Blackall said if the police did start adding patrols to these neighborhoods, then citizens would say they were being racially profiled and harassed.

Police records for the period of Feb. 22 through March 18 indicate that 17 summonses were issued for the charge of "Disturbing the peace by loud music." Summons were issued for the charge of "Disturbing the peace" an additional eight times, but the nature of the disturbance was not specified.

Garrett continued with other items of concern, including litter on public property. He produced pictures that showed an abandoned refrigerator and other trash in ditches. Blackall asked Garrett, "When does responsibility by private citizens take over?" Garrett said this was on the public right of way, so it's up to city government to clean it up. Blackall asked if city workers were supposed to follow each car and pick up trash that is thrown out of windows. Garrett restated his position that trash on city rights of way is the city government's responsibility.

Watkins said the city does not have the resources available to keep everyone's property cleaned.

Blackall suggested they continue the meeting with Garrett in a government services committee meeting. He asked Garrett for a list of concerns to be addressed so he can have the proper city government personnel attend to address those issues.

The committee meeting has not yet been scheduled.