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Lake Wales business owner urges city action over noise and safety on Lincoln Avenue
Summary
At a City of Lake Wales commission meeting, resident and business owner Michelle Martin urged the commission to address recurring loud music, gatherings and vehicle activity on Lincoln Avenue that she says is harming businesses and client safety; commissioners pledged follow-up with police and city management.
Michelle Martin, a Lake Wales resident, business owner and founder and executive director of a local nonprofit, told the City Commission that recurring loud music, crowds and vehicle activity on Lincoln Avenue are making it difficult for her to serve clients and operate her business.
"If I don't feel safe, how would my clients feel safe?" Martin said during public comments, describing daytime and evening disruptions that began "first on Fridays" and have spread to other days of the week. She said officers have come after calls but the activity resumes once officers leave.
Martin said police directed her to fill out paperwork to enable quicker responses, and that Officer Bridal ("I believe his name, Roden") visited. She told the commission that the pattern of noise, traffic and what she described as public drug use is harming both nonprofit service delivery and private businesses on Lincoln Avenue.
Commissioner Dwight Gillespie asked whether Martin was referring to Friday Night Live events; Martin said the issue was broader than that. Commissioner Williams told Martin, "I will personally be speaking with our city manager as well as our chief of police to see what we can do to ensure that you're safe and that your business continues to thrive." Commissioner Thompson and Deputy Mayor Gibson also said they supported follow-up and emphasized that Lake Wales residents deserve the same safety and business support as other parts of the city.
City staff did not bring a formal enforcement action during the meeting. Martin said officers have visited after calls but the disturbances resumed, and she asked the commission for interim measures while longer-term Lincoln Avenue plans proceed.
The commission did not take a formal vote on new rules or funding. Commissioners committed to follow up with the city manager and police chief about enforcement options and interim steps to protect businesses on Lincoln Avenue.
Meeting transcript excerpts: Michelle Martin spoke at length during public comments about safety and business impacts on Lincoln Avenue; Commissioners Gillespie and Williams responded with questions and commitments to follow up.
Next steps noted in the meeting: Police paperwork and incident reporting were discussed; Commissioner Williams said he would raise the issue with the city manager and police chief for potential operational changes.
