Katie McCormick describes late-night party boat noise

Next is Katie McCormick, followed by Kiana Diaz.

You may begin.

Good afternoon, and thank you for allowing me to speak today.

My name is Katie McCormick, and I am a City Island resident.

I support the city's efforts to study ferry service to City Island, but I believe Orchard Beach should seriously be considered as a location for a ferry landing, given its parking, open space, accessibility, and existing waterfront infrastructure.

But I also want to address another issue that is directly affecting waterfront residents, the ongoing problem of late-night party boat noise.

The issue of party boats, illegal charters, and nighttime activity on New York City's waterways is not theoretical for those of us who live along the waterfront.

For years, residents around City Island and the surrounding waterways have been dealing with extremely loud, amplified music coming from boats late at night and at times into the early morning hours.

personally spent

I've personally spent months reporting these incidents.

I have submitted 311 complaints, provided videos, contacted the NYPD and Harbor Patrol, and communicated repeatedly with elected officials.

There have been nights when the music continued for hours, despite repeated calls for assistance.

Behind every one of these complaints are real people who are trying to live their lives.

We have families, working parents, and small children who need a good night's sleep.

When loud music continues until 2, 3, or 4 in the morning, it doesn't just disturb us in the moment.

It affects our children's sleep, our ability to function at work, and our entire family's well-being the following day.

No family should have to wonder whether we will be able to sleep in their own home because of loud music coming from boats on the water.

I appreciate the officers and the Harbor Patrol personnel who have responded, and I recognize that they are working within their resources and procedures available to them.

My concern is the larger system.

Too often, enforcement feels reactive rather than preventative.

By the time a resident identifies where the music is coming from, makes a complaint, and waits for someone to respond, the activity may have already been going on for hours.

And when a complaint is closed, that does not necessarily mean the underlying problem has been resolved.

What waterfront communities need.

Sorry, is consistent predictable enforcement present during the hours when these problems actually occur?

If the city knows that certain waterways become hotspots on certain nights and during certain hours, resources should be positioned there proactively.

rather than relying on residents to call after the problem has already begun.

I would ask the council to go beyond the number of summonses issued or complaints closed and ask more important questions.

Are waterfront residents actually experiencing a sustained improvement in their quality of life?

Thank you very much, Katie.

Thank you.

Thank you for your testimony.