Appleton Police Department patch. (PHOTO: Courtesy of Fox 11 WLUK)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Appleton Police Department (APD) says it issued 37 noise violations in its downtown corridor in the first two months of 2026.
APD has continued to give out traffic citations for equipment and noise violations amidst recent complaints of excessive noise in downtown Appleton.
January:
- Eight noise-related traffic warnings in downtown corridor
- Two noise-related traffic citations in downtown corridor
February:
- 19 noise-related traffic warnings in downtown corridor
- Eight noise-related traffic citations in the downtown corridor
The violations include:
- Equipping a motor vehicle with an illegal muffler
- Operating a vehicle without an adequate muffler
- Excessive revving/squealing tires
- Loud/unnecessary noise
- Modified/defective exhaust
Background
Last September, a group called “Stop the Noise” raised awareness about the negative impact excessive noise was having on those living and working in downtown Appleton. They hoped to inspire change and increase enforcement of existing ordinances.
Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford responded, noting the police department had introduced two dedicated traffic safety officers in the last four years and had recently begun issuing more equipment violation citations to combat it.
“I understand the changes aren’t coming fast enough for folks,” said Woodford last fall. “This issue didn’t emerge overnight, and it’s not going to go away overnight.”
The results data has been presented at Appleton’s Safety & Licensing Committee meeting each of the past two months.
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