Hanford adopts new ordinance against noisy neighbors

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Hanford City Council voted Tuesday night to adopt a rule that allows police officers to ticket people if officers can hear the noise themselves from a certain distance.

Under the old policy, law enforcement had to get a neighbor to agree to be a victim and sign a form with their name on it, identifying the perpetrator.

The Hanford Police Chief said the old policy didn't work because few people wanted to go on record against their neighbors.

The new standard, known as the "plainly audible" ordinance, allows officers to issue a warning or citation if they can hear the noise from 50 feet or more after 10 p.m.