NH: Motorcycle Noise a 'Top Priority' This Summer

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http://hampton-northhampton.patch.com/articles/police-motorcycle-noise-a-top-priority-this-summer-videoPolice: Motorcycle Noise a 'Top Priority' This Summer

[VIDEO] Seacoast police feel a new initiative focused on noise enforcement and education is on the right track so far
By Kyle Stucker |
 (1) Videos Credit Kyle Stucker
http://o3.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/273x203/%20http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/69d218632366b9d85fb73950259dfd46 Add your photos & videos Share Tweet Email Print Start Following Submit a tip Tell Your Neighbors About Patch The rumblings of motorcycles are often an audible clue that Memorial Day weekend -- the unofficial start of summer in beach communities -- has come and gone, although area police feel a new regional initiative aimed at reducing illegal motorcycle noise is gaining momentum.
Hampton and North Hampton police are among several Rockingham County departments that have joined forces with Seacoast Harley-Davidson to cut down on that activity as well as educate the public about legal noise -- and North Hampton Chief Brian Page said there are already signs of progress.
The initiative officially kicked off on May 20, and Page said word of mouth has been strong and feedback has been positive about the departments' stricter enforcement of the state's 106 decibel limit as well as education about how legal motorcycles can still be perceived as "noisy."
Page said the issue is "extremely" sensitive, as 309 or about 48 percent of the 644 residents recently surveyed said it is the biggest issue in North Hampton, and he said it's a win-win to have many people on board with the effort so far.
"This motorcycle issue is huge," he said. "I've learned a lot by taking my head out of the sand and listening to the people. This is a form of regionalization -- we can't do it alone."
Police chiefs and officers from Portsmouth, Rye, New Castle and the State Police were also on hand on May 20 for a press conference announcing the initiative -- a press conference which was held at Seacoast Harley-Davidson in North Hampton.
The goal, in addition to punishing individuals intentionally violating the state law, is education because some riders may be unaware that some driving habits may magnify noise, such as riding under overpasses or riding in a group of motorcycles, said Rye Police Chief Kevin Walsh.
He said law enforcement officials "recognize that the noise is unacceptable," although he said residents also need to be educated because some perceived noisy activity may actually be under the legal limit.
Portsmouth Police Chief Lou Ferland said free motorcycle testing will be conducted at motor vehicle checkpoints throughout this summer for individuals unaware of whether their bike is over the legal limit.
“As much as motorcyclists have an equal right to visit the area and are welcome to, people who live here or visit have an equal right to enjoy their peace,” said Ferland.
Information will also be posted on each department's website as well as in the stations to educate the public. Additional information is also available by contacting each department.
For individuals intentionally violating the legal noise limit, Page said the $84 fine isn't often a deterrent. In addition to ramping up enforcement of the law in the new initiative, he said the departments will also be sending hearing requests to the Division of Motor Vehicles in order to suspend offending riders' motorcycle registrations.
Seacoast Harley-Davidson Owner Al Contois said the "Motorcycle Noise Annoys" initiative is a "great first step," and he said he was happy to be involved. He also said his dealership doesn't sell any motorcycles that surpass the state's decibel limit.
Several residents and motorcycle operators at the May 20 press conference said they were in favor of any initiative to cut down on the noise and change the perception of that noise, and several called the collaborative effort a "good start."
"I'm very, very happy to see them working together," said Karen Mitchell, a New Castle resident and a founding member of N.H. Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles. "I'll just wait and see what happens this summer. It's not all of them - just a select and annoying few.
"I'm pleased with this so far."