An opera singer is back home tonight after police in Alexandria arrested her on a noise violation. Officers tell News4’s Darcy Spencer she refused their requests to turn off her speaker, that violates the city’s ordinance.
An internationally awarded opera singer was arrested in Alexandria Friday night for using a speaker to amplify her voice while she sang on the sidewalk.
Cellphone video posted on YouTube captured officers with the Alexandria Police Department arresting Krista Clouse after she failed to comply with orders. She was charged with violating the city noise ordinance.
Clouse tells News4 she was doing nothing more than expressing her First Amendment rights. She says the tips she earns while singing on the street help support her family.
Clouse was performing near the intersection of King and Lee streets in the city's Old Town neighborhood when officers arrested her. The city of Alexandria’s website states its ordinance “is to prevent any noise that annoys or disturbs the comfort, health, welfare, environment, peace, or safety of any person in the city of Alexandria.”
Clouse was released from jail early Saturday morning.
The Alexandria Police Department said the arrest was unusual, but arresting Clouse was the correct action because of her repeated refusal to comply.
