EDITORIAL: Let's try to quiet downtown noise

The Coeur d’Alene City Council, last year, approved changes to municipal codes that aimed to reduce vehicle noise and excessive exhaust, which had been a long-running problem.

“We believe the amendments will help address the issues that have been previously identified by council and the public and give the police a little bit more specificity to enforce in the downtown area,” City Attorney Randy Adams said at the time.

The code changes spell 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.”

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

It kind of worked.

The changes seemed to quiet things down, but the roar gradually grew and some of those who call downtown home, shop there or own a business there, say it's just as loud as ever. it's not uncommon to hear an engine roaring well into the night and in the middle of the day.

There have been complaints for years about loud mufflers and revving engines at traffic lights and in traffic, most often on Sherman Avenue, particularly in the summer. This summer is no different, even with the changes and threats of fines.

Likely the only way to calm things down is for police to get more active in handing out citations. Here's part of the problem. Coeur d'Alene police are busy. Very busy. Usually much too busy to focus their efforts on noisy rigs downtown. We hate to say it, but they have more important things to do. And frankly, most drivers are smart enough to wait until police are gone to begin revving their motors.

That's why we support a request from citizens of Coeur d'Alene North for a radar-activated speed limit/speed display electronic sign outside their building. These signs are effective at reducing speed, which in turn reduces noise. 

This isn't a request for more police or calling for police to crackdown on noisy vehicles. Just a request for signage that could let these residents and others downtown to have a little more peace and quiet. We think that's a wise investment.

And we're betting the residents of Coeur d'Alene North might even sleep a little better.