Brooklynites escape the city to avoid the constant buzz but often find they are in an even more deafening surroundings. Helicopters have disrupted their peace.
Comfortable silence has been replaced by vibrating ruckus, neighbors gripe. This has been a problem for many years, but residents are complaining that it has gotten significantly worse in the last few months.
“It feels like Brooklyn is under attack. The noise and rattling is such a distraction that I can’t read or talk sometimes,” Cameron, 47, told the New York Post. "And when the president is in town, forget it!"
The noise is most concentrated in areas surrounding the Midtown heliport on West 30th Street off the Hudson River. DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights residents have experienced it the most. Helicopters going to and from the heliport create an unpleasant environment for people sitting on their terraces or walking around their apartments.
Federal law has been lenient with policy concerning helicopters, and pilots often take routes recommended by other pilots with little regard to flying too close to a neighborhood.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) said he is working with the Federal Aviation Administration and helicopter industry in hopes to reduce the noisy situation. If necessary, he is prepared to legislate in order to get this problem fixed.
“We’re working with the FAA, the industry, and community groups to pursue alternate options that will allow us to address the issue of helicopter noise in areas like Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO,” David Lombino, a city spokesman, said.
