HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 06/25/2024 - Memorandum from Jerrod Kinsman and Mike Avrech re Police Services Plan to Address Unreasonable Traffic Noise
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Special Operations Division
2221 S. Timberline Rd
Fort Collins, CO 80525
(970) 416-2394
(970) 224-6088 – fax
jkinsman@fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
Date: June 14, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
Thru: Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Jeff Swoboda, Chief of Police
From: Jerrod Kinsman, Lieutenant
Mike Avrech, Sergeant
RE: Police Services Plan to Address Unreasonable Traffic Noise
Summary:
The City Council requested a memorandum regarding police efforts to impact traffic noise in
Fort Collins. In 2024, Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS) increased traffic enforcement to
improve road safety. Based on feedback from community members, those efforts expanded to
include modified exhausts and unreasonable noise. In May, the FCPS Traffic Unit conducted
three weeks of traffic enforcement saturation patrol on Fridays and Saturday nights. This special
enforcement began on May 17th and continued through June 1st and included unreasonable
vehicle noise violations as an operational objective. Similar operations are being planned. All
FCPS officers have been asked to be aware of vehicles that emit unreasonable noise or have
modified mufflers and cite them if appropriate. Traffic noise will be highlighted as part of FCPS’
traffic safety social media campaign.
Background:
FCPS knows that traffic noise concerns many in the city, especially in Old Town Fort Collins. As
a result, FCPS has recently incorporated an initiative to impact traffic noise into our ongoing
efforts to improve traffic safety. Vehicle noise is amplified by modified exhaust systems or
unsafe driving behavior. Typically, the Traffic Unit focuses on violations that lead to serious
injury and fatal crashes, and these violations often involve speeding, exhibition of speed, speed
contests (drag racing), and reckless driving.
Importantly, these dangerous driving behaviors can result in significant noise emitted from the
involved vehicle(s). For example, the Traffic Unit is working to address engine revving, often an
indication of speed contests or exhibition of speed, that creates excessive and unreasonable
noise in Old Town. All FCPS officers have been asked to consider citing drivers for modified
exhaust or unreasonable noise as appropriate. In addition to improving quality of life, these
efforts support traffic safety and the City’s Vision Zero plan.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 9491151E-BED1-4159-8EC0-2C7003D6B6B8
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During the recent traffic enforcement saturation patrols held on Friday and Saturday evenings
from May 17th through June 1st officers issued approximately 105 citations. Included in this
number are three citations for modified exhaust. We also encountered and cited drivers for
speed contests, exhibition of speed, and investigated a serious motorcycle crash. The
motorcycle was estimated to be traveling 74 mph in a 35-mph zone. The noise from the
motorcycle alerted an officer to the dangerous driving behavior just before the crash occurred.
Future enforcement efforts are being planned to address traffic-related nuisances in the Old
Town area. Specifically, ‘rolling coal’ and unreasonable vehicle noise will be a focus of
enforcement activity. This type of operation typically involves a spotter for the violation and an
officer or officers down the road to stop the driver and issue the citation.
The two best avenues within the Fort Collins Municipal Code that officers can use to impact
vehicle noise are the modified exhaust violation (code 225) and the unreasonable noise
violation (17-123). A modified exhaust violation carries a $60 fine and zero points assessed on
the driver’s license. The code does not require the exhaust to be returned to its original
condition, and the vehicle is permitted to drive away from the traffic stop with the same noise-
emitting exhaust system. The Traffic Unit is looking into options for increasing fines for these
violations so that it may influence behavior and the decision to modify the exhaust in the first
place.
The Municipal Code for unreasonable noise (17-129) allows Police Services to make a prima
facie determination whether the suspected noise is unreasonable based on several variables.
These variables include the time of day, size of the gathering of persons creating or contributing
to the noise (groups of cars, trucks, or motorcycles congregating and making noise), the
presence or absence of noise amplification equipment (modified or no muffler), and any other
factors that tend to show the impact of the unreasonable noise (ex. College/Mountain near
outdoor eateries).
FCPS officers and the Traffic Unit have increased traffic enforcement efforts in 2024. Overall,
the number of traffic citations issued has increased approximately 63% this year to date
compared to the same 2023-time frame. Meanwhile, traffic accidents are down approximately
18%, and the number of people injured in accidents is down approximately 26% this year to
date. Unfortunately, seven people have died in traffic-related incidents so far in 2024.
Finally, as part of our effort to provide education, FCPS will highlight unreasonable vehicle noise
as part of our ongoing traffic safety social media campaign. There was an initial post on the Fort
Collins Police Face Book page on June 18, 2024.
CC: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
DocuSign Envelope ID: 9491151E-BED1-4159-8EC0-2C7003D6B6B8