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Resident urges Brookings to enforce noise rules and use court-ordered cleanup to tackle roadside litter
Summary
A Brookings resident told the April 28 council that loud mufflers and persistent roadside trash are degrading neighborhoods and asked the city to enforce an 80-decibel ordinance and pursue court-ordered litter cleanup as a penalty.
John Henning, a Brookings resident, used public comment time at the April 28 meeting to urge the city to enforce local noise standards and address persistent roadside litter.
Henning said he experiences repeated disturbances from loud vehicles — notably motorcycles and modified cars — and described them as producing sound levels that exceed what he understands the local ordinance allows. He told the council an ordinance in the area sets an 80-decibel limit and proposed the city supply decibel meters to patrol officers, offering to buy four meters in prior years; he said meters can range from about $50 to $200.
Henning also raised litter along the highway, saying he picked up about 200 pieces of trash in a single day on a stretch he walks regularly and that larger items such as crushed laundry baskets have sat on the roadside for months. He asked that judges direct people convicted of traffic or DUI offenses to perform roadside cleanup as part of sentencing, noting other towns have used community-service cleanup programs to keep highways clear.
Councilors acknowledged Henning’s concerns and said staff would follow up. City staff indicated they had his contact information for follow-up.
Ending: The council asked staff to follow up with Henning on enforcement and potential next steps to address noise and litter complaints.
