Residents of Baldwin Park are expressing growing frustration over the lack of progress on a promised quiet zone along the Metrolink train tracks. During a recent city council meeting, community members voiced their concerns about noise pollution and its negative effects on health, including sleep loss, anxiety, and hypertension.

In January 2021, the city announced plans to establish a quiet zone and allocated $7 million for improvements to transportation systems. However, as of October 2024, no action has been taken to implement this initiative. Instead, residents noted that the city has focused on building a park near City Hall, which they feel does not address their pressing need for noise reduction.

Robert Ontiveros, a Baldwin Park resident, highlighted the ongoing impact of train noise on the community. He emphasized that many residents are suffering from chronic health issues due to the relentless honking of trains, which disrupts their peace, especially during late hours. Ontiveros and others expressed disappointment that despite their support for Measure M, which was designed to improve transportation safety and conditions, the promised quiet zone remains unfulfilled.

Community members are calling for immediate action from city officials to honor their commitment to creating the quiet zone. They are also questioning the allocation of funds and the city’s priorities, as they feel their concerns have been overlooked. The meeting concluded with a suggestion for a future briefing to update the community on the status of the quiet zone and other related issues.