BY JESSICA PARKS
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed
a southern Brooklyn lawmaker’s
bill on Oct. 29 invoking
harsher penalties for illegal
muffl ers in an effort to deter
the behavior that disturbs
communities across the state,
especially places where drag
racing has become a scourge.
“Others who feel that they
have the ability to assault people
in their community with
the loud drag racing noise and
the loud muffl ers on their motorcycles
and cars,” Hochul
said. “They seem to not care
about other people and now we
are giving them a message you
need to care or else there are
fi nancial consequences.”
The SLEEP (Stop Loud and
Excessive Exhaust Pollution)
Act, authored by state Sen.
Andrew Gounardes, aims to
fi nally combat the longtime
annoyance of altered muffl ers
by raising fi nes for the violation
COURIER L 32 IFE, NOVEMBER 5-11, 2021
to $1,000 for cars, and $500
for motorcycles.
“We think $1,000 is gonna
hit people,” Gounardes previously
told Brooklyn Paper.
“If you’re gonna spend a couple
hundred bucks souping
up your car in the fi rst place,
illegally, you should have no
problem paying the price for
breaking the law. We’re not
criminalizing anything new
here.”
Another facet of the legislation
will bring penalties to
auto body shops that sell or
install the modifi ed muffl ers,
with the risk of losing their
operating license if found in
violation three times.
While many New Yorkers
are used to the constant hum
of living in a big city, the muffl
er noise often comes late at
night (top offenders are local
drag racers), worsening the
issue in more transit-barren
parts of the Big Apple that
Gov. Kathy Hochul was joined by southern Brooklyn community leaders at Il Centro on Oct. 29, when she signed
into law a Gounardes bill to combat loud muffl ers into law. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Offi ce
tend to have more drivers.
“When there is voluntary
noise, noise does not have to
be there, and it assaults your
ears at a time when you should
be getting the rest your body
desperately needs after a long
day as a New Yorker,” Hochul
said. “Then we have to step up
and do something.”
But the governor, who
signed the bill at Bensonhurst’s
Il Centro, said this is
even an issue in her hometown
of Buffalo.
Hochul, who is now being
challenged in the 2022 Democratic
primary by Brooklynite
Letisha James, praised the
bill’s Kings County legislators
for hearing the concerns of
their community and working
on substantial remedies.
“When that quality of life is
reduced, some people have the
courage to stand up while others
don’t engage in the fi ght
but we are here today because
of… the advocates who stepped
up,” Hochul said. “But then
you need to have a partner in
government. You need to have
someone who listens to you,
someone who cares so deeply
about this community.”
Councilmember Justin
Brannan thanked his partner
in the State Senate for pushing
the legislation, which he said
was truly introduced by their
constituents who brought the
problem to their attention.
Pipe down!
Governor signs bill raising
fi nes for loud muffl ers
R.T.C. is Back!
We are finally ready to bring the gift of live theatre back to Rockaway!
To thank our community for its patience and generous support, we are
presenting a very special free event:
A revue featuring tunes from great Broadway musicals.
5 Performances Only
November 12 @ 8:00 PM
November 13 @8:00 PM
November 14 @ 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM
November 15 @ 8:00 PM
All Seats must be reserved!
For Reservations visit our website: rockwaytheatrecompany.org
PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE FOLLOWING N.P.S. REGULATION COVID PROTOCOLS-
No one will be admitted without proof of vaccination and photo I.D.
A mask must be worn at all times while inside the building.
*Please do not attempt to remove your mask during the performance!
Your reservation will be automatically cancelled if you appear at the theater without these items
Get to the theater at least 20 minutes before the start of a performance.
Our staff needs time to check covid vaccine credentials
STAY
INFORMED!
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