AULANDER – We’ve all encountered it. You drive up to a gas pump and from the unattended car one pump over, the ground literally shakes from the boom coming from the car’s radio.

Or, you’re trying to enjoy a quiet afternoon or evening at home and a neighbor decides to find out how many notches there are on the volume control of their stereo or television.

Maybe the music provider thinks everyone wants to hear their music, or maybe they’re just not aware how far the sound travels.

But in Aulander, beginning Dec. 15, you’re subject to a citation if you want to make unwanted loud public performance a side hobby.

The Aulander Town Council unanimously passed a new ordinance that authorizes law enforcement officers to write citations for anyone who doesn’t abide by the law.

Police Chief Jimmy Barmer stated, &uot;We’ve had many complaints about people playing music too loud, and what we’re trying to do is put regulations in place that would cut it out.&uot;

Barmer said the new noise ordinance makes it unlawful to play music loud enough to be heard over five feet from a vehicle and over 50 feet from a residence.

Though the ordinance does not go into effect until the middle of next month, Barmer will be sharing warnings with anyone not abiding by the law.

&uot;I want to give people a chance to get use to the ordinance,&uot; he said. &uot;From now until Dec. 15, we will write warnings to anyone who doesn’t comply with the noise ordinance.

&uot;When the ordinance goes into effect, it will carry a $50 fine for the first offense, a $75 fine for the second offense and a $100 fine for the third offense,&uot; he concluded.