The recent intrusion of amplified “preaching” is greatly upsetting to the Lane County Farmers Market and adjacent Saturday Market. It is clearly causing a decline in attendance and damaging the peaceful, welcoming environment we have long cherished.

Although the Eugene Police Department has chosen to do nothing, the activity clearly violates section 4.083 of the Eugene Municipal Code. Section 4.083 explicitly prohibits “(a) sound producing, amplifying or reproducing equipment; (2) on public property or on a public right-of-way so as to be plainly audible fifty feet or more from the device, except as specifically authorized in writing by the city, county, state, or federal government.”

There is no qualifier based on content. If it can be heard 50 feet away, it is a violation.

I encourage the EPD to enforce this ordinance the next time the Saturday markets are disturbed. It is essential to our efforts to create a nice, inclusive civic space.

Hugh Prichard
Eugene