Janesville church’s chimes prompt noise concerns
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Some neighbors of Mt Calvary Lutheran Church at 2940 Mineral Point Rd. say the churche's bells are too loud.
JANESVILLE — Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
But not too joyful.
And definitely not when somebody might be watching “All My Children.”
A man living on Waveland Road in Janesville would like the noise coming from Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church to be less joyful—or at least quieter.
Now, after calls to the city attorney’s office, four police reports and the work of several officers, he’ll get his way.
It’s hard to know what, if anything, the decision means for Janesville churches that play bells or chimes.
“I can’t comment because there may be the potential for prosecution,” said Tim Wellnitz, assistant city attorney.
Really?
Yes, really.
According to police reports, the resident complained that the bells played for five minutes at noon and 5 p.m. and “the noise was excessively loud, so much so that he cannot hear his television inside of his house.”
On April 27, Officer Gary Myers did the initial investigation, and he found he could hear the music at least three city blocks away.
On April 28, Officer Aaron Ellis was investigating an accident at Parker High School when he heard the bells faintly and noted that they sounded for about one minute.
On April 29, Officer Laurie Valley reported the chimes rang for two minutes and could be heard for “approximately two-and-one-half to three city blocks” away.
Janesville’s ordinance 9.42.010 covers noise complaints: “No person shall make any unnecessary and annoying noise. No person shall, through the means of sound amplifiers or other instruments, make or emit loud or raucous noises … ”
So, does that mean no more music from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Center Avenue? Will St. John Vianney have to stop ringing bells for the Angelus, the daily call to prayer?
What about the loudspeakers at Monterery Stadium, the music at the Rock County 4-H Fair or the budda-budda-budda sounds that UPS trucks make when they’re slowing down?
“What’s disturbing to one person might not be disturbing to another,” said Janesville Police Chief Dave Moore.
Sure, but why all the police response? It’s difficult to imagine officer Myers went to a police academy to learn how to deal with loud hymns.
“We assist citizens with a myriad of concerns. This is just one of them,” Moore said.
The number of police reports is more of a “systems thing” than a reflection of police time.
“These types of complaints that have a lower importance go in a folder that goes out to area patrols,” Moore explained. “Patrol officers investigate such matters as they are able.”
Time spent on the unruly bells was probably “tens of minutes,” he added.
“It’s not like we’re putting all kinds of resources into this,” Moore said.
Fortunately, it all ended happily. The church agreed to turn down its joyful noise to accommodate television viewers.
That Janesville residents complain—and the police respond—to such issues says something about life here.
“I think this really reflects the quality of life we have here in Janesville,” Moore said.
