Police increase traffic enforcement along Parker Street

Date: 4/4/2012

April 4, 2012

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Police Department is stepping up traffic enforcement along the Parker Street corridor as well as other heavily traveled areas of the city this spring.

Sgt. John Delaney, executive aide to the police commissioner, confirmed that the department has begun a visible effort to curb speeding and other violations in areas where there have been multiple complaints and statistical data supporting the need.

"It's based primarily on community complaints and comments at neighborhood council meetings, which Commissioner [William] Fitchet attends regularly," Delaney said. "Most of the complaints center around speeding and noise."

Delaney explained that accident statistics also play a role in deployment.

"A lot of accidents are caused by speed and can be avoided," he said.

In addition to Parker Street, traffic patrols have been increased on Page Boulevard, Carew Street and Sumner Avenue.

"These are some of the most heavily traveled roads in the city and we want to make sure they remain safe," Delaney said. "We are taking what amounts to a zero-tolerance stance."

Recent enforcement on Sumner Avenue and Allen Street Extension have produced positive response from the residents of the area.

Delaney indicated that Parker Street has been targeted for increased enforcement because it is thickly settled. He added that by virtue of being long and relatively straight with lengthy distances between traffic signals, the road is conducive to speeding.

"It's almost like a highway," he said. "It's a very thickly settled residential neighborhood, so there is certainly a real danger there."

In addition to handing out tickets, it is the department's hope that the increased presence of police cruisers on the roadway will make motorists aware and remain conscious of their speed.

Delaney also pointed to a recent grant secured by grant writing officer Sgt. Brian Elliot as a key tool in traffic enforcement. With the grant, the department purchased a speed board to notify drivers if they are driving in excess of the speed limit.

Delaney said the primary deployment of the device has been around schools. On March 29 when he spoke with Reminder Publications, he said it was set up on Peekskill Avenue in Sixteen Acres, a side street that leads to Sabis International Charter School, a location that is known for speeding motorists, according to residents.

"People are rushing up and down that street coming to and from the school," he said.

In certain instances the board may be followed up by deployed officers in the area should problems persist.

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