Local coalition member and disability advocate was left bleeding in the road believing they were having a heart attack in a July incident caused by the hazardous Neptune City town horn siren. As first responder, healthcare, child, family, and disability advocates, we are shocked by the events currently under investigation by Neptune City and Senator Gopal’s offices for negligence and misconduct and hold it up as a lived example of the science behind the hazard of noise. 

The events of the day show why the hazardous siren must be replaced as use of the town horn impaired the judgement and wreaked havoc on response protocol in town responders. The noise that brought a coalition member to their knees in pain also impacted the volunteers on duty at the same time. Why else would first responder volunteers leave a fellow human on their hands and knees shaking in pain? Responders under investigation include Neptune City candidate Kim Karlivich, who identified herself as she defended the horn even when acknowledging that it causes pain and suffering to others.

We know that the siren horn system is a hazard. That is why our coalition and others repeatedly raise the issue to town and other officials. After countless conversations, emails, calls, petition signatures, and the still unanswered coalition letter, Neptune City officials ignore and attack those who speak up on this environmental justice issue while continuing to use the siren.

Our members repeatedly warned officials of the potential for injury due to the impact of the device in outreach over many months and in some cases many years. We shared personal stories and expertise from a spectrum of professional perspectives. We speak as healthcare workers, parents, educational leaders, and neighbors. Now someone has gotten hurt while a witnessing response team failed to respond to that emergency and rode away. What will it take for Neptune City Council to make the needed changes to protect public health and safety?

We call on officials to finally act in the public interest. Listen to the people most affected by the hazard of the horn. Replace this broken horn communication system with one that works for everyone.

Share this story and the coalition petition to support our growing movement.

Read more: Sirens: Loud, Ineffective and Risky, Experts Say

“The overuse of lights and sirens, combined with speeding, pose heightened risks to emergency responders and civilians. One expert called it a “public health dilemma.”

Christopher Mele 10.19.2021 for the New York Times