wyliepoon
Senior Member
http://www.leaderpost.com/entertainment/Noisy+cars+Regina+Mayor+Fiacco/2267048/story.html
Noisy cars on way out: Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco
By Joe Couture, The Leader-Post November 27, 2009
They're loud and fast -- and he's furious.
Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco took aim at noisy cars, trucks and motorcycles -- particularly those with after-market modifications, like mufflers, that make them noisier -- at Wednesday's monthly board of police commissioners meeting.
The mayor asked Chief Troy Hagen to have a report ready by January from the Regina Police Service detailing possible strategies to address noisy vehicles.
"We started the ball rolling; the ultimate goal is to have these products right off the market," Fiacco told reporters.
Fiacco said the issue of loud vehicles arose in discussions with residents of Regina's south Albert Street area. He noted the concern also is a common one in the city's north and southeast areas.
"One of the things we brag about in this country is this wonderful quality of life," Fiacco continued. "Part of (that quality of life) is being able to sleep at night without these vehicles or motorcycles causing these loud noise disruptions. It's a question of safety, as well."
Hagen said the police service has received complaints for many years about noisy vehicles. He noted it would be premature to speculate on what the report will recommend, but pointed to efforts in the past to enforce noise-related regulations under the Highway Traffic act.
"Enforcement efforts have been ongoing for many years," Hagen told reporters. "It's unlikely we're going to be successful in eradicating, through enforcement, the problem in its entirety. I think we've made a positive difference, but there's still concern in the community.
"As long as after-market items are being sold that create a high level of noise, it's difficult for us to keep up with it."
Efforts against noise need to go beyond enforcement, said Fiacco.
"What can we do to prevent it from happening, period?" he asked, adding he hopes the report will have answers. "It would be nice if we could just prevent these products from simply being sold."
A ban on the sale of products would require authority beyond that of municipal-level government, Fiacco noted.
He said he would raise the issue with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Big City Mayors Caucus in January.
"It's not just a Regina problem," Fiacco said. "It's a national problem." He added he expects support from other municipalities and senior governments.
Also on Wednesday, crime statistics for October were released. From January to the end of that month, compared to the same period of 2008, there were decreases in both violent crime (1.1 per cent) and property crime (10.6 per cent).
"It's positive," Hagen said. "I think what it really reflects is a continuation of a longer trend we've been seeing and realizing for the past couple of years now."
Fiacco called the figures "good news."
"Obviously, nobody wants to have any crime. That would be the ideal situation. But the fact we're continuing to see reductions year over year is a good trend."
Noisy cars on way out: Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco
By Joe Couture, The Leader-Post November 27, 2009
They're loud and fast -- and he's furious.
Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco took aim at noisy cars, trucks and motorcycles -- particularly those with after-market modifications, like mufflers, that make them noisier -- at Wednesday's monthly board of police commissioners meeting.
The mayor asked Chief Troy Hagen to have a report ready by January from the Regina Police Service detailing possible strategies to address noisy vehicles.
"We started the ball rolling; the ultimate goal is to have these products right off the market," Fiacco told reporters.
Fiacco said the issue of loud vehicles arose in discussions with residents of Regina's south Albert Street area. He noted the concern also is a common one in the city's north and southeast areas.
"One of the things we brag about in this country is this wonderful quality of life," Fiacco continued. "Part of (that quality of life) is being able to sleep at night without these vehicles or motorcycles causing these loud noise disruptions. It's a question of safety, as well."
Hagen said the police service has received complaints for many years about noisy vehicles. He noted it would be premature to speculate on what the report will recommend, but pointed to efforts in the past to enforce noise-related regulations under the Highway Traffic act.
"Enforcement efforts have been ongoing for many years," Hagen told reporters. "It's unlikely we're going to be successful in eradicating, through enforcement, the problem in its entirety. I think we've made a positive difference, but there's still concern in the community.
"As long as after-market items are being sold that create a high level of noise, it's difficult for us to keep up with it."
Efforts against noise need to go beyond enforcement, said Fiacco.
"What can we do to prevent it from happening, period?" he asked, adding he hopes the report will have answers. "It would be nice if we could just prevent these products from simply being sold."
A ban on the sale of products would require authority beyond that of municipal-level government, Fiacco noted.
He said he would raise the issue with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Big City Mayors Caucus in January.
"It's not just a Regina problem," Fiacco said. "It's a national problem." He added he expects support from other municipalities and senior governments.
Also on Wednesday, crime statistics for October were released. From January to the end of that month, compared to the same period of 2008, there were decreases in both violent crime (1.1 per cent) and property crime (10.6 per cent).
"It's positive," Hagen said. "I think what it really reflects is a continuation of a longer trend we've been seeing and realizing for the past couple of years now."
Fiacco called the figures "good news."
"Obviously, nobody wants to have any crime. That would be the ideal situation. But the fact we're continuing to see reductions year over year is a good trend."
