Chadron council asks police to draft ordinance after resident complaints about truck engine braking

Councilmembers spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing community complaints about large-truck engine braking, commonly called "Jake brakes," and whether local restrictions should be adopted.

Several councilmembers said complaints are frequent and occur late at night, sometimes disturbing residents and, in one reported case, occurring near a funeral at Greenwood Cemetery. The topic was described as one of the top recurring concerns alongside snow removal and street maintenance.

Rick Hexton, chief of police, told the council that a violation would be enforceable as a city ordinance (not as points on a state driver's license) and said he would draft an ordinance for the council to review. The chief recommended council decide whether the rule should include specific hours (for example, a nighttime ban) or be a full 24/7 prohibition, noting that other Nebraska communities vary in approach. He also noted that any ordinance should include exceptions for emergencies and operational safety for truck drivers.

Councilmembers asked staff to check the road-grade profiles on approaches to the city (to determine where mandatory engine braking may be justified by grade) and to look at ordinances used by nearby towns. The city attorney/staff agreed to prepare a draft ordinance without time limits for council consideration so the council can decide hours or a full ban later.

No formal motion or vote was recorded on an ordinance at this meeting; council consensus was to pursue drafting and bring the matter back with proposed language and grade data.