'Boom Party' Crackdown Proposed In Philly As Noise Plagues Cinnaminson

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's City Council could increase penalties for blasting music at "boom parties" — noisy gatherings which have plagued Cinnaminson residents for years.

A bill introduced Thursday would impose a fine of up to $2,000 and allow law enforcement to seize "nuisance vehicles" participating in the events. The legislation defines nuisance vehicles as those amplifying noise that can be heard more than 100 feet away.

The blaring noise from boom parties — large gatherings where people blast music from cars with massive speakers — has irritated local residents for several years. While the parties generally occur in Philadelphia, residents can hear the noise across the Delaware River in communities such as Cinnaminson and Palmyra.

If passed, Philadelphia would have a significantly steeper punishment for those blasting music from their vehicles. Under the city's current noise ordinance, offenders can get fined $100-300 for violating "quiet hours" between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. Anyone with four or more offenses can get fined $500 or higher.

The bill's penalties wouldn't apply to vehicles used in city-permitted events.

The legislation would allow people to claim their vehicle was wrongfully seized if it gets confiscated. But if an owner doesn't contest the citation or pay the fine within eight days, officials would consider the vehicle automatically forfeited to the city.

The Philadelphia bill was referred to a council committee, where members will hold a hearing before voting on the measure.