COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – The city of Coeur d’Alene is revisiting noise complaints in the downtown area, especially along Sherman Avenue, as residents and workers express their concerns about the persistent noise from trucks and motorcycles.
A noise ordinance is already in place, but many believe it falls short. Hattie Owens, a clerk at Mountain Madness Soap Co., shared her experience.
“I think a lot of people, it sounds like they like big trucks and they have, like, their mufflers that they like. And so it’s pretty loud… we’re supposed to keep the doors open in the store, and so we hear like, the loud cars a lot,” Owens said.
The location of Sherman Avenue, situated between stoplights, exacerbates the issue, locals claim.
“You have a stoplight right here. Stoplight right there. It’s like they compete right here to see who can make the loudest noise, but it’s, real detriment to the businesses along Sherman here, that have patios,” Rod Stach, trustee at Coeur d’Alene Eagles #486, explained.
Noise complaints are not limited to one type of vehicle. Motorcycles, small cars and diesel trucks are all mentioned.
“There’s the diesel trucks that like the gun it when they go by. So a cloud of smoke shoots on our patio. It’s horrible. It’s constant. And I do think it is a lack of labor and a lack of resources on our police department,” Dave Beguelin, a member of Coeur d’Alene Eagles #486, said.
Suggestions from the community include radar signs and daily bike patrols to help reduce the noise. Frank Burnette, president of Coeur d’Alene Eagles #486, called for action.
“I would just ask Chief White if you see this message, if you could please step up your enforcement for the good of the community. I wish we could all just come together and solve this issue, because it is an ongoing issue, and the ordinance that was passed was meant to address it,” Burnette stated.
Residents acknowledge the ordinance as a positive step, but without increased enforcement, they anticipate the issue will persist.
