NJ, Philly Lawmakers Trying To Help End 'Boom-Car' Parties

ALONG THE DELAWARE RIVER — New Jersey lawmakers will be taking steps to regulate "boom-car parties," the loud, music-playing events that have been disrupting the lives of many South Jersey residents since at least 2017, Patch has learned.

State Assemblyman William W. Spearman, whose district contains some of the impacted communities, "recently met with the concerned stakeholders and elected officials including and surrounding the 5th district .... to address the boom car concerns," Krista Gonzalez, Spearman's legislative director, told Patch in an email.

During the meeting, Spearman said he intends to introduce legislation that will allow law enforcement officials to regulate the boom cars in New Jersey and share the legislation with elected officials and police from the city of Philadelphia," Gonzalez continued.

"This partnership is crucial to ensure that the obstruction and inconvenience the boom cars have caused to our residents will be eliminated on both sides of the river," she continued.

State Assemblyman William F. Moen, who is in the same district as Spearman, told Patch he wholeheartedly supports efforts to bring the "boom-car parties" under control.

"I share the frustration of our residents who are dealing with this issue and understand the frustration of the city officials and law enforcement who are working to address the issue," he said. " I will work alongside Senator Cruz Perez and Assemblyman Spearman at the State House to identify solutions and draft legislation that will aim to better regulate boom cars."

Assemblyman Spearman hopes to introduce his bill before the end of the session, according to Gonzalez.

Across the river in Philadelphia, City Councilmember Mark Squilla has introduced an ordinance that would ban "loud noise emanating from a motor vehicle" and allow "use of an automated system [such as decibel meters and cameras] for determining violations of that prohibition, all under certain terms and conditions."

Under Squilla's proposed ordinance, unpermitted events that contain sound that measures five decibels "above background level measured from a distance of 25 or more feet" would be subject to fines similar to those levied against those who violate the city's parking rules.

Squilla's proposed ordinance may be discussed during a Philadelphia Streets and Services Committee Meeting this week, according to Philadelphia City Council's website.

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