Praising a little too loudly

WTVG-- April 14, 2006 - Wednesday night, Toledo police paid the United Methodist Church on Upton a visit after neighbors complained. Police say if it's after nine o'clock at night, music should be turned down a bit. That rule applies to churches.

Singing, clapping, jumping: at this church, that's what they do. This week, there's even more celebration as Easter Sunday approaches. On warm nights, the windows are open as music fills the air. But Wednesday night a Toledo police officer paid this church a visit after receiving several noise complaints.

Police Sgt. Richard Murphy told us, "I talked with police officers. They said you could hear the music for two blocks down the street and it was after 9 p.m. at night." Church member Stephanie Kynard said, "It was just a total surprise for them to come in on us like that when we were in worship and praising God." Guest speaker Todd Hall agreed, saying, "I'm not saying what they did was wrong. The approach was wrong."

According to police, the officer was just doing her job. Some neighbors across the street say at times the music can be a bit too loud. While Wednesday night's incidents remains on the minds of many, this church will continue to praise, loud and clear.

Police say these types of calls are low on their priority list although they say it is not unusual to receive noise complaints about a church.