As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
SOUND-AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT
Any machine or device for the amplification of the human voice, music
or any other sound. "Sound-amplifying equipment," as used herein, shall not
be construed as including standard automobile radios when used and heard only
by occupants of the vehicle in which installed, nor warning devices on authorized
emergency vehicles nor horns or other warning devices on other vehicles and
only for traffic safety purposes.
SOUND TRUCK
Any motor vehicle or horse-drawn vehicle having mounted thereon or
attached thereto any sound-amplifying equipment.
No person shall operate or cause to be operated any sound truck for
any commercial purpose in the Township of Abington with sound-amplifying equipment
in operation.
No person shall use or cause to be used any sound truck with its sound-amplifying
equipment in operation for any noncommercial purpose in the Township of Abington
until such person shall have filed with the Township Manager, in duplicate,
a statement containing the following information,
A. Name and residence of the person making the statement.
B. Address of place of business of the person making the
statement.
C. License number and motor number of the sound truck to
be used by the person making the statement.
D. Name and address of the person owning the sound truck.
E. Name and address of the person having direct charge of
the sound truck.
F. Name and address of every person who is to use such sound
truck within the township.
G. The purpose for which such sound truck is to be used.
H. A general statement as to the sections of the township
in which such sound truck is proposed to be used.
I. The proposed hours of operation of such sound truck.
J. The days upon which such sound truck is proposed to be
operated within the township.
K. A general description of the sound-amplifying equipment
to be used.
L. The maximum sound-producing power of the sound-amplifying
equipment to be used in or on such sound truck, including the wattage to be
used and the approximate maximum distance for which sound will be thrown from
such sound truck.
Every person using or causing to be used any sound truck for any noncommercial purposes shall amend the statement required by §
140-3 within 48 hours after any change in the information therein furnished.
[Amended 3-11-1976 by Ord. No. 1420]
The Township Manager shall return to the person making the statement required under §
140-3 one copy of such statement with the Manager's permission for the requested operation endorsed thereon, and the copy shall be duly certified by the Township Manager as a correct copy thereof. Such certified copy of such statement shall be in the possession of any person operating the sound truck at all times while the sound-amplifying equipment of such truck is in operation within the township, and such copy shall be promptly displayed to any police officer of the township upon request.
Noncommercial use of sound trucks in the Township of Abington with sound-amplifying
equipment in operation shall be strictly in accordance with the following
regulations:
A. The only sounds to be permitted shall be music and human
speech.
B. Operation shall be prohibited on Sunday and upon any
other day of the week except between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
and between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
C. Sound-amplifying equipment shall not be operated unless
the sound truck upon which such equipment is mounted is operated at a speed
of at least 10 miles per hour, except that when said truck is stopped by traffic,
the said sound-amplifying equipment shall not be operated for longer than
one minute at such stop.
D. Sound-amplifying equipment shall not be operated within
300 feet of any hospital or school.
E. The human speech and the music amplified through such
sound-amplifying device shall not be profane, lewd or indecent.
F. The volume of sound shall be controlled so that it will
not be audible for a distance in excess of 100 yards from the sound truck
and so that the said volume is not unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring, disturbing
or a nuisance to persons within the area of audibility.
G. No sound-amplifying equipment shall be operated with
an excess of 15 watts of power in the last stage of amplification.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, for each and every violation, be sentenced to pay
a fine not in excess of $100 and costs of prosecution, and in default of payment
of any such fine and costs, to imprisonment for not more than ten days, provided
that each day's violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall
constitute a separate offense.