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Newport residents tell council ongoing vehicle-noise, harassment at northwest neighborhood is disrupting daily life
Summary
Residents described months-long vehicle revving, harassment and threats in the Northwest 56th Street area and asked the council for clearer enforcement of the city’s noise code; police and city staff said the matter is under active review, including referral to the Lincoln County District Attorney.
Multiple residents representing a cluster of households near Northwest 56th Street told the Newport City Council they have endured months of persistent vehicle noise, harassment and threatening behavior and urged clearer, faster enforcement of the city's nuisance and noise rules.
Nathan Wallace said the disturbance began in March and has escalated, describing repeated excessive vehicle revving, backfiring and high-speed passes through the neighborhood that wake residents at night. Wallace said neighbors have logged dates and times and provided video, and that five households have been repeatedly affected. He said enforcement felt slow or inconsistent and asked council and staff to clarify how the city's municipal code is enforced when vehicle noise is deliberate.
A second resident described months of harassment that included homophobic slurs, threats and sustained loud yelling near her property, and said the conduct has aggravated health conditions for household members. She told council the conduct has been recorded on neighborhood cameras and that the situation had been reported repeatedly to police.
Chief staff and officers confirmed law-enforcement involvement. Residents said Officer Kenny has been the assigned officer and that the Lincoln County District Attorney's Office is reviewing an apparent disorderly-conduct referral. Officer Leakes and other officers have been involved in follow-up calls. Residents said the alleged noisy tenants are renters and that the owner has not been reachable despite staff attempts to contact them.
Council and staff responses: Mayor Jan Kaplan and City Manager Nina urged residents to remain in contact with the police chief and city staff. The chief offered to provide his card and to continue follow-up; Nina said the city will track the documentation residents provide. Councilors asked whether the DA was the Lincoln County district attorney; residents confirmed that is the office reviewing the case. Councilors emphasized the city’s limited resources but said staff would continue to investigate.
Status and next steps: The council did not take formal enforcement action at the meeting. Residents were directed to continue working with the assigned officer and the chief; staff said they will follow up with the residents and coordinate with the police department and the district attorney's office as needed.
Context and legal references: Residents cited the Newport municipal noise ordinance and the city’s definitions of “unnecessary loud” sounds and raised questions about when staff require sound-level meter measurements for enforcement. Residents said they were told a second witness from a police or city employee is sometimes needed to trigger enforcement, and they asked for clarity when multiple households report ongoing disturbances.
No formal council motion or vote was recorded on the public nuisance item. The matter remains in active administrative and law-enforcement review.
