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Call 911 for car
alarm nuisances

Question: Where would I call about those irritating car alarms that go off over and over again? These vehicles are parked on McNeill Street, and there are numerous apartments within that area that carry the sound. These alarms go off, per car, seven to 10 times a day, 24 hours. I believe the owners don't care where they park. The alarms (I've been timing them) go on for three minutes at a time. Do you know how irritating that is at 2 to 4 in the morning?

Answer: Call police at 911.

A motor vehicle alarm has to sound for at least five continuous minutes or intermittently for 10 minutes -- with no more than a minute of silence between sounds -- to be considered in violation, explained officer Byron Anaya of the Honolulu Police Department's Kalihi Station.

He pointed to Chapter 41, Article 29 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, which deals with motor vehicle alarms.

But if the offending alarm is off by the time police can respond, there's nothing they can do about it.

However, Anaya said if the alarms go off as frequently as you say during specific times, officers who patrol that area might be able to track down the owners and at least warn them about the law.

The city ordinance also gives police the authority, if a motor vehicle alarm system is activated for at least 10 minutes, to deactivate the alarm and have the vehicle towed, from either public or private property.

A violation is subject to a $57 fine, under the city ordinance.

Anaya also cited Section 291-24.6 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which provides for much higher fines -- $100 for the first three offenses, going up to $500 for a sixth or subsequent violation -- for alarms that sound for more than five continuous minutes.

Q: My landlord evicted me for back rent and damages. He got a judgment against me. I have no intention of paying him, but want to know what kind of consequences there will be for me. Is it going to be held against my credit?

A: Unfortunately, if your landlord follows through on the judgment, you might find yourself facing a lot of consequences.

A creditor like your landlord can pursue the judgment, making life difficult for you if you refuse to make good on it, said Stephen Levins, executive director of the state Office of Consumer Protection. His office oversees the Landlord-Tenant Code.

For one thing, a judgment "can stay on your credit report for seven years," Levins said. "If it's a valid judgment, they can garnish your wages if they find out where you work."

Other consequences: Authorities can place a lien on any real property you own, which could create problems if you try to refinance or sell the property, Levins said.

"There's always a chance that the person holding the judgment doesn't follow through on it," he said, "but typically someone who goes through the trouble of getting a judgment ... will initiate other steps to collect."

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