ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Owners of loud vehicles soon could pay for the noise pollution they generate.
City officials last week presented some of the benefits and costs of “noise cameras" that detect and cite vehicles that violate a municipality’s noise ordinance.
The automated devices, which use cameras and microphones, are used in New York City and Knoxville, Tennessee, and they’re being piloted in many other cities, including Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“A lot of cities are really leveraging technology to address their noise issues.”Allentown City Councilman Santo Napoli
“A lot of cities are really leveraging technology to address their noise issues,” Councilman Santo Napoli said. He’s leading the push to include at least a pilot program for noise cameras in the 2026 budget.
Napoli recommended council find $20,000 in next year's budget for a pilot program that would put noise cameras at key intersections. He suggested any ticket-related revenues should be used to expand their coverage throughout the city.
Using technology would let the city “finally start addressing some of the issues we're experiencing with these modified mufflers, with loud music,” without increasing the “burden” on city employees, Napoli said.
'Force multiplier'
Allentown Police Department gets numerous complaints about loud vehicles and music, Police Chief Charles Roca said. He labeled noise as “one of the biggest quality-of-life concerns” in the city.
New enforcement technologies are a “force multiplier” for the Allentown Police Department, which is dozens of officers short of a full staff, Roca said.
Allentown prohibits motor vehicles from causing noise disturbances between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily. Vehicles must be equipped with an effective muffler or noise-suppression system.Allentown City Code
The department uses audio-surveillance devices from Flock Safety to detect and alert officers to gunshots in the city. Roca said that technology “has been instrumental in reducing crime.”
Allentown’s city code prohibits motor vehicles from causing noise disturbances between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily. Vehicles must be equipped with an effective muffler or noise-suppression system.
Construction sites must keep noise levels under 85 decibels, while noise in public-entertainment spaces can reach 90 decibels, under Allentown code.
Its limits do not apply to noise created by utility, municipal and emergency workers, trains, places of religious worship or Queen City Airport and planes that use it.
The code calls for the city to have a board that includes a professional audiologist or acoustician to hear appeals from people cited under the noise ordinance.
Noise cameras were among a package of potential budgetary initiatives considered Wednesday night by city officials and City Council members.
Mayor Matt Tuerk must deliver his 2026 budget proposal by Oct. 18.
School bus cameras
An automated ticketing system already in place in Allentown has faced scrutiny earlier this year.
BusPatrol America operates Allentown School District’s bus stop-arm camera program, which is designed to detect when drivers pass a stopped school bus with its stop-arm extended.
Local officials issued more than 3,100 citations across the first three months of 2025.
Under the program, school districts are responsible for partnering with a local police entity to oversee the camera system.
BusPatrol owns the technology, including cameras and license-plate readers installed on participating school buses.
The company also provides administrative support — such as mailing violation notices and processing payments — to participating municipalities and school districts.
Citations of $300 cover the cost of the program, with revenues divided among BusPatrol, the school district and police. Some money is allocated to the state's School Bus Safety Grant Program.
BusPatrol has fought the release of its contract with the Allentown School District, though some of its contracts with other school districts are publicly available.
Last month, it appealed in Lehigh County Court after Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records ordered the release of its full contract and related records with the Allentown School District.
The Office of Open Records order followed an appeal for the contract and records by LehighValleyNews.com.
The company argues information in the contract should be protected as “confidential proprietary information.”
