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Carefree considering noise ordinance
Motorcycles are not the issue said Committee member Matt Dingman
by Barry Cohen

CAREFREE – The town of Carefree might want to look 100 miles north for ways to solve its street‑noise problem.

Residents and officials attending the first meeting of the town’s Noise Enforcement Advisory Committee repeatedly heard the community of Jerome praised for effectively dealing with the issue. The purpose of the Aug. 17 meeting in town council chambers was to gather residents’ input, and several stepped forward to voice their opinions.

Those present quickly agreed that motorcycles are the source of excessive noise in Carefree. However, committee member Matt Dingman reminded the gathering that the meeting was not about motorcycles, but noise.

“Motorcyclists are always welcome in Carefree,” Dingman said. “There just appears to be a growing number of riders who are insensitive to the people who live here.”

Carefree Terrace HOA president Hap Maul said his quality of life, and that of his condominium neighbors, is being affected by motorcycles.

“When the weather cools down, we look forward to turning off our air conditioners and opening the windows, but we can’t do that because there’s so much motorcycle noise on the street,” he said. Maul suggested cutting the speed limit on Cave Creek Road and adding pedestrian crosswalks.

Sentinel Rock resident Lyn Hitchon said enforcement is the real issue.

“We have a noise ordinance and speed limits in place, but you can’t expect one Maricopa County Sheriff’s officer to control the noise, especially with all the traffic up here on weekends,” she explained. Hitchon suggested looking at the town’s budget for a way to hire more officers to patrol the area. Maul agreed, stating, “We need to find the money so the laws can be enforced.”

Carefree resident Rick Burris said he likes the sound of motorcycles.

But Burris, who has been riding Harley‑Davidsons for about 40 years, also said he believes effective enforcement would address the problem. He pointed out that Jerome, like the Desert Foothills, is a favorite destination of motorcycle riders but visitors there observe that community’s noise ordinance.

Matt Alagna, a member of the Black Mountain Motorcycle Club, said once word got out that Jerome was serious about enforcing its noise ordinance, bikers toed the line.

Jerome official Al Palmierie told The Desert Advocate that his town’s noise law works.

“The ordinance is only a few pages long and it has stood up in court,” said Palmierie. He noted that Jerome adopted the ordinance three years ago to prevent excessive noise from all motor vehicles, not just motorcycles. “We needed to because the town is built on the side of a mountain and every noise echoes,” he added.

Palmierie said signs leading into Jerome emphasize that the town’s noise ordinance is strictly enforced. Violators are fined $175 for a first offense, $350 for a second offense and $2,500 for a third offense within 12 months. He pointed out that the police officer who patrols the town’s main one‑mile roadway always carries a decibel meter to measure vehicle noise.

Carefree’s Noise Advisory Enforcement Committee is slated to discuss the issue again at 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, in town council chambers.

Reach the reporter at barry@thedesertadvocate.com.

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