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Carmel leaders pledge more coordination after mixed Car Week review; residents cite nighttime noise and safety concerns
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Summary
After receiving a 2025 Car Week after‑action report on Nov. 3, the council directed staff to hold public listening sessions and coordinate an incident command approach with other Peninsula cities. Chief Doug Trayer reported mixed survey results — many residents were conflicted or negative about nighttime impacts — and enforcement metrics that i
The Carmel‑by‑the‑Sea City Council received an after‑action report on Nov. 3 on 2025 Car Week and directed staff to convene public listening sessions and return with policy options to reduce nighttime noise, improve traffic control and strengthen safety.
What staff reported Chief Doug Trayer summarized the policing and city response to six permitted events and a larger unsanctioned ‘‘cruise’’ that drew additional visitors. City enforcement figures included 137 traffic stops (70 citations), seven arrests (including two incidents where officers found unregistered or personally manufactured firearms, commonly called "ghost guns"), 13 towed vehicles, and one DUI arrest. Public works, volunteer marshals, and temporary traffic measures such as speed cushions on Ocean Avenue were cited as effective in controlling dangerous driving.
Survey results and public feedback Staff reported 422 survey responses: resident respondents (≈200) were more likely to be conflicted or negative about Car Week’s impacts than visitors. The city’s survey categorized responses as “loved it,” “okay,” “conflicted,” or “didn’t like it.” Chief Trayer told the council many respondents praised daytime events and local economic benefits, but frequently cited nighttime noise, revving engines and congregations on corridors such as San Carlos and Carpenter as harmful to neighborhood quality of life.
Council direction and next steps Council members asked staff to bring a menu of policy options for more assertive enforcement, traffic‑calming and permissible event limits. Specific directions included: - Schedule a public listening session (Sunset Center) and invite the Community Activities Commission and event promoters to participate. - Work with neighboring Peninsula jurisdictions to create an incident command coordination plan and mutual‑aid procedures for large, multi‑jurisdictional gatherings. - Explore operational adjustments: expanded signage and shuttle service hours, additional drop‑off points, fixed noise‑monitoring tools for field enforcement, and possible restraint measures on commercial event permitting (particularly seat‑based restaurant limits where Ocean Avenue has numeric caps).
Public comments at the meeting reflected this mix: some business owners and residents praised daytime tourist activity, while other residents urged stronger night‑time restrictions and better communications for emergency access. Council asked staff to return with recommended policy choices and legal analysis of enforcement tools and fee changes.
