THUNDER BAY – Neighbourhood concerns over speeding along High Street have generated an official police response.
Residents living near Hillcrest Park have been vocal this spring about what they see out of control speeding along High Street. Thunder Bay Police Service officers on Monday responded by setting up a speed trap near Cornwall Avenue, near the entrance of the park.
Area resident Jane Taylor said her neighbours are trying to bring attention to the fact that some drivers are making High Street unsafe.
“We all walk in the neighbourhood, we have children in the neighbourhood, we walk our dogs every day and there’s a playground at Hillcrest Park,” Taylor said.
“It’s very difficult to get across the street in a safe way.”
Taylor said the police have been helpful in staging Monday’s speed enforcement blitz.
The goal is to draw attention to the fact that the park needs a safer access point.
Traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter said speed is one of the major parts of pedestrian safety.
“Citizens have come out to support police efforts, they are being vocal about how they feel about people that are not obeying the speed limits in their neighbourhood,” Porter said.
Porter said officers have noticed speeds have been increasing on High Street, therefore, part of the exercise is to determine the scope of the problem.
Police are encouraging drivers to slow down.
“It’s all about being mindful, mindful about the task of driving, keeping your attention on that task and trying to do the driving safely whenever possible.”
