A 30- day grace period is coming to an end in Bossier City, clearing the way for police to begin issuing tickets for cars that make too much noise or have windows with tint that's too dark. The tougher approach will begin this week, according to city spokesman Mark Natale.
Bossier's city council passed an ordinance in May which allows the police department to begin strictly enforcing a Louisiana law that has been on the books for some time.
The crackdown takes aim at drivers whose car windows are darker than the legal limits, and whose car stereos and tail pipes emit sounds that are too loud. In Louisiana, all front windows must carry a tint numbered no less than 40--the level which allows 40 percent of light to enter the vehicle. The back side and rear windows can be slightly darker, according to the Bossier City Police Department.
"People like dark tint. They like loud stereos," said Brad Clary of Audio and Tint Concepts in Bossier City, a business that specializes in custom windows and sounds.
Clary said he believes the crackdown will ultimately drive away future clients, scaring them into avoiding having any customized work done. In the meantime, though, he said business is good--mainly because of the police department's tougher stance.
"As of now, we're booked out on tint until about the 29th of this month from callers...wanting either tint stripped off their glass or retinted at that time to state legal requirements," he said.
Police said the tickets will apply to the person driving the vehicle, rather than the registered owner. According to state law, the company that installed the illegal tint can also be cited.
A first time offense for illegal tint carries a $150 fine, but the amount can go up to $350 for repeat offenses. Noise violations range from $100 to $500, depending on the number of offenses.
