Decatur is attempting to get its speed limits reduced. Assistant City Manager David Junger and staff have spent the last few years wading through the Georgia Department of Transportation’s red tape, so far with very limited success. Junger and company want all speed limits “residential,” making one mile per hour over a violation. (Currently on most streets a car has to go at least 11 mph over before getting ticketed.)
The city’s frustration at getting limits lowered was highlighted on April 25 when a car driven by Lakeside High student Ramiro Pedemonte was going over 100 mph on Decatur’s Scott Boulevard when it struck a car driven by Lakeside teacher Leah O’Brien, killing her instantly.
Scott Boulevard has been a particular concern, especially considering 60 percent of the city’s tickets in the last two years have been issued on that thoroughfare.
We asked readers what would they like to see done about the speeding problem. Here are some responses:
I am a Decatur resident who must cross Scott daily, and my daughter attends the newly-reopened elementary school on Scott. Since Scott is a state road, Decatur must work with the GDOT to create a safer environment for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and Westchester Elementary School families. Lowering the speed limit, continued speed enforcement, and infrastructure upgrades such as sidewalk expansion, the addition of physical barriers between pedestrians and drivers, and bike lanes should be considered. And, a pedestrian bridge allowing elementary school students and other pedestrians to safely cross should also be explored. — Margaret Ciccarelli
Unfortunately, I feel lowering the speed limit will have little to no impact (having a lower limit would not have prevented the teen speeder from exceeding 100 mph). The only thing I can picture in my mind are regularly and strategically placed speed bumps — not tables, but bumps, like the ones in the Decatur CVS parking lot. Hit one of those going more than 5 mph, and the underside of your car is destroyed! Put them close enough together that it would be nearly possible to pick up any real speed in between. — Holly Bennett
I live with my family in Westchester Hills, very near the scene of the accident in April. Westchester Elementary is also right in that area. Our neighbors have told us that one of the biggest issues of concern for the school is the traffic on Scott. The speed limit is 35 mph when you get to Atlanta. They could lower it to 35 in Decatur as well? Of course - DOT would have to approve that. They should at least narrow the lanes. This is proven to reduce speeds. With the extra space they could either add a bike lane or widen existing sidewalks into the street. — Amy Stewart
One man (David Junger) should not be able to dictate speed limits in Decatur. First, think of the revenue the city will lose if everyone goes the speed limit. Secondly, one horrible accident should not deem a particular roadway unsafe. A kid going 100mph is going to go 100mph whether the speed limit is 35, 45, or 55. To inconvenience thousands of motorists on a daily basis is ridiculous! Although the city would probably increase its traffic citation revenue, and isn't that really what it's all about? — Pat Morris
My husband, three kids and I live near the intersection of Scott and Coventry. My kids use the crosswalk at that intersection on nearly a daily basis as we walk to and from school, as do many other families. The cross guard at that intersection, Ms. Pam, is assertive, attentive and does her best to protect the children. Unfortunately, she has nearly gotten herself run over on numerous occasions when she is just trying to do her job! Every day I witness cars speeding at very high rates of speed through that intersection and running the red lights. I fear that it's only a matter of time before someone is run over at that intersection and I am afraid it could be a child. — Amy Woolf
Decatur should increase the speed limit on Scott Boulevard to 50 mph or 55 mph. Decatur is not a large city. Still, despite the relatively diminutive size of the city, if more than 60 percent of the speeding tickets over a recent 2-year period occurred on one roadway that stretches a mere 1.5 mile distance, then the facts inform us that civil disobedience is high in regard to the current 40 mph speed limit. Consequently, the ticket data principally illustrates that a significant percentage of the citizenry is silently dissenting regarding the inanity of a 40 mph speed limit. Until there is solid accident data that warrants a reduction in speed, then I refuse to believe that ticket writing on Scott Boulevard is a public safety function. Therefore, the silent voice of the people should speak and the speed limit should be raised. — Mark Spivak
The issue that everyone seems to be ignoring about Scott is the lack of control of DeKalb County supervisors towards out-of-control construction on Clifton. North Decatur is like a parking lot for its entire length (between Clifton and Clairemont for sure) at both morning and evening rush hours, so when people get to Scott they speed to get to 78 or to 285 out of frustration and desire to get home. The other problems are the neighborhood opposed WalMart at Scott and North Decatur, and a new 500 unit apartment building being built across the street from WalMart. This will only make for more congestion and frustration on Scott. — Eric Aslakson
Bill Banks for the AJC
For years, a handful of Berkeley Lake residents have clamored for their own police department. With only about 2,000 residents, the tiny hamlet in southwest Gwinnett can’t afford the millions Duluth and Norcross spend for police protection without raising taxes. Plus, the community’s crime rate remains relatively low compared to its neighbors.
In May the city purchased a modified 2015 Ford Explorer and established a city marshal program to replace the city’s security guard services.
“Part of the impetus for this change was a concern that the security guards were having a high rate of turnover and not really able to remain as familiar with us and our neighborhoods as we would like. The city marshal is employed directly by us and can be more responsive to us,” said Mayor Lois Salter.
For now, Berkeley Lake’s program is cost effective. By combining the city’s code enforcement officer and city marshal into one full-time position, the city will actually save close to $20,000 a year and avoid raising taxes.
The city marshal will write citations and have authority to question suspicious activity, but not the ability to write traffic tickets or make arrests. Berkeley Lake will continue to rely upon Gwinnett Police to provide law enforcement.
Dacula, similar in size to Berkeley Lake, has a city marshal program. Sugar Hill continues to use security guards. Gwinnett’s newest city, Peachtree Corners, uses Gwinnett County Police provides and has no plans for its own police force.
Do you think a city marshal program, a city police department, security guard services or using county police is the best choice for smaller cities? Email reponses to communitynews@ajc.com.
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