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New Lewiston resident urges council to adopt nighttime noise ordinance
Summary
A recent Lewiston arrival, Lucille Ensling, told the council she and her partner are losing sleep because of late‑night engine noise and loud music on Main Street and urged passage of a nighttime noise ordinance after repeated police responses failed to stop the disturbance.
Lucille Ensling, a recent arrival to Lewiston and an incoming student at Lewis‑Clark State College, urged the council at the public‑comment portion of the meeting to adopt a nighttime noise ordinance after repeated loud engine noise, muffler backfire and music on Main Street disrupted her partner’s nights and led to multiple police calls.
"These adults should know to be mindful of the people that live on Main Street," Ensling said, describing repeat loitering and noise that, she said, has made it difficult for her partner to maintain a night‑shift work schedule. She said she has called the local police department and been told others have complained, but that the department has not been able to stop the behavior completely.
The plea came during the scheduled citizen‑comment period, when the presiding official invited Ensling to follow up in the mayor’s office for more detailed discussion. The presiding official also offered to have staff look further into the matter.
Why it matters: Noise complaints that recur and require repeated police responses can burden public safety resources and affect residents’ health and work. A local nighttime ordinance would give police a clear, enforceable standard to address late‑night disturbances; the council did not vote on an ordinance at the meeting.
Next steps: Ensling said she may meet with staff at City Hall to discuss the issue further; the council did not place a noise ordinance on the agenda during this session.
