Seven residents at the meeting said they have had cars damaged or destroyed while parked on the street near the intersection, and many others said they feel unsafe when walking across the residential street.
“I’m afraid there is going to be a tragedy before someone will finally listen,” said Julie Buzzelli, a Park Place resident.
Joo Lee, a 49-year-old Montrose resident, died from injuries he sustained after being struck and thrown 70 feet by an SUV as he crossed Montrose Avenue on New Year’s Day. The driver in the case has not been caught.
Tim Babich, a traffic engineer with the county’s Public Works Department, told the residents that officials are completing an updated traffic survey for Waltonia Drive, and could soon lower the speed limit by 5 mph, to 25 mph.
The speed limit on Waltonia cannot be enforced by radar because its engineering study has expired, officials said.
Residents had also asked for the installation of speed humps, but Babich said a 2009 survey showed the street did not meet county requirements.
Once the new speed limit is posted and a two-week transition period is completed, California Highway Patrol officers will step up enforcement, officials said.
“We are going to be shooting radar like crazy,” said CHP Officer Ming-Yang Hsu.
Still, only one patrol officer will be assigned to the area on a permanent, daily basis.
“Our numbers are significantly better than they were two years ago,” he said. “We are trying to improve, but population is growing faster than our officers.”
Officials urged residents to report all accidents in the area, regardless of how minor, as state records show only 13 accidents near the intersection in the past 10 years.
“The statistics aren’t truly reflective of the problem,” said Town Council Treasurer Dennis van Bremen. “People really need to report the accidents.”
