Title
Safe Streets Initiative
Body
Summary and Background Information:
The "Safe Streets Initiative" is a proposed addition to our existing traffic calming measures, specifically tailored for two-lane residential streets. This program aims to enhance the safety and quality of life for our residents by reducing neighborhood speeding through a structured, community-driven approach.
Program Objectives:
1. Education:
o The initiative will start with raising awareness among drivers about the importance of adhering to speed limits in residential areas, emphasizing the safety of all community members.
2. Enforcement:
o In areas where speeding persists, the program will include targeted traffic monitoring and ticketing by law enforcement to ensure compliance.
3. Engineering:
o Should speeding remain an issue after education and enforcement efforts, residents can request further evaluation for engineering solutions, following the city’s traffic calming guidelines.
Resident Participation Requirements:
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be a resident of Commerce City.
• Must agree to and comply with the program rules.
• Must enlist at least four additional volunteers from different households in the neighborhood to help implement the initiative.
• Must be willing to collaborate with the Police Department and traffic engineers.
• Must engage with their neighbors to promote the program and encourage participation.
Examples of Similar Programs:
Several other cities have implemented comparable programs with positive results:
• Austin, TX: The "Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program" empowers communities to take charge of reducing speeding through collaborative efforts.
• Portland, OR: The "Slow Streets Program" successfully combines education and physical measures to calm traffic in residential areas.
• San Jose, CA: The "Street Smarts Program" integrates community outreach, law enforcement, and engineering to enhance neighborhood traffic safety.
• Northglenn, CO: The “No Need for Speed Program” addresses vehicle speed near their homes through education and outreach.
Councilmember Responsible: Charles Dukes
Co-Sponsor: Sean Ford
Suggested Motion: I move that city staff explore the financial requirements to establish the "Safe Streets Initiative," a program designed to address vehicle speeding in our residential neighborhoods through a combination of education, enforcement, and community outreach. I request that the cost analysis and implementation plan be presented at the September 9th budget meeting for Council review and discussion.