Police gear up to make Calgary streets quieter

CALGARY- Police are looking to make Calgary’s streets a little quieter.

On Monday, the force announced they’re cracking down on noise pollution, and have ordered new decibel reading machines. Police say they get numerous complaints every year, and plan to ticket vehicles above the standard 96 decibels.

“Oftentimes it’s motorcycles that have straight pipes, modified pipes, that for whatever reason the louder they are the more people notice them,” explains S/Sgt. Paul Stacey. “It really annoys people a great deal and it disrupts everybody’s peace, so we are reacting to all the complaints we get annually and we are going to start cracking down.”

Those who live near 17 Avenue S.W. welcome the move.

“You hear a lot of people showing off their cars, hear a lot of show boats going down 17th too, so there is a lot of different sounds during Stampede I’d say,” says Mary Kapusta.

“It’s a little bit unpleasant, and nicer to have an uninterrupted nice time without a motorcycle blasting at you,” adds Jared.

Police will be ticketing under the Traffic Safety Act, and fines begin at $115.