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Residents urge council to curb late-night noise, racing and overnight parking near McDonald’s and Washington Park
Summary
During public comment at the Nov. 24, 2025 Perth Amboy City Council meeting, residents described repeated late-night loud music at a nearby McDonald’s, nightly car racing and overnight parking at Washington Park and urged the council to consider closing park gates, restoring a 25 mph speed limit and stepping up enforcement.
A public commenter told the Perth Amboy City Council on Nov. 24 that repeated late‑night music and car racing near McDonald’s and Washington Park are disrupting sleep and endangering residents. “It’s about music at McDonald’s at 3:30 in the morning,” the resident said, adding that callers had reached dispatch and Captain Gerard but the problem persisted.
The commenter described cars gathering and “playing music, drinking, smoking” into the early morning and asked for stronger enforcement: closing the park gates at night or coordinating closing the bathroom and the gates simultaneously so people cannot remain overnight. The speaker said they had previously circulated a petition and urged the city to revert the nearby speed limit from 30 back to 25 miles per hour, citing pedestrian safety.
Council discussion focused on what the city can do administratively. A council member said enforcement options include confirming that overnight parking is prohibited, coordinating between the Recreation Department and Police Department to close gates and, if necessary, towing vehicles before closure. “I think the issue is whether or not the gate can be closed,” the council member said, and suggested warnings such as flyers on windshields before towing or enforcing closures.
The Clerk told the council the office did not have an immediate answer and committed to providing information to the council and the business administrator so the city can follow up with residents. The council did not take formal action on the park rules or speed limit at the meeting; staff were asked to investigate and report back.
A second resident reiterated the safety concern, again asking that the city restore a 25 mph limit and press McDonald’s to cooperate with law enforcement. The speaker referenced a past pedestrian fatality when a child crossed toward McDonald’s and said neighbors are frightened by nightly revving and racing.
The public portion was closed following the comments. The council thanked police and fire personnel for recent emergency responses and asked staff to coordinate next steps with the Recreation and Police departments. No ordinance or regulatory change was adopted at the meeting; further action would require staff follow-up or a future agenda item.
