Latest news with #BradleyJohnson
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
City starts crackdown on noisy vehicles in residential, commercial areas
The city says it's cracking down on noisy vehicles by increasing monitoring in residential communities and specific commercial areas like 17th Avenue. Using calibrated decibel meters and noise sensors, the city's traffic safety team will document violations, focusing on areas with high traffic complaints and noise reports. "The overall goal is to reduce it… to make them a little bit quieter, make them a little more comfortable for people that are being impacted and affected by this across Calgary," said Bradley Johnson, head of the traffic safety team. Fines include $270 for operating a vehicle over the legal noise limit and $300 for failing to comply during a noise level test. Common noisy vehicle violations include: loud exhausts and mufflers, excessive engine revving, squealing tires, roaring or explosive sounds, loud stereos, amplification equipment, and vehicle alarms. Modifying a vehicle to increase its noise — such as installing aftermarket mufflers — is also a violation of the Traffic Safety Act and will be subject to fines. "Alongside a decibel reading, we also take into consideration, you know, the time of day, the location of the noise ... how many people are around, what's going on, to kind of incorporate a full look at what is going on in the area and the impact that this noise may be causing for citizens," Johnson said. The traffic safety team launched back in March, and is a 12-month pilot program focused on tackling noisy vehicle violations, enforcing speed limits in playground zones and promoting traffic safety education. The team includes eight peace officers and two sergeants, building on the Calgary Police Service's ongoing work. Ernie Tsu, president of the Alberta Hospitality Association and owner of Trolley 5 Restaurant and Brewery on 17th Avenue, said loud vehicles have always been a problem on the busy street, and while it seems to have gotten better over the last couple of years, it is still an issue. "All of us businesses are kind of holding our breath back to see how the city's going to enforce it and if it actually happens," he said of the crackdown. "We're hoping that, you know, when we have older couples for their anniversaries or families out for brunch, that… the level of volume from the cars or the motorbikes is brought down." Tsu says the noise is particularly a concern for patio-goers during summer months. Last year, city officials deployed acoustic monitoring devices on 17th Avenue, among other locations, to gauge the amount of excessive noise. Johnson reminded Calgarians with performance vehicles to be mindful of others, especially now as people are out enjoying the weather. "It doesn't mean we don't want you driving them. Absolutely, we want you to enjoy what you have. Just be respectful with it. Not everyone wants to hear that when they're out on a patio," he said. "You don't need to do that excessive engine revving. You don't need to peel out, you know, in a crowded area or anything else like that that's just above and beyond what you need to do." Residents can report noisy vehicles to 311.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
City starts crackdown on noisy vehicles in residential, commercial areas
The city says it's cracking down on noisy vehicles by increasing monitoring in residential communities and specific commercial areas like 17th Avenue. Using calibrated decibel meters and noise sensors, the city's traffic safety team will document violations, focusing on areas with high traffic complaints and noise reports. "The overall goal is to reduce it… to make them a little bit quieter, make them a little more comfortable for people that are being impacted and affected by this across Calgary," said Bradley Johnson, head of the traffic safety team. Fines include $270 for operating a vehicle over the legal noise limit and $300 for failing to comply during a noise level test. Common noisy vehicle violations include: loud exhausts and mufflers, excessive engine revving, squealing tires, roaring or explosive sounds, loud stereos, amplification equipment, and vehicle alarms. Modifying a vehicle to increase its noise — such as installing aftermarket mufflers — is also a violation of the Traffic Safety Act and will be subject to fines. "Alongside a decibel reading, we also take into consideration, you know, the time of day, the location of the noise ... how many people are around, what's going on, to kind of incorporate a full look at what is going on in the area and the impact that this noise may be causing for citizens," Johnson said. The traffic safety team launched back in March, and is a 12-month pilot program focused on tackling noisy vehicle violations, enforcing speed limits in playground zones and promoting traffic safety education. The team includes eight peace officers and two sergeants, building on the Calgary Police Service's ongoing work. Ernie Tsu, president of the Alberta Hospitality Association and owner of Trolley 5 Restaurant and Brewery on 17th Avenue, said loud vehicles have always been a problem on the busy street, and while it seems to have gotten better over the last couple of years, it is still an issue. "All of us businesses are kind of holding our breath back to see how the city's going to enforce it and if it actually happens," he said of the crackdown. "We're hoping that, you know, when we have older couples for their anniversaries or families out for brunch, that… the level of volume from the cars or the motorbikes is brought down." Tsu says the noise is particularly a concern for patio-goers during summer months. Last year, city officials deployed acoustic monitoring devices on 17th Avenue, among other locations, to gauge the amount of excessive noise. Johnson reminded Calgarians with performance vehicles to be mindful of others, especially now as people are out enjoying the weather. "It doesn't mean we don't want you driving them. Absolutely, we want you to enjoy what you have. Just be respectful with it. Not everyone wants to hear that when they're out on a patio," he said. "You don't need to do that excessive engine revving. You don't need to peel out, you know, in a crowded area or anything else like that that's just above and beyond what you need to do." Residents can report noisy vehicles to 311.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New law aims to hold owners accountable for derelict boats
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – State lawmakers passed a bill to crack down on abandoned boats with the hopes of holding owners financially responsible. The new measure aims to increase penalties for owners of derelict boats. Florida is a haven for boaters, many calling it the 'boating capital of the world.' But when tragedy hits, like hurricanes Helene and Milton, hundreds of vessels become displaced. 'I want him to know the pain': Victim reacts to judge sentencing Olympus Pools owner State lawmakers now want to hold owners of these very boats accountable, with Senate Bill 164. The bill passed out of both chambers and now awaits the governor's signature. The legislation aims to crack down on vessels left to deteriorate in state waters, making it illegal to reside on a derelict vessel. 'It also allows law enforcement to declare vessels with repeated violations as public nuisances and holds vessel owners solely responsible for the relocation and disposal costs,' said State Rep. Fabian Basabe (R-Miami Beach). And for those who refuse to shell up the cash, it could lead to fines and potentially prevent them from purchasing another vessel in the future. 'Lucy's Law' introduced to Florida house to mandate boating safety training after teen's death 8 On Your Side met with Officer Bradley Johnson with Florida's Fish and Wildlife. He talked about the negative impacts that derelict vessels can have. 'Vessels can damage you know marine sanctuaries, seagrass beds, and important vegetation to our wildlife, in addition to that there could be things like fuel on board, vessels that can sometimes leak out into the water, it can pose a navigational hazard to the public who are out trying to navigate our waterways, especially after a storm, when everything's shifted around,' Bradley Johnson, the Public Information Officer for FWC Division of Law Enforcement said. Coming off of hurricanes Helene and Milton, FWC removed a total of 469 vessels from state waters, with six that are still under investigation.'We actually have a process where they can turn that boat over to the state of Florida and we can remove and responsibly dispose of that vessel before it becomes derelict, when it can potentially pose those environmental hazards or higher cost to taxpayers to get that vessel removed,' said Johnson. The vessel-turn-in program can be found here. The cost of removing, destroying, and disposing of eligible vessels is 100% funded by the program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
