As the face of the fight against the noise bylaw in Edmonton, I might be able to shed some light in comparing why Calgary is actually not a bad thing.
Edmonton enacted a discriminatory bylaw targeting only motorcycles on June 9, 2010. Rig rocket trucks and customized soup can exhaust on such cars like Honda Civics are essentially allowed to commit the same infraction without the same penalties. There are two sets of laws, one for motorcycles and one for everyone else which contravenes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The officers set up in high volume traffic areas and pull over ANYTHING on two wheels whether you are breaking this law or not. We have successfully counselled many for their court appearances to have tickets thrown out and continue to do so. We encourage anyone who was unfairly detained to write letters of complaint against the officers pulling them over with no just cause, and simply because they ride. This law, using the road side J2825 test has been enacted in Oakville and Caledon, Ontario. It has been voted down in several other communities based on the discrimination factor of it. I actively contact all members if city councils across the country considering this, educating on how much it has failed in Edmonton and how much money has been wasted...which is far more than what a Noise Snare costs.
Calgary enacted a bylaw using a piece of equipment tested thoroughly by an independent company. The Noise Snare does not discriminate. It is essentially photo radar for noise. It is not arbitrarily set up in opportune places go maximize revenue, which we see in Edmonton, it is actually dispatched to the area a complaint comes in, sit for a couple days then move on. To top it off, they will investigate and not just fine right away. They use discretion and kindness. The bylaw officer who runs this program will also admit motorcycles are 5th on the list of noise issues. finally, the City of Calgary DID NOT pay for their Noise Snare unit. It was given to them complimentary for being the first city to implement it.
For more information, please visit
www.modeledmonton.com for a ton of information.
