“Noise is the New Smoking”
“The noise has been so loud that I literally cannot do anything to avoid it. (Even Apple’s over-the-ear headphones do NOT help.) … I emailed Providence City Hall office before about this issue, which has lasted for years, but it didn’t help.” — College Hill resident, reporting excessive vehicle noise (July 2026)
“I am a month away from moving out of Providence. While on its face I like my neighborhood, the level of crime and noise are far in excess of what I will tolerate … Illegally modified vehicles traverse through my street all day every day, 24/7. If you haven’t personally experienced this, imagine a grenade … Read more
“I’ve been complaining about [noise from Supreme Auto Detail] at 16 Murray Street for four or five years on PVD311, and to City Council personnel, with no luck whatsoever. Nothing was ever done, so I just gave up. My home is now for sale after 17 years. I’m not going to be a Providence resident … Read more
“I’ve lived in NY City, DC, and Boston and I can honestly say PVD is the noisiest!! Almost every night, there are fireworks being set off, cars racing up and down Parade Street, music blaring from neighbors’ [houses], you name it. It’s ridiculous! As I write this, there are fireworks going off every minute. Where … Read more
“It is hereby declared to be the policy of the city [of Providence] to prohibit unnecessary, excessive, and offensive noise from all sources subject to its police power, for the sole purpose of securing and promoting the public health, comfort, safety, and welfare of the citizenry.” — Providence City Council, Municipal Code Sec. 16-91
“Police do absolutely nothing. When you ask your neighbors to turn down music, they ignore the request. The City Council doesn’t do anything either. There’s one guy who sits outside for hours at a time blasting music. He doesn’t even live near where he always parks. Something needs to be done. Living near Federal Hill … Read more
“Since the weather has gotten warm, we have near constant traffic of loud motorcycles, cars, and ATVs coming up Brook Street. These vehicles make excessive noise, both through engine revving and blaring music. They also often drive unsafely, posing a potential danger to residents in the area … These vehicles pass our house about every … Read more
“The noise problem is serious, including noise from bars and nightclubs, and from vehicles. Ever since former Mayor Elorza allowed 2:00 a.m. liquor licenses over a decade ago in our neighborhood, we have been fighting out-of-control nightclubs ever since. The vehicle noise from souped-up engines and sound systems and modified mufflers in particular has been … Read more
“The Providence Housing Authority projects are the worst places to live: People shout and blast music from their homes or vehicles, as if they live alone. They think they’re bringing joy to others, but in reality, we suffer from hearing loss, anxiety, high blood pressure, and nervousness. We’re alone; no one helps us anymore. Authorities … Read more
“As part of a review of the noise level in our city and improved enforcement, noise should be measured on an ongoing basis in order to produce consistent data. Like any other issue [my administration] would study, we need the technology and the policies in place to properly measure this issue in order to … Read more