NorthPrimrose

Conversation with CPT Hunt

Folks-

Sunday morning one of our neighbors in the 100 block, Mr. D., followed a black pick-up truck up Primrose all the way to Hillcrest, doing in excess of 45 miles an hour the whole way.

Frankly, you all probably know the one we're talking about.  It is the one with the driver with an active middle finger, who has spat at Maribel and is known to honk his horn up and down the street well after bed time.  Yeah, that guy.

After getting the license plate and watching the driver park, Mr. D. came  to our door, asking for  a letter he could leave on NPRA letterhead.  At this point, we still don't know if he was able to leave it on the truck, but the letter promised that we would be in touch with Monrovia PD. 

And, that we have!

On Monday and Tuesday, Robert talked with CPT Hunt in regard to this and other issues.  We are told (without specifics) that the truck is registered in our local area and it has been put "on the program."

The license plate in question begins with 7E7.  If you see it breaking the law, please call MPD and let them know.

On a related note, several Code Enforcement Officers attempted to carry off one of Lynda and Mike's signs Monday afternoon.  Lynda dashed out and retrieved it.  We are told by CPT Hunt that this was a mistake.  He was surprised, and originally thought it was most likely someone impersonating an officer.  We are assured that this was a misunderstanding and that  SLOWDOWN signs in the parkways have been deemed acceptable (if technically misaligned with the City sign ordinance).

City Installs Speed Limit Signs

Neighbors:

During our rose hunting walkabout this morning, Robin, from the 200 block, pointed out to us that the promised 25 MPH signs have gone in. 

This is a good sign (pun intended)!  We were beginning to get concerned that the City was going to fail to follow through.  Clearly they did not!  Kudos to the City Manager and Public Works Director Doug Fike!

As you may recall, the plan is to watch the effect of the new signs, and see how traffic does until the end of the month, then get together again.  We will get in touch with the City to set that meeting.

One thing we cannot emphasize enough - call in egregious speeders, especially if you get license numbers.

One neighbor was recently spat at by a guy in a large blue truck. This is not acceptable.  We're geting closer to success - and peace!

Meeting Re-cap

A total of 18 Primrose-area neighbors from 13 homes attended tonight's meeting at City Hall.

We went through a presentation on the City's findings (which we will distribute shortly to those on the email list) led by City Engineer David Fike and CPT Hunt from the Police Department.

In essence, this is what was found:
- There is a distinctly different velocity for North bound traffic (34 MPH north of Oaks on average) than South bound.
- Primrose seems to be the slower than both Magnolia and Stedman.
- About 1/3 of traffic south of Oaks comes to or from Oaks.
- The street had 1354 daily vehicle trips South of Oaks, and about half that north.
- The volume study was done twice (the second was lower, 1050 at the South end).
- Average speed has increased slightly since the 2006 survey.

The survey was done on Tuesday, Jan 29-30. Tuesday-Thursday are the City's survey days, by policy, een though we mad eclear the problem is worse on the weekends.  Most of us objected strenuously to the survey findings. Things started to get pretty contentious early on, but calm was maintained in the end. Now, we all know that the survey measuring lines were torn out. We wonder if it was raining then, too. We all saw speeders drive around the lines. The City was left relatively clear that we didn't take the results seriously, though they did say that other surveyed streets most likely had the same error factors in their surveys. (For the record, we do not concur. Some of our speeders are aggessive and offensive in a unique manner).

The City even admitted to recording several cars going in excess of 50 MPH, seemingly mostly in the morning, yet none had been cited by MPD at that speed.

Regardless, the volume count did not justify stop signs.

On the enforcement side, CPT Hunt reported that MPD:
- Wrote 23 citations since Jan 22, including 7 on the 23rd. 
- There was some dispute as to whether we wanted MPD to go contact speeders we identified, as apparently that had not been done. CPT Hunt will now send officers to visit the offenders (we had already thought this was happening).
- The fastest was going 47 MPH, and only four were over 35.  The rest were at 31-35.
- 87% of those cited were local Primrose-area residents.

It is worth noting that two neighbors who attended generally voiced dissent, including one who dismissed our effort and said there is no real problem on Primrose. He openly questioned why we started "a political action committee."  Robert tried to make clear that this voice is welcome and important to the finding of an amicable solution, but insulting us and dimissing peoples' concerns - especially when outnumbered 16-2, is not appropriate, and he clearly had no idea what we've done beyond the traffic issue.  Notably, both of these dissenters live at the far North end of the street, and do not share our volume at the South end.  Regardless, we must take their views and experiences into account as we identify a solution that works for everyone - including them.

