SE PA Police Range draws noise complaint

[MartinBrody]

http://www.dailylocal.com/WebApp/app..._Story_1089386

A range of complaints
WEST GOSHEN RESIDENTS SAY INCREASING NOISE FROM SHOOTING RANGE DISTURBS QUALITY OF LIFE
By BRIAN FANELLI, Staff Writer

WEST GOSHEN — Residents living near a shooting range on South Concord Road say the noise from the range is growing louder, more frequent and disturbing their quality of life.

During a meeting Thursday at the residence of Hank and Tracy Whalen, on Normandy Court, residents expressed frustration with the noise levels caused from the weapons, township notification about the range and the signage and enclosure at the property.

But township officials said the range is needed by West Goshen police and other police departments because it is one of the only ranges they can use in the county.

The training is also necessary to protect the safety of residents, officials said, and hours have been limited over time to address concerns.
Hank Whalen said he works from home in an office upstairs and often cannot concentrate because he hears gunshots throughout the day.

“At times, I have to close the door and windows,” he said.

Other residents described similar situations. Kelly Keyer,

who also lives on Normandy Court, said the noise is so frequent that she often cannot take her 9-month-old son outside to play.

“If we’re home during the week and they are shooting, we can’t be outside,” she said.

Her husband, Tom Keyer, said he is upset with the shooting range because it was never disclosed to his family when they bought their house in 2005 that the range was near their property.

Hank Whalen said he is not opposed to West Goshen police using the range, but he would like the property to be more secure and limit the caliber used to bring down the noise level.

Tracy Whalen said she would like to have a meeting at night with the board of supervisors to discuss the issue, since a lot of residents cannot attend the bi-weekly meetings at 4 p.m., due to work schedules.

“The meetings are at 4 p.m. No one can go,” she said. She said she is also getting a petition together to give to the township.

The noises even caused Tracy Whalen to purchase a decibel meter, and she said some of the gunshots are exceeding the noise levels allowed in the township ordinance.

Another resident, Joe Catenacci, said his children have picked up shells because of the range.

“Anyone can walk through it (the range). It’s not secure,” he said.

Police Chief Michael Carroll said the site is already enclosed and the supervisors are not likely to create a range that is indoors. He also said there are plans to build a shooting range in East Fallowfield, which would alleviate some of the concerns residents have.

“What is on the horizon, but will not happen tomorrow, is that the county law enforcement and emergency services community are going to build an emergency services school in East Fallowfield Township,” Carroll said. “Part of that process, at least in the planning stage, is an indoor range.”

He said he respects the concerns of the residents, but it is also crucial officers have the proper training to protect residents.

If any ammunition is found, Carroll said, the police department should be notified immediately so the ammunition can properly be disposed of, but he said live ammunition is not left on the range.

Hours have also been limited over time, Carroll said. On the weekdays, officers are only allowed to use the range from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and shooting is not allowed on Sundays.

Township Manager Casey LaLonde agreed with Carroll that officers must have somewhere to train.

“Officer safety and training comes first,” LaLonde said. “They have to train with their weapons.”

The supervisors’ position overall, LaLonde said, is to support the range because there are few in the county. He also said residents can see a schedule of when the range is being used by asking the police department. But residents are not permitted to see what other municipalities use the range because of safety concerns, LaLonde said.

If residents want to have an evening meeting regarding the issue, LaLonde said, they are welcome to bring up the request during the supervisors’ meeting this Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the township building.

To contact staff writer Brian Fanelli, send an e-mail to bfanelli@dailylocal.com

[Dave in PA]

Suppressors for all!

This is exactly why suppressors should be readily available for purchase the same time you purchase your firearm. Noise pollution and hearing loss for those practicing with their sidearm are two very good reasons for them to be readily available and inexpensive as well.

A coworker is putting together the paperwork for one and his estimate is 4-6 months and about $1000 total cost.

[billamj]

What a bunch of whiny twits!

Hank Whalen said he is not opposed to West Goshen police using the range, but he would like the property to be more secure and limit the caliber used to bring down the noise level.

What do they expect the cops to do? Train with .22s and then be totally unsure of how to properly handle their weapons when the SHTF? Idiots!

Hours have also been limited over time, Carroll said. On the weekdays, officers are only allowed to use the range from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and shooting is not allowed on Sundays.

Waaahhhhh!!!!!! I hear noises during daylight hours. Someone quick, take this group of babies their Similac!

[Coop650]

Her husband, Tom Keyer, said he is upset with the shooting range because it was never disclosed to his family when they bought their house in 2005 that the range was near their property.

I this comment amazing. How can someone buy a house without researching the neighborhood then be angry at something that was already there?

[vetter3006]

I dought they shoot all day long and every day of the week, This is just a yuppie trying to pull his/her own weight and to complain. But when they need the police they want them to help but if they are not trained they complain too. If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen other wise shut the f up.

[shiloh]

This is happening more frequently as development continues to take over the outer burbs. Up in my neck of the woods in Bucks County, Wicen's shooting range (the only rifle range I know of in our area where the public can come and shoot with no membership required) also has been subject to noise complaints, mostly from new homeowners who claim they didn't know there was a shooting range in the area when they moved in. The same nitwits also make complaints about the odor from nearby dairy farms -- they move to the "country," but then complain about country smells and country sounds. Should tell them to move back into Philly -- sounds like a shooting range every night! Some people will complain about anything, but this is a real threat to ranges as more and more people move into the outer burbs.

[Stooperzero]

Suppressors ARE Mandatory in most Euorpean countries due to Health Concerns..



Here.

Your Health means a $200 blackmail tax



My first (.45 can) MIGHT be in my hands by christmas followed by a 5.56 Can in the new year.

[Rule10b5]

While the range has been there for 35 years or so, West Goshen isn't even remotely rural anymore. And this isn't just a case of the local WG department or its ERT guys practicing -- they're letting other municipalities use it (and refusing to disclose that schedule or the municipalities), while refusing to let taxpayers use it. From other articles, it appears that high volume shooting goes on for at least a couple hours a day, every weekday.

I'm a huge fan of shooting ranges, but there's a point at which any activity (particularly one engaged in by a government) that may have been appropriate 30 years ago is no longer appropriate.

Development happens, and standards change. Just because something was a good idea 30 years ago doesn't mean it's a good idea today.

And this isn't a case of taking away a private owner's ability to use the land as he pleases it's a case of making a public agency stop disturbing the people who live there. Or, at least make them restrict it to the local department. Or put up a building so there is some sort of sound baffle.

[Rule10b5]

Oh, and the whole "this is the only range in the county we can use" is bullshit.

Targetmaster -- an indoor range that regularly qualifies departments -- is 5 minutes down 202 from West Goshen. Hell, they do all of the SEPTA qualifications, and that department dwarfs WG.

[billamj]

We're going to have to agree to disagree on this one Rule. The bottom line here is that the range was there long before these people were and its primary use is still qualification and training for WG township officers. If it were a case where they were firing at all hours of the day or night I might agree with you but this is just a bunch of whiners who want to show that they have hairy spots.