City to Drivers: Slow Down
Council approves new speed limit.
New signs are posted on the President Streets, where the speed limit was recently reduced from 30 to 15 milers per hour. (Photo by Joseph Kellard)
As the City Council approved a plan last week to cut in half the speed limit on the President Streets, a local resident is waging a campaign to reduce the speed limit on all side streets to 20 miles per hour.
Shore Road resident Michele Reinbach said statistics show that the chances of someone getting killed in a car accident are greatly reduced at a speed of 20 MPH.
“I’m just trying to save lives,” said Reinbach, chairperson of the city’s Public Safety Commission. “It’s all about having respect for human life. We need to respect people’s lives. Do they have to suffer a personal tragedy to have their eyes opened?”
Touting her “20 is Plenty Campaign,” Reinbach said she would bring it up at the City Council meeting and take direction about where she should go from there.
“It makes a difference,” she said. “If someone is hit by a car [at 20 MPH], they are probably not going to die. It’s a no-brainer.”
State lawmakers recently passed legislation to allow city officials to reduce the speed limit from 30 MPH to 15 MPH on the President Streets. As a result, on Sept. 19 the council approved reducing the speed limit on Cleveland, Harding, Mitchell, Belmont, Atlantic, Coolidge, Wilson and Taft avenues. The ordinance took effect immediately.
Sgt. Eric Cregeen, a spokesman for the Long Beach Police Department, called it a smart move to reduce the speed limit on these streets.
“Those are narrow streets on the President Streets, and certainly if you drop the speed down to 15 MPH, it would ensure the safety of residents,” Cregeen said.
The speed limit is 30 MPH all throughout Long Beach, except for county-owned roads such as on Long Beach Boulevard, north of Park Avenue, and on East Park Avenue, east of Long Beach Boulevard, where the speed limit is 35 MPH.
“It’s up to the City Council,” Cregeen said. “Whatever speed limit they decide to set, we’ll enforce.”
He said traffic enforcement police officers are stationed throughout the city with radar guns in an attempt to catch speeders.
“I’m out there every day and see people speeding on Park Avenue and we’re doing everything we can to stop that,” Cregeen said about motorists who use Long Beach as a cut-through to get to one end of the barrier island to another. “We’ve got a couple of guys out there who are so dedicated to slow these people down day in and day out that they are writing books of summonses.”
Cregeen could not immediately say how many summonses have been written in the past year, but added that scofflaws will receive a $180 ticket for going up to 10 miles over the speed limit.
Reinbach said she first got involved with traffic law issues when her neighbor, 37-year-old Kate Rose-Eichin, a mother of two young children, was killed as she stepped out of her car on Shore Road, between Lincoln and Franklin boulevards, on June 11, 2010. Reinbach said it took two years after the accident for the city to lower the speed limit on the President Streets.
Reinbach said she could either launch a petition drive or lobby in Albany for the 20 MPH speed limit on all side streets. “We will do what we need to do,” she said. “We’re
not going to wait two years for this to happen. I feel very strongly about that.”
In addition, she said Sen. Eric Adams of Park Slope, Brooklyn is proposing similar speed limit reductions for his neighborhood in January and Reinbach is hoping to “piggyback off that.”
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Eddie May 17, 2013 at 09:12 pm
Don't hold your breath. Leonard's right. Don't count on the government for anything.
Leonard Bauman May 17, 2013 at 09:11 pm
No one in Long Beach will be offered a buyout, sell to a developer or fix it up.
Eddie May 17, 2013 at 10:19 am
Why can't Staples pay for an ad on Patch instead of posting this stuff here?
Eddie May 17, 2013 at 09:14 pm
Then think twice before you vote Democrat, Crystal. The blood will be on YOUR hands if you do.
Crystal G Piatnick May 17, 2013 at 12:18 pm
There is no question about it. Its not a matter of " right to choose" Its a matter of is…Read More abortion murder...I was so upset with the Orient and what they do to cats and dogs... Look what America does to our children...Cuomo will have their blood on his hands....I am not for abortion at all. But aborting the fetus in the third trimester has to be stopped.. Its murder.. These infants r about to be born..
