Downtown Coeur d'Alene roar more of a snore

COEUR d’ALENE — John Deus has grown accustomed to the roar of speeding traffic and loud engines on Northwest Boulevard below his unit at Coeur d’Alene North Condominiums.

And with summer around the corner, he and his wife had been preparing for an increase in noise on weekends and evenings from souped-up cars and trucks with modified mufflers. 

But perhaps not.

Deus told the Coeur d’Alene City Council on Tuesday that the modifications the city made to municipal codes in March have been effective.

He said the city’s electronic signs posted on gateways to downtown, Sherman Avenue and Northwest Boulevard, that state “$300 Fine For Loud Engines” have “noticeably contributed to reducing noise downtown.”

“The residents of Coeur d’Alene North Condominiums have observed a significant reduction in the engine noise along Northwest Boulevard,” Deus said. “I do mean significant. We sincerely thank you.”

The code changes approved by the City Council spelled out what conduct is prohibited and also that police officers can use their judgment to determine if vehicles and motorcycles are too loud, or if modifications have been made that create excessive noise “to a person of reasonable sensitivities.”

“The gist of the ordinance has not changed,” city attorney Randy Adams said. “We’re just becoming more explicit” to be sure people understand and to leave no doubt.

It also increased the citation for a first offense to $300 from $100 and made following citations misdemeanors.

Capt. Dave Hagar said that since January, Coeur d’Alene police have conducted 87 traffic stops in reference to noise violations. Of those, 19 resulted in citations and the rest were warnings.

Hagar said increased publicity and awareness of the city’s plans to enforce its vehicle noise ordinances has helped quiet things down.

“Drivers are learning what is expected of them,” Hagar said.

Adams agreed.

“With any new ordinance, part of enforcement is education. The police, coupled with the reader boards, have done an outstanding job educating the public on the noise ordinance,” Adams wrote. “The number of traffic stops and citations indicates that the ordinance is working well and we hope, as summer begins soon, to see continued improvement in the vehicle noise downtown. This can only result in a better experience for both residents and visitors.”

Officials said exemptions will be made for antique and classic vehicles in city events, such as Car d'Lane, which is in June.

Deus said he appreciated the city’s efforts.

“The Coeur d’Alene Police Department has done an outstanding job enforcing the new noise criteria of the updated municipal codes," he said.