Meeting Notes 080116 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 verbiage to go along with enforcement then it just opens up a can of worms for the other side to say, for example, that the officer did not calibrate his equipment correctly or exactly where – show us on a GPS overlay map --was the officer standing when he took the measurement. In my experience, even with a loud party we get very little to go on using our meters. We rely a lot of times on our conversation with the party hosts, asking themto reposition or turn down their outdoor speakers, and gaining compliance that way. We do not like trying to prove in court under the County noise ordinance that there has been a violation. The rules are not bad: they come from the State and that is how the State operates. It is just very difficult to issue a citation that will hold up in court. In reply to a question from Mr. Hunnell, Commissioner McKee said that the incorporation of a public shooting range into the firefighter/law enforcement training facility that is under early discussion by the County is “more of a long term conversation” that might reach fruition 1-3 years from now. In reply to a question from Mr. Hunnell, Chief Sykes said that he knew of no Sheriff’s Office facility where a training range for young people could be set up, for example, in a basement. Officer Orr said that the NC Wildlife Commission’s hunter safety classes addressed perceptions regarding hunting. We explain that about 5% of the population actively opposes hunting, 5% is pro-hunting, and 90% can take it either way. The behavior of people in either of the poles can influence the opinions of those inthe 90%. We also have a mobile pellet range through which we can introduce young people to safe shooting. About two years ago one person associated with a Girl Scout troop was reluctant for us to bring the mobile range to the troop, but we gained permission to bring it and not only did everyone have a good time but the person who was reluctant became an enthusiastic supporter of us coming back the next year. I would be very interested in us partnering with the County to promote positive perceptions about safe shooting, he said. I have worked with Orange County Safe Kids, which also is interested in safe bicycle use and car seats, to set up the mobile pellet range at community events; as well as the YMCA in Chapel Hill, and Blackwood Farm.Ms. Barksdale said that she would like to see more educational opportunities for young people to learn about firearms safety, so that more people will perceive more positively that responsible people know what they are doing with their guns. Ms. Conti said that much of the negative perceptions about firearms safety is associated with the noise. Some residents of Orange County become afraid when they hear gunfire. An ordinance against unreasonable and burdensome gunfire noise would be a deterrent against those who would create such noise, and so diminish negative perceptions. Mr. Tilley said that he is hearing from Chief Sykes, Mr. Webster, and Mr. Kirkland that a decibel-based approach to gunfire noise would be difficult to implement; if so then that approach would not be a deterrent, he said. Ms. Conti said that a well-publicized ordinance, even if it is difficult to implement, can send a signal that the community expects noise from gunfire to be reasonableand not burdensome. Mr. Tilley said that he thinks the Committee is ready to decide on whether or not an ordinance is needed.Mr. Tesoro said that he is still thinking of safety and noise as “perceived” problems. I don’t think any of us has agreed that there is a real problem, he said. I think the facilitator forced adecision on this at the July 20 meeting, he said, and I have had some time to think about it and