Spring is in the air … and so is the loud music, say Natchez aldermen. Aldermen Sue Stedman, Ward 3, and David Massey, Ward 5, both said Tuesday they have received complaints from residents about loud music from passing vehicles.

&uot;I know it’s spring, and people have their windows rolled down,&uot; Stedman said. &uot;But I’ve had several encounters where I’ve pulled up alongside somebody and, even with my windows closed, I could not hear the radio in my car for the radio in their car.&uot;

Massey agreed and said it is not only the volume of the music, but the lyrics that are causing complaints.

&uot;It’s not like their playing Louie, Louie,&uot; he said, drawing laughter from those present.

But on a serious note, both Massey and Stedman asked Natchez Police Chief Willie Huff to step up officer patrols on noise ordinance violations.

Huff said the public may not realize how many citations for noise violations officers actually write, because only the names of the people who don’t pay the fine and are arrested on contempt of court appear in The Democrat.

Municipal Judge John R. Tipton said he heard approximately 19 cases on noise ordinance violations last week alone, the minimum fine for which is $189.

At the suggestion of Massey, Huff said he will put together a handout detailing the city’s noise ordinance for distribution at local electronics retailers.

Ward 4 Alderman Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West asked Huff and City Attorney Walter Brown about the legality of confiscating speakers from individuals cited for violation of the noise ordinance.

Both said they did not think confiscation was a possibility under the law.

Stedman also requested that Huff increase police action on littering within city limits.

&uot;Litter is becoming a real problem,&uot; she said. It also costs the city money to clean up after litterers.