After a lot of back and forth, the general consensus of the meeting was as follows:
- Physical measures are a long-term step, and we are probably wiser taking 'baby steps' toward them.
- No Later Than Thursday, the City will post markers indicating proposed signage locations. This signage will emphasize the 25 MPH limit and down-hill speed cautions.
..... in regard to this, Monica has suggested that we might want to purchase "Children at Play" signs that are commercially available. We should discuss this!
- Enforcement will continue. Primrose will be added to MPD's traffic enforcement matrix. Mayor Hammond insisted vociferously that the current contract dispute  with MPOA  has nothing to do with officer assigements and availability.  There presently is one officer transferring out of motorcycle traffic enforcement to another assignment, leaving one to cover the whole City.
- We will meet again, approximately on May 1, to discuss the impacts of this second round of measures.

On a related note, City Manager Scott Ochoa encouraged us to report all complaints about the liquor store. The City is actively reviewing licenses of each alcohol establishment in town, and those complaints are key.

SUMMARY:  It was another night of slow progress.  It appears clear the City is dead-set against stop signs.  Rumble strips and/or speed humps are longer-term alternatives. It makes sense to move slowly towards those expensive, permanent measures, but progress must also be consistent and deliberate.

We look forward to your thoughts, and encourage you to post them in the comments below.  Please report blatant speeding and liquor store issues immediately, and let us know too.

La La La La La La La La

Despite numerous attempts by this organization to schedule a mutually acceptable night to review options for controlling the speed on Primrose Avenue, yesterday's mail brought word from City Engineer David Fike that the City has decreed what day the next meeting will be (again).

Apparently, having screwed up the first time by failing to coordinate calendars, the City chose to go forward without regard to residents' desires.  Last time they set the meeting for the Mayflower School open house.  We recommended March 3 or 6, based on your responses to our last inquiry.  Mr. Ochoa and Mr. Fike did not find our requests worthy of acknowledgment.

Hopefully, this time, despite ignoring our overtures, they got it right.  We'll see.

Anyway, here's the details:  Tuesday, March 11, City Hall.

Perhaps they will listen to what we have to say. Thus far, their record in that regard is very weak.

This household does not hold its breath.

Rumble Trouble

Rufus, one of our newest neighbors, is a crack researcher, by nature of his trade.

He provides this information, which is very relevant to the Rumble Strips discussion. Thanks!

We're hearing from more and more of you that the noise of Rumble Strips is inconsistent with our goals.  We tend to agree.  Though a creative solution, they do not seem to accomplish what we want how we want.  Here's Rufus' email:

Below is a link to a fact sheet on rumble strips.  They are mainly used to keep drivers awake on expressways, interstate highways, and parkways.  No where does it say that it should be used as a measure for slowing down cars on a residential road!

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/rumble/overview.htm

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/rumble/rumble_types/concern_noise.htm

BREAKING NEWS: Letter From The City

Neighbors:

A letter from the City arrived in our mail box today, as we assume it did yours.

The letter seems to indicate that we, as a group, asked for the "rumble strips," and specifically requested certain addresses to have them.  We don't recall it that way, but perhaps we're reading it too closely.  In addition, the letter addresses some of the othe measures we all agreed to, like signs and street stenciling.

Whatever the case, the City is clearly leaning way forward on this matter.  This house is not 100% convinced that rumble strips are the 100% solution.  But, clearly, they are a good interim step, with potential for ultimate accomplishment of our goals.  We will not take a complacent "done deal" attitude, but we now have great  confidence that this ultimate solution (whatever it may be) will be achieved sooner rather than later.

It is due time for us to express our thanks to Mayor Rob Hammond, City Manager Scott Ochoa, Public Works Director David Fike and Police Captain John Hunt.  They are in synch with our goals, and are moving to accomplish them.  Thank you, gentlemen.

We will keep you posted on the future meeting date.

Regards,
Robert & Maribel

Rumor of Rumble!*

This says it all, neighbors!

The City apparrently thinks there is enough of a problem to be looking at "rumble strips" of "botts dotts" on Primrose.  This is something Mayor Hammond referenced at our last meeting as a potential solution that should be considered.

We've heard nothing official, but clearly the survey or some other data indicates some measures are required.  Perhaps the City noticed the attacks from the miscreants and realized whatever data they had wouldn't really reflect the marginal aspects of the problem which are the true tranquility and safety trouble makers.

There are four proposed locations between Foothill and Hillcrest, two South of Oaks, and one each North and South of Gretystone.

What do you think???  Not enough?  Too disruptive?  Worth a try?  Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to join the next meeting!

Robert will be in touch with CPT Hunt in the next couple of days for an update on the ticketing/enforcement.

(* couple of confusing typos removed. And apologies for the shaky night time photo.).