Jonathan Kaplan May 17, 2013 at 10:19 am
I can get you a closet in the West End for only $2000 a month, let me know if you're interested
paul.d.spellman May 17, 2013 at 10:12 am
CMOS, The surfers from out of town come here all year long and add to the economy 12 months a year,…Read More what additional benefit do those people pushing shopping carts full of kid's toys add? Last summer the surfers were give only 1 in 3 beaches and that was base on increased demand, and this year more surfers are expected so it makes sense that more beach be set aside for them, or some kids are going to get hurt and then the city will need to pay for that.
Castles Made of Sand May 17, 2013 at 09:30 am
Paul, after you give us numbers on the "driving" economics of surfers, please tell us how…Read More many surfers come the beach in the summer. Do you know? Or are you just guessing? Your argument that surf shops continue to exist as a result of surfers shopping there is darn near brilliant. I heard a report that supermarkets in town are being solely supported by hungry people. I can't attest to that though. I do know that Empire Kayak is secretly kept in business by Whirling Dirvishes from Instanbul, and not kayakers. But I digress.
paul.d.spellman May 17, 2013 at 07:56 am
Earthling, Do you have any idea how many surfers come and use our beaches in the summer? How much…Read More they pump into our local economy? Compare those numbers to economic impact of the minority who are opposed to expanded surf beaches and you will see the city is correct in expanding the amount of surf beaches and not decreasing it. And I am not talking just about local surfers but also those that come from out of town and surf and spend, and then tell friends about here and so on.
Crystal G Piatnick May 16, 2013 at 07:46 pm
I think u r right Joseph. Its really disappointing..:( What the hec r they doing...????? Well they…Read More have 100 days to complete the boardwalk in the middle section. contract started March 12..or the 15th...60 days already and they did nothing...They have 40 more days to complete it. I really hope the town holds them to the contract.. I really do.
Elliot Zuckerman May 17, 2013 at 05:48 am
Paul as a life long resident, the first surfing school in LB and home owners hit hard by Sandy I…Read More thought it was only right to reduce our fee for summer camp.We have had many families here in the same position and just could not afford camp this summer and asked if we can help with local families so we did just that , we will fill up fast so please sign up soon as we do limit our camps to avoid any over crowding.
We also have posted our dates for the ONLY 501c3 special needs surfing foundation in Long Beach, please check out surfersway .org for more info.Its free and open to all special needs kids.
Elliot
paul.d.spellman May 16, 2013 at 07:51 am
Now if we could only get the City to reduce the outrageous fees forced upon the surf schools one can…Read More only imagine how low these prices would go. Does anyone actually know where the fees the schools pay go to?
john peri Jr May 16, 2013 at 11:36 am
Women don't have the right to commit suicide, to become a dope addict, or to sell their body parts.…Read More No one really knows how many post birth murders are being committed. Requiring a camera in abortion rooms would stop post birth murders.
Trying to Make Sense May 16, 2013 at 09:46 am
Eddie, you mislead a lot and lie occasionally. "Gosnell's actions wouldn't be criminal in a…Read More more enlightened state like New York, would they? " Yes, they would be. And you know it. In fact, if the reproductive rights of women were properly respected, pond scum like Gosnell would not take advantage of women whose options are limited and find it difficult to obtain the quality prenatal care and a safe abortion if the need one. I respect your right to be against late term abortion and I am not cheering them on but reproductive rights, control over one's body ought to be protected. And doing so would not only eliminate the Gosnells of the world, but would allow for a full range of services that decrease the likihood that women would face situations that bring them to abortion mills like his.
john peri Jr May 15, 2013 at 01:55 pm
"President Obama’s position on infants who survive abortion is exactly the kind of…Read More position that allows the horrors committed by Kermit Gosnell."
Source:http://www.lifenews.com/2013/04/21/obamas-position-on-infants-born-alive-mirrors-kermit-gosnells/
MAY May 15, 2013 at 08:43 pm
Maybe instead if bitching you should get out there and vote your people into office. It's about…Read More political connections. It could be that the diocese is helping. Tax exempt homes are wrong. Everyone should pay taxes especially when you can afford to send your kids to private school and camp that costs a lot of money however that goes for all people not any specific groups. I can think of a lot of people that got money that probably didn't need it. I know of many firsthand. Did lbc actually apply? That's what I want to know. Find that out first and then start complaining. It may look like on paper they have more money than misivta. Maybe they don't have any, or at least on paper they don't. There are a lot of variables that go into this. Just remember its the politicians who will act in your best interest and that applies to things like this. Get out there and vote.
