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Residents press McMinnville council for speed and noise enforcement in Grand Haven area
Summary
Multiple residents described chronic speeding, late-night engine noise and near-misses in neighborhoods near Grand Haven Street, urging automated enforcement, radar signage and greater police response; the mayor directed the police chief to follow up.
Residents from the Grand Haven/Coburn neighborhood told the council on July 28 that chronic speeding and loud vehicle noise have created an unsafe and sleepless environment and urged the city to use automated enforcement and other traffic-calming measures.
"We feel harassed and traumatized by the noise," Michael Sauber told the council, describing repeated late-night racing on Highway 99 and motorcycles and cars that regularly exceed the 25 mph limit. Sauber asked the city to "rent or purchase speed-detecting cameras to automatically catch and fine speeders and noise violators," and to consider impoundment and license suspensions for repeat offenders.
Sharon Fenwick described a recent near-miss while crossing Burnett at Grand Haven and said the area includes elderly and disabled residents and children traveling to school. Frank Phillips and Ken Rolfe added that the problem is long-standing in their block and recommended stop signs, radar speed display signs and automated enforcement systems similar to those used in other Oregon cities.
Mayor Morris asked Chief Wood to contact the speakers and review enforcement options. Chief Wood responded that the department would follow up and that staff would take residents' concerns into account when evaluating enforcement and infrastructure responses.
Councilors did not take immediate legislative action; staff and police were asked to examine enforcement options and return with recommended next steps.
