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Downtown merchants tell council noise, amplified preaching and safety issues are harming businesses
Summary
A downtown business owner and Main Street McKinney chair told the council amplified street preaching, loud sidewalk activity and perceived enforcement gaps are harming retail sales and employee safety and asked for help enforcing existing ordinances.
A downtown business owner told the City Council on Aug. 19 that repeated amplified street preaching and sidewalk activity are damaging sales and creating safety concerns for staff and customers.
Amy Pyatt, who identified herself as owner of businesses at 113 E. Virginia and the chair of Main Street McKinney, said the downtown area has experienced recurring amplified speech beginning about a year ago, with some events peaking at roughly 82 decibels. Pyatt said the police have at times been unable to enforce the city’s noise rules because officers lacked a decibel reader and that street preachers often continue by shouting when amplification is turned off.
Pyatt said the noise and the presence of persons known locally for prostitution have affected sales and employee safety; she said employees have asked to be escorted to their cars. She asked the council and staff to help resolve enforcement gaps and protect downtown businesses.
Council response: The transcript records Pyatt’s public comment but does not show a council motion or staff action taken during the Aug. 19 meeting. City staff and the police chief had attended previous Main Street meetings, Pyatt said, but she asked council members to follow up on enforcement and equipment availability.
What’s next: Pyatt asked council staff to contact her to discuss next steps. The council did not set a formal hearing, ordinance change or budget request for enforcement equipment at the Aug. 19 meeting.
