A new, month-long initiative will target excessive vehicle noise, speeding and stunting on 17 Avenue SW, with officers focusing on Thursday through Saturday evenings.

Enforcement is being ramped up in the area this summer as the city responds to complaints about loud vehicles disrupting residents, businesses and patio-goers.

Operation Silent Night, launched by the Calgary Traffic Safety Team in partnership with the Calgary Police Service, will run through August and into September.

The initiative will concentrate initially on 17 Avenue between 8 Street and 4 Street SW, with coverage extending from 14 Street SW to Macleod Trail.

Inspector Brad Johnson with the Calgary Traffic Safety Team said the operation is intended to provide a high-visibility police presence while addressing what officials describe as a hotspot for vehicle noise.

“17th is a hot spot for noise generation in the city of Calgary,” Johnson said.

The city has received complaints about loud motorcycles, modified vehicles, excessive engine revving and loud stereos, while businesses have also raised concerns about noise affecting customers on patios.

Officers will monitor vehicles from static locations and through mobile patrols. They will use decibel meters, body-worn cameras and vehicle cameras when assessing potential violations.

Johnson said officers will consider several factors when determining whether a vehicle is excessively noisy, including the time of day, location, volume and duration of the noise.

The focus will be between 5 and 10 p.m., when the city expects the area’s patios and businesses to be busiest.

Both education and enforcement during the noise blitz

Drivers pulled over for excessive vehicle noise can face fines starting at $270 for exceeding the legal noise limit, which is 92 decibels at idle and 96 decibels above idle.

Drivers who refuse a roadside noise test can receive a $300 fine for failing to comply.

Other fines could also be issued under the Traffic Safety Act and regulations governing vehicle operation.

Johnson said a decibel reading will not be the only factor used when determining whether a ticket is warranted.

Officers will also consider the circumstances surrounding the noise, including the time of day, the number of people nearby and the reaction of people in the area. Video and body-camera footage may also form part of the evidence.

The approach is not limited to modified vehicles.

Johnson said officers may encounter work vehicles, such as dump trucks, that produce unusual or excessive noise because of mechanical issues. In those cases, officers will determine whether education or enforcement is appropriate based on the circumstances.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas said the initiative is also about supporting businesses along 17 Avenue.

“It’s not just residents who have been raising this issue,” Farkas said.

“It’s also business owners.”

He said some businesses have reported customers being reluctant to sit on patios because of disruptions from aftermarket modifications and loud stereos.

Farkas said the goal is not simply to issue tickets, but to encourage people to be responsible neighbours.

“For me, it’s never about the tickets,” Farkas said.

The initiative is an expansion of the Traffic Safety Team’s work after its launch in March 2025.

Johnson said the team issued more than 4,000 tickets in residential areas between 2025 and March 2026, although most were related to traffic safety violations rather than noise.

Officials said the success of Operation Silent Night will be measured through community feedback and changes in noise levels, rather than simply the number of tickets issued.

The team will also use existing noise-monitoring data to determine whether overall noise levels on 17th Avenue decrease during the initiative.

Late-night noise remains a concern

The 10 p.m. end time could leave some residents questioning whether the operation will address some of the loudest vehicle complaints, which often occur later at night.

Johnson acknowledged that officers are aware of complaints about loud motorcycles and vehicles operating well past 10 p.m.

He said the current operation is focused on what the team can manage with its available resources, but the hours could be expanded depending on the results.

Residents can report noisy vehicles through 311 during the day. For concerns occurring after 10 p.m., the city recommends submitting a traffic service request online.

Johnson said residents should continue reporting noise concerns because the information helps the city identify hotspots and determine where future enforcement could be deployed.

Farkas said the pilot could eventually lead to longer enforcement hours or similar initiatives in other parts of Calgary.

“This is the start,” Farkas said.

“We’re going to see how this goes.”