Latest news with #ChristopherPotter
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Waymo responds to noise complaints from Santa Monica residents
The Brief Residents in a Santa Monica neighborhood where 24/7 Waymo charging stations are located are sounding the alarm on the "noise pollution" plaguing the area. The city has already determined the sound does not violate noise standards. Waymo said it has taken several measures to reduce the noise, including buying quieter equipment. SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Waymo is responding to growing concerns from residents over noise at its Santa Monica lot. In a statement, Waymo said it is committed to "being a positive presence in Santa Monica." "We are in ongoing conversation with the City's Department of Transportation, and are actively working with the agency as we explore and implement mitigations that address neighbors' concerns," a spokesperson said. SUGGESTED: Waymo passenger almost misses flight after car drives in circles This comes after upset residents voiced concerns about the noise coming from the Waymo charging stations located near Euclid and Broadway. The area is surrounded by homes, schools, and several businesses. An online petition created by resident Christopher Potter called the "noise pollution" from the autonomous vehicles an "incessant disturbance" that is disrupting their daily lives. "The elementary school across the street already has parents backing up the street to pick up their kids . . . now add the constant stream of driverless vehicles (by some estimates 200 an hour) running in and out of the two lots in Santa Monica is crazy," the petition reads. SUGGESTED: Waymo is coming to Los Angeles freeways, company announces Waymo said it has already taken several measures to help reduce the noise, such as limiting working hours and buying quieter equipment. According to Waymo, the city has also taken sound measurements at the facility, and that report confirmed noise levels did not amount to a violation of the city's code. The company is setting up an email address where neighbors can report issues. SUGGESTED: Waymo vehicle vandalized during street takeover near Beverly Center The Source Information for this story is from a Waymo spokesperson and the petition.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Santa Monica residents fed up with ‘incessant' robotaxi noise
Some residents in Santa Monica are upset with what they describe as 'noise pollution' caused by Waymo charging stations in one neighborhood. The lot where dozens of driverless Waymo cars charge is located on Broadway near Euclid Street and, based on Google Maps, is surrounded by homes, schools, and several other businesses. Christopher Potter, a resident who started an online petition, says he and his neighbors are bothered by an 'incessant disturbance' of beeping sounds as the autonomous vehicles back out of their spaces – dozens of times per hour, by his estimate. 'The elementary school across the street already has parents backing up the street to pick up their kids. Now add the constant stream of driverless vehicles running in and out of the two lots in Santa Monica, and it's crazy,' Potter writes. He says one neighbor took the extreme step of blocking the driverless cars from entering the lot and was slapped with a restraining order from Waymo. 'I don't blame him — these things are just going around the block endlessly,' Potter says. Waymo launched its service in the Los Angeles area in November 2024 and primarily operates in West L.A. with around 100 vehicles currently. The petition is demanding that the company alter the cars' programming so the beeping volume is considerably lower when they're charging in their own lot. For its part, Waymo says it has already implemented steps to reduce noise in the area by planting trees and other plants to serve as sound barriers. Watch: Waymo robotaxi takes evasive action to avoid dangerous drivers in DTLA 'The City of Santa Monica has taken sound measurements at the charging facility,' the company said in a statement to the Santa Monica Daily Press. 'City Code Enforcement staff confirmed the noise levels did not rise to the level of a violation of the City's Exterior Noise Standards.' City officials acknowledge receiving complaints but told the Daily Press that they have no jurisdiction over Waymo's operations, saying the California Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Motor Vehicles permit robotaxis. 'It's imperative that Waymo respects the right to peace and tranquility of the residents of Santa Monica,' Potter demands. 'We urge the management of Waymo and the city to address our concerns and undertake urgent measures.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Telegraph
14-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Pictured: Rangers fans unfurl ‘keep woke foreign ideologies out' banner