ATTACK ON PRIMROSE RESIDENTS

The following email was sent to CPT Hunt of the Monrovia Police Department.

Maribel and I have recently been talking to lots of folks around town, and they all speak very highly of Captain Hunt's professionalism, dedication and "bedside manner."  This is consistent with the response and interaction we've had since we started this formal process. It's good to know that the enforcement piece of this solution is going well.  But, as you'll see in our email, other parts are not going so well. Here's the text of the email.

CPT Hunt:

Maribel & I want to bring a couple of things to your attention.


First, you might be interested to know that the City traffic survey "tubes" on Primrose, just south of Hillcrest, were pulled up and tossed out of the road way.  We have a photo we'll post later. 

Clearly, between this vandalism, the theft of signs, and the "saluting" that continues to occur from certain blatant offenders, it is not unreasonable to say that sombody appears to be at war with our neighborhood, simply because we want to preserve it's peace and safety.

In addition, per your request that we report offenders, please drop by and visit the owner of a white full-size pick-up, licenese 7M0---- About 15 minutes ago, I witnessed the young man behind the wheel tear onto Primrose from Hillcrest (westbound to southbound), and gun his engine until he saw the traffic sign. Five-six seconds AFTER he hit his brakes, the "speed board" registered him at 32 MPH. Goodness only knows how fast he was going before he braked, but I'd say well over 40 or 45.

Thanks for your continued attention to this matter, especially when you have some very big headaches right now.  We really apprecite your effort.


All the best,
Robert C. J. Parry

Twenty-Five or 6-2-Four(ty)...

With appologies to the band Chicago, the City (while clearly having some other things on its mind) has managed to take a half-step back.  We all know the speed on Primrose is 25 MPH.

As does the speed machine they placed tonight.

Unfortunately, much like our neighbors, it seems the machine also gets confused.  Yes, you are correct. Your eyes were not fooling you, the sign did read "Speed Limit 40 MPH" at several points tonight. In fairness, Robert stood in front of it for 20 minutes to get a "40 MPH" photo and got nothing but cold, so it seems the problem was fixed at some point. 

But, we'll have a photo, as soon as T-mobile delivers it, because it does say something about quality of service.

We made the City Managers' report this week. Last week, we were completely left out (not even included in the press clips that usually mention all things Monrovia). This week we are in.  Clearly the City is taking notice.

At the same time, we can not rest.  We will not make this a point of irritation, but we dissent from Mr. Ochoa's assertion that

"the residents had already done some research and had come to understand that stop signs are not appropriate for controlling speed, and speed humps are generally ineffective for local residential traffic (as opposed to cut-through commuter traffic). Instead, we focused on enforcement strategies and signage as the better alternatives."

We do not recall ruling out any potential solution whatsoever, though clearly stop signs have some significant legal hurdles.  Speed humps, in the minds of this house, at any rate, remain a very viable alternative.  We'll chalk this up to a very busy man dealing with some major issues, and not let dissent breed acrimony.  However, we will expect all aternatives to be considered when we re-convene in three weeks or so.

We also will remind Mr. Ochoa that the speeding issue is more than a "peace and quiet," quality of life matter.  It is a life-and-death matter, exactly the same as the current spate of shootings in the South end of town.

Robert has swapped email with CPT Hunt of MPD several times since our meeting, and we have met several police officers on patrol. (Oh, by the way, the police cars parked at our house Friday were for a hit-and-run that happened in our driveway courtesy of a lost beer thief from the Copper Lamp).  We have made a point of acknowledging that MPD is in a full-out gang war right now, and  that we can't have all the cops, all the time.  He assures us that additional enforcement continues, and will do so daily. If you are on the street several times in a day, and do not notice MPD at all, please let us know, and we will raise the issue.

CPT Hunt has also reminded the Public Works department of their signage promises.

Hopefully they will read the right speed!!!!

Progress is being made.  We encourage you to read the local blogs, especially the Tribune's Crime Scene blog, which has detailed the recent crime wave in great, up-to-the-minute detail.

Finally, If you know any of your neighbors lack Internet access, please print a few copies of this blog and deliver it to them, or at least talk to them (there's a novel concept!)  The rain kept us from getting much out over the weekend in print.

Thanks for your support.  Those who would like to donate for the signs (and replacement sign stands, another $70), please feel free to drop by 129.  We thank you for your continued effort.

Regards,
Robert & Maribel

Wheels are officially squeaking!

Well, we've been in covered by the local paper and several other outlets!  We're off and running, and I think we got the City's attention.

Here are some photographs of our efforts and the media covering them!  Both photos by Frazgo at Blogging.la

Maribel Parry talking to Channel 2 & 9.

Our signs on the first morning.