Remerton is likely a little more quiet than usual this week. Not because Remerton Police are training with new sound-level meters designed to monitor noise levels from the town’s late-night clubs.
No, Remerton is a little quieter because the clubs probably won’t be as busy this week. Spring break has emptied the area of Valdosta State University students, who are the clubs’ largest group of patrons.
Granted, Remerton police will be using the sound-level meters in the future, but spring break underscores one issue with the timing of the meters’ arrival. By the time Remerton police are fully trained and using the meters, VSU students will likely be leaving for summer break.
Noise will automatically drop because students have made the annual summer exodus out of town. The meters will have mattered little in curbing the noise at least in the short term.
We mention this simply because Remerton’s noise levels have been an issue within this city within Valdosta’s city limits since the return of students at the end of last summer.
Several Remerton residents complained of late-night noise from bands and patrons of the town’s many bars. Bar-owners have countered that they are simply trying to do business. Remerton officials have gone back and forth on the issue. And Remerton police have been caught in the middle, fielding calls from sleep-deprived residents and fielding complaints from bar owners who feel tough noise restrictions will deprive them of business.
Remerton has been caught in a struggle between its many identities. Is it a party town? A residential neighborhood? Or a historic business district? It has strived to be all three and, at times, more.
Yet, late-night noise has been the most vocal divide. And Remerton’s official timing has been off throughout the issue. City officials conducted a noise study last year; however, they looked at noise on a week when VSU students were out of class and out of town. So, the results were questionable.
And now, when it seems the town will finally resolve the matter, enforcing a noise ordinance with help from sound-level meters, another VSU academic year is nearing a close.
Granted, there remain weeks left in VSU’s semester so the meters may have an impact prior to the end of class. And while some Remerton residents may have wished results came sooner, they should remember: Even if the meters do not make an impact this academic year, Remerton police will still have them come fall.
If residents feel the meters are not being used then, it’s likely the bar won’t be the only thing in Remerton generating noise.
