HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 06-30 Police to set up Harvester patrol THE REVIEW Police to set up
Harvester p atrol
by Kamy Ide however,an engineering study is required
Maplewood police will step up their to adopt it. The study includes school
patrols of the Harvester avenue area, route planning, hazard evaluations,
following a petition presented to the traffic counts, pedestrian volumes,
Maplewood city council at its June 17 parking zones, traffic control devices,
session. sidewalk,fencing,accident history,etc.It
The petition, signed by 47 area also entails a continuing involvement with
residents,asked the council to investigate the school in utilizing pedestrial routes
a 20 mile per hour speed limit for the area, and in safety education."Miller's report
place stop signs on Harvester at Ferndale also listed various pros and cons of the
to discourage high speed traffic and to lower speed zone, pointing out it can
increase police patrols during the hours "reduce vehicular speed differential,"
from evening rush traffic until dark. but also could "increase accident
Mayor Robert Bruton explained to a potential"in areas improperly zoned.
citizen spokesman at the session, "The
city took advantage of what we thought Miller's report stated that a machine
was a good opportunity." He said the count on Friday,June 4,indicated a total
council had agreed to a set of national of 1,462 vehicles on Harvester avenue.
standards on traffic signalization,where The busiest hour was from 8-9 p.m.,with
a federal agency would provide traffic 217 vehicles,and from 10-11 a.m.with 171
signs. However, the program also vehicles."With this type of information,it
requires the city to abide by federal appears that the work trip is not the
standards in placement of signs."We can largest item of concern,but rather the
put up no signs without permission or else normal daily activities of things such as
we have to pay for all the signs,"Bruton shopping or visiting. Again, the in-
said. stallation of a stop sign will not
Councilman Donald Wiegert said automatically reduce accidents."
certain criteria must exist before some His report also noted,"There are many
signs can be put in place,"unfortunately areas in Maplewood which have similar
one of which happens to be how many traffic problems...most schools within
people you've squashed,"he explained. Maplewood are adjacent to streets with as
The council directed City Engineer high or higher volumes and speeds than
Robert Collier to confer with state of- exist on Harvester.Therefore,if a study
ficials on the possibility of prohibiting left is done to reduce the speed limit on
turns off 120 on to Harvester and on Harvester, it should be done to other
establishing no parking zones in the area. schools also.The City of Maplewood does
A written report by City Manager not have the adequate personnel to
Michael Miller indicated the 20 mile per conduct this type of study."
hour speed zone was requested by The council indicated it would be
residents is"relatively new to Minnesota. favorable to conduct such a study but
It has value in certain situations; could not without funds.