Speeding through town is a problem.
A resident of South Chester Avenue came to the microphone at a township council meeting in April calling drivers “absolutely absurd.”
“Someone is going to get killed,” he said, asking officials for additional stop signs, speed bumps, and/or enforcement. “I don’t know where. I don’t know how, but it’s going to happen.
“Brown Street is a speedway. Chester is a speedway.”
Council President Lynn Jeney said officials have recognized the issue and speed enforcement is key.
“We hired additional (police officers),” he noted. “We’re working with the chief for dedicated traffic control.”
Jeney added that he, Councilman-at-Large Tom Morrow and Mayor Barnes Hutchins met with state Sen. Troy Singleton to discuss the issue.
“(The problem) is everywhere,” Singleton said, suggesting he wouldn’t be opposed to cameras capturing license plates.
Hutchins said the cost would be exponentially higher to consider cameras. At the most recent work session meeting, officials discussed placing solar-powered radar speed signs in dedicated locations, particularly school locations and where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour.
“It flashes how fast you’re going,” Hutchins explained of the signs. ” … Every time I see one, I’m like ‘Oh, I was only doing 22 (mph) … or opposite of that.'”
The township is currently getting quotes for the solar-powered radar speed signs and having conversations with the school district to figure out the best areas. Officials also spoke about using two available portable signs and possibly renting more asking motorists to slow down.
“It’s not the police’s fault,” the resident maintained. “… Just slow them down.”
The next regular council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12.
A photo of a motor vehicle crash in October. Officials are considering safety feataures like cameras capturing license plates.
