Love RPD...but just wish they would start focusing a little more on quality of life issues like this (a big one), the public drinking on Fayettville/Glenwood, etc, etc. You basically can do anything in front of RPD, and if it's not a felony, it's not a big deal.

I have referred this to Capt. Council for his comment. This is a difficult enforcement issue because it is a fine line between a stock (and legal) motorcycle and a modified (illegal) exhaust. Generally the police would have to stop pretty much every motorcycle to check for modifications in order to issue citations, and even then, the law allows stock Harleys, for example that, when ridden in a group, probably cause most of the disturbing noise, but are not illegal individually. We'll check on what can be done and report back.

The noise I'm complaining about is not a group of bikes, it is individual bikes. When a single bike is so loud I can't hear my TV again until they've gone from Morgan all the way down to the Amphitheater, it cannot be possible that the bike is legal. Just go after the "that's insane" volume level and that will solve the problem.

Capt. Council reports that he'll ask officers to be on the "listen" for unusually loud bikes, but in order to cite them we'd have to catch them in the act, and they tend to move off quickly. With the number of officers on duty at any one time in the District this may be a challenge, but he'll do what he can.

Why is this any more difficult to catch and ticket than any other moving violation? Can't it also be said of red light runners.that you have to "catch them in the act and they tend to move off quickly"?

Well, they do, and we do not catch all the red light runners, and yes, we do have to catch them in the act also. They do not make as much noise and disruption as loud vehicles do, so it is more apparent when there is a noisy vehicle than a red light runner or a speeder. Our officers will make a concerted effort to have an impact on this problem, but we want to make sure you understand that it is a difficult thing to enforce and we'll likely not be able to stop the problem altogether. Hope you understand.

Is there anything you could or would do if given plate numbers?

I would encourage you to call the District station with the plate numbers and perhaps the officers can intercept them. Unfortunately we cannot issue a citation unless the perpetrator is caught "in the act". I noticed in my comment above when I used the contraction for "he will" the SCF algorithms thought I was saying something else!! We certainly would not want to offend anyone. For reference the Downtown District station number is 919-996-3855.

That's too funny about "he will"! I couldn't figure out what on earth was going on.

Maybe this might work....

On a Saturday during the afternoon (when there is not an event downtown), along either Dawson or McDowell, set up a checkpoint - similar to a DUI checkpoint, or the license/insurance ones that have occured before down near the Legistlature buildings (run by Capital Police)...at the checkpoint, the riders can be checked for legal helmets (as opposed to illegal/unapproved, which many ride with), and another officer with a DB meter can be standing there. This checkpoint would only have to run twce a year for the message to get across...but Harley Riders (or rather, cruise bikes like Harley) are loud and annoying...all weekend long...and the downtown residents are frankly tired of it...

Yes, it would take a lot of effort, especially initially..but would only need to be done a few times a year...worth a thought.

That contraction thing has happened to me once before. You'd think I might have learned by now ;)

Thanks for the suggestion, Downtown Resident. I will pass it on to Capt. Council. Hope everyone has a great day.

Thanks for fixing this issue!