Rangers fans are under scrutiny after unveiling a series of banners – that included the message 'Keep woke foreign ideologies out – defend Europe' – at Thursday's Europa League victory against Fenerbahce. The banner was unfurled during a match they lost 2-0 against José Mourinho's team before prevailing in a dramatic penalty shoot-out following a 3-3 aggregate score. Uefa's disciplinary rules prohibit 'provocative messages that are of a political, ideological, religious or offensive nature', although the exact meaning of the messages has been debated. A formal disciplinary investigation, therefore, appears unlikely but Uefa's disciplinary body will assess all reports from the match before deciding on any possible next steps. Rangers' bitter rivals Celtic avoided sanction for singing 'Lizzie's in a box' and 'If you hate the Royal family, clap your hands' in front of the Prince of Wales last month in the Champions League. There were also reports on Thursday night that Fenerbahce fans in the away end at Ibrox had vandalised parts of the stadium by ripping out seats. Both sets of fans had been united in tribute to Christopher Potter, the Rangers fan who tragically died last week after being struck by two cars in Besiktas ahead of the first leg. A banner in the Fenerbahce end before the game displayed an image of Potter with a Rangers scarf and the message 'Christopher Potter Rest In Peace'. The Rangers fans also displayed several banners, including one which covered much of one stand and displayed the words 'Rest Easy Christopher Potter'. Rangers had led 3-1 after the first leg but were forced into a penalty shoot-out where two saves by Jack Butland and a miss from Mert Hakan Yandas clinched their progression into the last eight. Rangers will next face Athletic Club Bilbao, with the first leg due to be played at Ibrox on Thursday, April 10. 'They showed character in abundance and we have to do that going forward – overall, I'm just delighted to be into the quarters,' said the interim head coach Barry Ferguson.
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wife pays tribute to Rangers fan killed in Istanbul
The wife of a Rangers fan killed while following his team in Turkey said he was a "hard-working, devoted, family man".Christopher Potter, 40, died in the Besiktas area last Thursday after being struck by two cars as he crossed the Potter said the father-of-three was the "life and soul of the party" and would "forever be in their hearts".The incident happened hours before the Ibrox side's Europa League last 16 match against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce. Rangers players wore black armbands in tribute to Mr Potter during the 3-1 win at the Şükrü Saracoğlu captain James Tavernier and interim manager Barry Ferguson also donated to a fundraiser for his family, which has since raised about £170, have urged supporters to take part in a minutes' applause during the 40th minute of the return leg against the Turkish side in Glasgow on Thursday. Ms Potter, 38, said the family took comfort in the fact her husband passed away while following his beloved team in she said his death had been "unbearable" for their six-year-old son Teddy and Mr Potter's two elder children Jak, 20, and Millie, said the roofer, who lived in Gartcosh, North Lanarkshire, was a hugely popular Potter added: "Christopher was a hard-working, devoted family man who always had time for those close to him."He touched the lives of everyone he met, lived his life to the full and was the life and soul of every party."Mr Potter grew up in Dennistoun, in the east end of Glasgow and was affectionately known as Mr Duke Street. His wife said: "I always used to joke how annoying it was walking along Duke Street with him because he stopped to talk to so many people – he was so well known and loved." Mr Potter was struck by a car while crossing the road after using a cash machine near Istanbul's naval museum last Thursday news reports said he was then hit again by another vehicle while on the TV reported one man was jailed in connection with the incident, while another was released on of tributes have been left at Reidvale Adenture Playground in Dennistoun, close to where Mr Potter grew up. 'One of a kind' A GoFundMe page set up in the hours following Mr Potter's passing shattered its initial target, with all funds raised shared among his Potter said: "I have been totally overwhelmed by the support I have received from everyone."Fly high Christopher, we loved you so much."A Rangers statement said: "Christopher Potter was truly one of a kind and we would urge all supporters in attendance at Ibrox tomorrow evening to join the minute's applause in tribute to one of our own."He will be missed by everyone who knew him and the thoughts of everyone at Rangers are with his family and friends at this time."
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Minute's applause at Ibrox for 'one of a kind' supporter
Rangers will hold a moment's applause in the 40th minute of Thursday night's game with Fenerbahce in tribute to fan Christopher Potter, who died in Istanbul last Ibrox season-ticket holder was in Turkey to watch his club in the Europa League last-16 tie, but died after being hit by two cars while crossing a road in the Besiktas area of the city.A club statement read: "The Potter family are overwhelmed by the support from the Rangers family and wider footballing world."Christopher Potter was truly one of a kind and we would urge all supporters in attendance at Ibrox tomorrow evening to join the minute's applause on the 40th minute mark in tribute to one of our own."
