CDA: A quiet cheer for noise abatement

Kudos to the city of Coeur d’Alene for addressing the downtown noise problem. The new city ordinance will increase fines to $300 and give city police more grounds for policing noisy vehicles. Enforcement of the new noise (and speeding!) ordinance is critical, and it’s having immediate success! Having a greater police presence downtown is key.

Also, education about noise laws and fines is needed. The very visible electronic signs now in place are a great start, but permanent signs are needed in certain locations. In addition to Northwest Boulevard and Sherman, the vehicle noise in other downtown areas is seriously affecting quality of life… for example, on Front Avenue, and on Eighth Street near City Hall and McEuen Park. Articles in the Coeur d’Alene Press by Bill Buley have also helped with this education.

There’s also an economic impact from the noisemakers. We’ve actually stopped going to downtown restaurants with outdoor seating because of loud vehicles making conversation impossible. These restaurants and The Downtown Association should take serious note, and be very concerned about the excessive noise that will drive customers away.

Big kudos to the city for finally taking on this problem via a new, tougher ordinance.

ROGER and IRENE SMITH

Seasonal Coeur d’Alene residents