Please, Bethlehem: Do Something About Vehicle Noise

Aug. 27, 2025

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

The City of Bethlehem is getting louder, mainly because some people need attention. Thus they spend money on modifying their exhaust systems to make noise.

Below is my email letter to Mayor J. William Reynolds, Police Chief Michelle Kott, Council President Michael Colon, and City Council members Grace Crampsie Smith, Bryan Callahan, Colleen Laird, Hillary Kwiatek, Rachel Leon and Kiera Wilhelm.

I don’t know if the city can do much, but after hearing this nonsense day and night, I had to ask. Other cities have tried to cut back on noise. Maybe it’s impossible, but it’s something that many people who live and work and pay taxes in this city care about.

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Aug, 27, 2025

Dear Mayor Reynolds, Police Chief Kott, and City Council members:

One thing that can make any neighborhood better is some peace and quiet. Unfortunately, our city is afflicted by noise made intentionally by a variety of straight-pipers, hot rodders, exhaust modifiers and boom-car owners.

I’m asking if the city can do anything about this. It’s a near-constant problem and some of these vehicle modifications are not legal. 

Bethlehem does have a noise ordinance. Here is a link to part of it:

Microsoft Word – ARTICLE0717 _3_.doc

Other cities have tried to fight off noise. Here’s what Charlotte, North Carolina, did: Noise Ordinance – City of Charlotte

There appear to be two approaches to noise: the “reasonable person” standard and specific decibel limits.

I understand that this is not high on the list of enforcement goals. Also, I think we have a great police department. When I had a problem with loud neighbors a few years ago and couldn’t resolve it myself, a Bethlehem officer came out and gave the offenders a lecture that made a difference. My few contacts with city police officers have all been professional and helpful, they have really gone out of their way to assist people.

Still, the auto noise can be ear-splitting. It’s particularly bad on West Union Boulevard, Third Street, Fourth Street, Stefko Boulevard (probably No. 1), Easton Avenue, Butztown Road, Linden Street and Center Street. I’m sure it’s bad elsewhere, but these are places I’ve found on my long walks around Bethlehem

It also kills the al fresco dining mood on Main Street. There’s nothing like settling down to a cold drink outside and then hearing in succession, a few seconds each of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” followed by Run DMC’s version of “Walk This Way” with a chaser of “All Night Long” by AC/DC. That actually happened to me. One drink was enough, before the mobile Musikfest continued.

Please try to do something. One loud vehicle can bother hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people. This goes on all day. 

Thank you for your consideration,

Jeff Ward

Bethlehem PA resident and blogger