Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh
Street racing on Central Park Avenue in Greenburgh and the loud noises it brings has been a quality-of-life issue for years.
Street racing on Central Park Avenue in Greenburgh and the loud noises it brings has been a quality-of-life issue for years.
Officials are now looking to what’s being done in New York City for a possible solution.
Those who live in Greenburgh may have heard the loud mufflers at all hours of the day and night.
"At least once a day...Probably more than that," said Greenburgh resident Gayle Williams.
"This is a major quality-of-life concern and people are very frustrated," said Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.
The problem isn't just street racing on Central Avenue, but modified mufflers on quiet, residential streets.
"Having to stop a conversation, or pause a meeting or something because a car is going by is strange to me. I live in a residential neighborhood," Williams explained.
But Feiner and former Legislator Ruth Walter think they have a solution by using noise cameras, which have proven to be a success in New York Cit.
"It's a technology from England that triangulates the sound, and out of four or five cars that go by, it can pinpoint the one that's making the sound," Walter explained.
Once a vehicle's sound goes over 85 decibels, the camera captures the license plate, and a ticket is sent out. The fine is $800 for a first offense and $2,500 for a second offense.
"That would make people think twice about revving motors and adding whatever they do to mufflers," said Williams.
One camera costs about $30,000. Walter says there's already $125,000 in the Capitol budget earmarked for these cameras, they're just missing approval from the state Legislature.
"Were going to be asking residents to support this to sign the petition and then were going to lobby members of the state Legislature," said Feiner.
If this initiative is successful, they will be the very first noise cameras in the Hudson Valley.
