Croton police have traced the loud music that jolted residents on recent weekends to a vehicle with a large roof-mounted speaker parked at a state park across the Hudson River in Rockland County.
Village Manager Bryan Healy and Mayor Brian Pugh during discussion of the source of the loud music complaints at the Board Of Trustees meeting.
Village Manager Bryan Healy and Mayor Brian Pugh during discussion of the source of the loud music complaints at the Board Of Trustees meeting.
Police Chief John Nikitopoulos, joined by Detective Nicholas DiTomasso, briefed the Board of Trustees at a special June 9 meeting. Nikitopoulos said the department had been receiving complaints for weeks about music so powerful it was vibrating houses. "We have been trying to locate the source," [source][1:02] Nikitopoulos told the board. Officers initially suspected the sound was coming from boats on the Hudson. The department deployed its patrol boat the previous Friday night from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., but the music did not begin until 4 a.m. — two hours after the boat had come off the water. The breakthrough came from a resident who drove across the river and photographed the vehicle: a car with a large speaker mounted on its roof, parked at Haverstraw Beach State Park. Croton's detective division identified the owner, and Haverstraw police spoke with the person earlier on June 9. Nikitopoulos said the department also established a point of contact with State Park Police, who have jurisdiction over the area.
Presenters address the board during discussion of the car speaker subculture.
Presenters address the board during discussion of the car speaker subculture.
DiTomasso told the board that the vehicle is part of a broader subculture of car owners who mount massive speakers for parades and competitions, with 15 or more vehicles participating in the events. An NYPD operation about a year or two ago resulted in the seizure of eight similar vehicles, he said. The speaker on the Croton-linked vehicle, while substantial, is modest compared to others in the network. Nikitopoulos echoed that assessment after seeing photographs of other vehicles' systems. "What's on that car is small compared to what's on other ones," [source][5:32] he said, describing the money and sound output devoted to the hobby as remarkable. A board member remarked that photographs of the vehicle looked like a Photoshop job rather than a real car. The department has determined that even though the noise originates across the river, Croton can issue a summons for disorderly conduct and bring the case to village court. The detective division will be on call over the weekend, and Croton detectives will respond in person if State Park Police cannot locate the vehicle. Nikitopoulos said DiTomasso had emailed all sergeants and patrol officers with the contact information before the meeting.
Presenters sit at the table during discussion of the authenticity of the vehicle photographs.
Presenters sit at the table during discussion of the authenticity of the vehicle photographs.
Mayor Brian Pugh thanked Haverstraw police for their assistance. The department plans to issue a press release so residents know the source has been identified. After the police briefing, the board voted 4-0 to enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter.