LETTER TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor: Bringing down the noise can curb the violence
8/21/2017
White nationalist demonstrators, right, clash with a counter demonstrator as he throws a newspaper box at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
One thing communities can do to prevent the kind of violence we saw in Charlottesville, Va., is to have very strong and well-enforced noise ordinances.
Anyone could get a permit to speak where their voice was contained in a designated area. Others could go on about their lives as usual or stand quietly in protest.
People would not be allowed to enter an area or a community with loud vehicles, or while creating any other loud noise. The noise level is often what gets our stress responses elevated. A person who is already imbalanced is particularly vulnerable to getting out of control.
If we want to have true democracy and peace, then lowering the volume of noise everywhere is the best place to start.
PATTY SHEEHAN
Timbercreek Drive