Letters to the Editor

Noise Reduction

Beachcomber recently told its readers about various City of Long Beach efforts to reduce noise. There is an updated noise ordinance with various strategies and guidelines aimed at noise reduction. There will be a study that looks into quiet zones for trains, and our airport continues to reduce aircraft noise.

Although noise from “traffic and transportation” is mentioned, I was looking for more along this line. Many operators of cars and motorcycles have altered their exhaust mufflers so that they make a huge and disagreeable racket. They obviously get a kick out of “attacking” the rest of us.

A while back I lived in a city where police issued a ticket to drivers of vehicles exceeding a certain noise level. It worked!

Oh, what peaceful relief there would be on our sidewalks and in our homes, schools and churches!

Wait, my son, after reading the above, reminded me of another disagreeable noise: gardener leaf blowers: The roar six days a week and spreading lots of dust. Another opportunity to reduce noise through electric? Of course, we still have rakes and brooms.

Peter Devereaux