PORT ANGELES — Can you hear me now?
If so, you may want to turn me in to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Bill Benedict wants to strengthen the county’s nuisance noise ordinance to cover more than amplified music.
Specifically, he’ll target motocross courses that some people have set up on their properties that might once have been out in the country.
Trouble is, new homes have been filling in those wide open spaces, and new residents object to the unmuffled commotion.
County commissioners Tuesday voted to hold a public hearing on the proposed law on July 15.
Among those planning to attend is Diana Politika, who lives on Bagley Creek Road, east of Port Angeles.
She said that when motorcycles races begin on a nearby motocross course, “it’s just absolutely impossible.”
“As soon as this is passed, we will shut that down,” Benedict promised her.
The county’s current public disturbance ordinance prohibits noise from radios, tvs, music players and amplified instruments that can be heard from 75 feet away from 11 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from 150 feet away at other hours.
The proposed new ordinance defines “public disturbance noise” as any that “unreasonably disturbs the comfort, peace or repose of another person.”
It defines as “disturbing” noise that can be heard 50 feet or more from the source of the sound.
Exemptions include aircraft in flight, industrial safety devices, emergency equipment, lawful discharge of firearms, farming and forestry, construction equipment, parades, school activities, lawful fireworks, and motor vehicle races “at existing, authorized facilities between . . . 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and [until] 10 p.m. on other days.”
Properly permitted entertainment events such as the Clallam County Fair also are exempt.
