To: Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, Scott Waguespack, Alderman - 32nd Ward, The Illinois State House, The Illinois State Senate, and Governor J.B. Pritzker
Mandated, enforced 25 mph speed limit on Damen, with stop signs at each cross street.
Enforce a mandated speed limit, through cameras or patrol, on Damen between Diversey and Belmont, and install stop signs on cross streets to encourage slower speeds. PUBLIC SAFETY RISK.
Why is this important?
On Friday, March 21, our dog slid through a crack in our fence revealed by melting snow, leading to her wandering out onto Damen Avenue in front of our three-flat. A Good Samaritan saw this, and started to stop traffic to get her out of the street. A speeding SUV ran over the dog, killing her, and nearly ran over the good person that was trying to help.
The situation is unfortunate, and I don't expect restitution for our loss. However, here is what terrifies me: the driver of the speeding SUV never hit their brakes, never slowed, never stopped. Further, not a soul has stopped for me as a pedestrian in a crosswalk when I am out running or walking, and I've also narrowly missed being hit, both during the day and after dark.
The speed limit (or lack thereof), lack of enforcement, lack of traffic management signs (stop signs), or a combination of these has led to this stretch of Damen between Belmont and Diversey to become exceeding dangerous. This stretch borders Hamlin Park, where people bring their children and pets to play. What's next, a child running after a baseball? Human lives are at risk, as well as pet safety.
An appropriate speed limit must be enforced on this stretch of road, with new stop signs installed to encourage slower speeds as well. The red light cameras at the six corners of Damen/Diversey/Clybourn are simply not enough to keep this residential street safe. Many other residents have expressed the same concern, leading to this petition.
The situation is unfortunate, and I don't expect restitution for our loss. However, here is what terrifies me: the driver of the speeding SUV never hit their brakes, never slowed, never stopped. Further, not a soul has stopped for me as a pedestrian in a crosswalk when I am out running or walking, and I've also narrowly missed being hit, both during the day and after dark.
The speed limit (or lack thereof), lack of enforcement, lack of traffic management signs (stop signs), or a combination of these has led to this stretch of Damen between Belmont and Diversey to become exceeding dangerous. This stretch borders Hamlin Park, where people bring their children and pets to play. What's next, a child running after a baseball? Human lives are at risk, as well as pet safety.
An appropriate speed limit must be enforced on this stretch of road, with new stop signs installed to encourage slower speeds as well. The red light cameras at the six corners of Damen/Diversey/Clybourn are simply not enough to keep this residential street safe. Many other residents have expressed the same concern, leading to this petition.