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Resident tells Racine council loud mufflers trigger PTSD and urges enforcement
Summary
A Racine resident told the Common Council that recurring loud exhaust and popping mufflers are causing PTSD episodes and that police complaints filed with plate numbers have not led to action; he urged the council to intervene.
During the public comment period at the Jan. 20 Common Council meeting, resident Avlalt Tom (speaker 7) appealed to council members to address repeated loud exhaust and popping mufflers in his neighborhood.
Tom said he has a diagnosed medical condition, PTSD, and that the noise causes severe reactions. He told the council he has filed complaints with the police department, provided license-plate numbers and descriptions of vehicles, and identified the shop he believes is responsible, but said he has seen no enforcement follow-up.
"Those loud noises can cause me to do anything from jump to end up somewhere in my house not knowing how I got there," Tom said, adding he had previously brought the issue to the council and hoped the record would prompt action.
The clerk had read the rules for public comment immediately before Tom’s remarks, noting that personal complaints against city employees or matters related to individual claims, citations or lawsuits are not intended for the public-comment period and encouraging written submissions to the clerk or an alderman for formal documentation.
No council action was taken during the meeting to resolve the specific enforcement complaint Tom described. Council members did not debate the substance of his complaint on the record; instead, the council proceeded to agenda business. The complaint as presented remains on record; the clerk encouraged written follow-up so it can be directed for response.
