Resident asks council to enforce noise rules after mosque loudspeaker complaints; police say recent measurements found no violations

Resident Andrea Unger told the Dearborn City Council she has recorded loudspeaker announcements from a mosque at 6345 Schafer that play twice daily and, she said, often exceed 70 decibels. "Loudspeakers in our ordinance are not allowed for vendors to send out messages," Unger said, asking the council to read and enforce the noise ordinance to protect residents' quiet enjoyment.

Jordan Twardy, director of economic development, and Issa Shaheen, chief of police, responded that the city focuses enforcement on measured decibel levels, not the presence of speakers alone, and that police have conducted extensive sound readings. "We did dozens of them across the city over the last several months, and we didn't have any violations," Chief Shaheen said. He added that the police/legal opinion has been that amplified audio is permissible between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.; council asked the legal department to re-examine the ordinance language and provide a written opinion.

Council members stressed the difference between equipment on a building and the level of sound emitted. Council asked staff to provide the relevant ordinance text and measurement records and to return with a legal opinion and enforcement plan as needed. Unger had said citations were issued in past years but that repeated readings and ongoing loudspeaker use have left neighbors frustrated. Council indicated it will follow up with a report to clarify whether current ordinance language and past legal guidance fully address the situation.