New ‘noise law’ allows Police to enter homes without warrant

The new legislation allows police to enter home if owner doesn’t respond or if the noise violation may do harm to the public’s well-being.

By Moran Azulay

 

The Knesset on Monday approved in its second and third readings a bill that allows the police to enter private houses under certain circumstances if they are perceived to be violating noise regulations.

TOO Loud (illustration) - Photo: Shutterstock

TOO Loud (illustration) – Photo: Shutterstock

The bill, which was submitted by MK Miri Regev (Likud-Beiteinu), the chairwoman of the Knesset’s Internal Affairs and Environment Committee, was supported by 47 lawmakers. Only four MKs voted against the legislation.

The bill permits police to enter the establishment only if there is reason to believe the noise violation is causing significant harm to the public well-being. According to the bill, the officer must identify himself upon entering the home.

The bill, which the committee referred to as a “watered-down” version of the original bill, does not enable police to carry out a search of the establishment when responding to the noise complaint, a stipulation that was allowed in the previous wording of the bill.

During the committee’s deliberations, police representatives pushed for the legislation, saying that some 286,000 complaints regarding excessive noise are received each year. The police reps said that in most cases the people violating the noise regulations prevent officers from entering the homes.

 

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4402539,00.html