Kevin LLewellyn May 15, 2013 at 08:09 pm
I'm pretty sure LBCS did not receive much, if any, damage. The building is set up pretty high above…Read More ground level. Maybe that's why.
Paul Carrella May 17, 2013 at 09:31 am
Its a hell of a lot of money being spent and it takes time to figure out how to rob it. Every other…Read More boardwalk in the northeast damaged by Sandy is repaired and up and running, including the shops and rides on the Jersey shore. Complete disgrace.
Tideline May 13, 2013 at 05:04 pm
If he was white, the Media would have been all over this. I am really looking forward to Obamacare.
john peri Jr May 13, 2013 at 09:21 am
This post could cause one to make a further investigation/research before making a decision.…Read More
“If excessive smoking actually plays a role in the production of lung cancer, it seems to be a minor one.” (Dr. W. C. Heuper, National Cancer Institute, quoted in NY Times 4/14/54)
Rachel Caruana May 13, 2013 at 08:56 am
If this info needs to be updated, why is it being posted? Please, like we don't have enough to…Read More worry about!
paul.d.spellman May 16, 2013 at 09:10 am
Fill a bucket up from the sink, be amazed and call Poland Spring.
Paul Carrella May 16, 2013 at 08:57 am
Slightly brown water in the toilest, does not appear to be coming out of the faucets, which I don't…Read More understand.
paul.d.spellman May 14, 2013 at 02:55 pm
Has the anyone investigated whether this could be related to the discharge from the Bay park Plant…Read More and the Goggin Propaganda piece about flushing hydrants is just a blatant coverup?
Eddie May 11, 2013 at 09:46 pm
But she's blessed enough, John to not have to pay taxes to the City of Long Beach.
Trying to Make Sense May 11, 2013 at 05:42 pm
Yet another good reason for people to visit Long Beach and our blessed ocean and food trucks.
Richard Horn May 16, 2013 at 08:45 am
I was wondering who this Ronald was. Thanks. I am also very happy if folks choose to live a…Read More religious lifestyle, but I don't need to be hit over the head with it. My mother in law is deeply religious, and is happy to answer any questions about her belief, but would never foist her views on anyone else. She lives her life and other people can live theirs. And at the end of the day we should all be able to get along somehow.
Charlie Cheswick May 13, 2013 at 11:23 am
Hey, where'd Bobby/Ronald go?! Took his ball and went home?
Trying to Make Sense May 11, 2013 at 08:09 am
So Mr. Cheswick writes, " I view ALL religious fanatics with the same contempt and will…Read More challenge them whenever I can. "Fanatic" being the keyword here." But thats not enough for Bob Jamison (his name for this week). He, defender of the faith that he is, decides that Mr. C must " show us a link to ONE post where you used the type of bigoted language towards Jews & Muslims that you use towards Christians. You can not because you are a Christian hating rat and a moral coward" Oddly Bob, when he is not villifying teachers or surfers and a host of others with his favorite label, POS, feels that Mr. C is a "stone cold bigot" and "Christian hating scum" while he assigns the title POS to every person or group that sees the world a bit different than he does. Methinks Jesus himself would reject your defense Bob. Your perversion of his message might lead him to conclude that you are "a Christian hating rat and a moral" empty suit.
Sea Bee May 17, 2013 at 10:39 pm
That's what they told me in December & January before I cancelled my membership
Kaitlin Coppock Felter May 15, 2013 at 03:52 pm
Thanks for the info! I would join Synergy, but I don't want to pay the initiation fee if there will…Read More be a club opening in walking distance from my apt
Trying to Make Sense May 15, 2013 at 08:32 am
Kaitlin, I was told that the LB location will "open in a few weeks" by a NYSC manager…Read More yesterday. I hope she knows what she's talking about.
Tony in Long Beach May 10, 2013 at 02:37 pm
Perhaps the city should send around inspectors and condemn LIPA poles because they are already les…Read More than ten feet from many west end homes and force LIPA to raise them like we are forced to raise our homes. LIPA got a whole bunch of money from FEMA perhaps they should use it to upgrade the poles in the west end. When will enough be enough ?
paul.d.spellman May 10, 2013 at 11:08 am
I wholeheartedly agree, LIPA should pick this cost up and add a little surcharge to each person's…Read More bill so the cost is not only to the westenders.