Traffic Calming Devices
Traffic Calming Devices
The Issue
My name is Raymond Peele and I represent the Preserves at Windlass Run Community in Middle River. I am writing to you in response to an email I received from Mr. Link that was forwarded to him by Councilwoman Bevins.
On 7/14/20, I sent an email to Mrs. Bevins’ office regarding the community’s many concerns with the speeding and aggressive driving that has been and continues to take place along Campbell Blvd; between Rt. 43 and Bird River Road. I want to first thank you for immediately responding to myself and the others that were CC’d on your reply. (See Councilwoman Bevins reply email below)
Good afternoon,
Constituent Raymond Peele contacted me in the email below with concerns about speeding on Campbell Blvd since the opening of the road. Mr. Peel would like to have traffic calming devices or other mechanisms installed in the area of road between the two residential entrances at the Preserves at Windlass Run. Mr. Peele does note police have been active in the area but that is not a permanent fix to this concern. Please have this request investigated, respond directly to Mr. Peele and copy or update my office.
Thank you for your help in this matter.
On 07/15/20, I received an email from Keith Link - Baltimore County Transportation regarding my request for some kind of assistance along Campbell Blvd. (See Keith Links email below)
Mr. Peele,
Since Campbell Blvd. was built as a major arterial roadway with its intended function to serve commuter and emergency services we are not allow to consider it for Traffic Calming. Police enforcement is the primary means of speed control on these types of roadways. You can request Police enforcement by contacting your local Police Precinct. Thanks
W. Keith Link
I certainly thank you for your response, but it is not an answer that we feel will maintain the safety and livability to which we are accustomed. I was able to read on the Baltimore County website, information regarding the Baltimore County Department of Public Works Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. This caught my attention as it seems like the perfect program to assist in minimizing the daily issue this community is having regarding speeding and aggressive driving. This program states in the “Introduction” section that, “The neighborhood traffic management program (NTMP) for residential streets represents the commitment by Baltimore County to promote and maintain the safety and livability of the County’s residential neighborhoods. As congestion along the highway network has grown in frequency, magnitude, and duration, resourceful motorists have found bypass routes through local residential streets. Aggressive driving and a diminished respect for other motorists, pedestrians, traffic control devices and general rules of the road have become more common. Increased traffic volumes and vehicular speeds have negatively impacted the livability of many residential communities. In an effort to reduce the negative impact of traffic in our neighborhoods, the NTMP provides a process for identifying, evaluating and addressing undesirable traffic conditions relating to speed, volume and cut-through traffic in our residential neighborhoods. By working with the community and conducting the necessary traffic engineering studies, the Department of Public Works will assist the community in developing a plan to deal with these undesirable traffic conditions.”
Two of the goals listed with NTMP are: (1). Improving neighborhood livability by reducing speeds and (2). Promoting safe and pleasant conditions for residents, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.
As I respect Mr. Link’s opinion, I would have to disagree with him. The function of Campbell Blvd as Mr. Link stated, “is to serve commuter and emergency services.” I would like to draw your attention to a story that aired on the local Baltimore news on July 28, 2020. The segment focused on the tragic story of Deborah Limmer and Delaney Gaddis, a grandmother and granddaughter that were killed walking along a Baltimore County roadway. If you aren’t familiar with is story, please take a few minutes to review the attached article. What saddens me the most is that this community has been complaining since 1985 for something to be done, and it wasn’t until this fatal crash that Baltimore County was motivated to act. I pray Windlass Run and every other community around the world doesn’t have to deal with what happened two years ago to this family.
I don’t typically like to bring up police work, but as an active law enforcement officer in a neighboring jurisdiction, we are often reminded by our senior officers that “members of the community provide the best information.” The community members see it and live it every day. Since 1985, the aforementioned community members cried out to local officials for help, yet nothing was done. An innocent 5-year-old girl had to lose her life before Baltimore County agreed to install the devices. I would hate for my community to suffer a similar fate!
The Preserves at Windlass Run is a very active community. At any given day and time, you will see kids and adults riding bikes, running, and/ or walking. During the last two years our community has experienced an increase in the number of traffic and/or speed related incidents. At least one incident was a combination of driving too fast, and distracted driving. The result was a car nearly missed slamming into the front of a townhome located on Campbell Blvd. Please, take a moment to really visualize that scenario for a moment. The car darted across one lane of traffic, jumped a curb, ran through the front yard of several townhomes, and just missed slamming into the first story of one specific townhome. We were fortunate that no one at that time was walking, running or riding a bike!
With the daily complaints from our community members about travelers using Campbell Blvd as a speedway, these traffic/speeding related incidents are a trend that one can reasonably presume will only increase. To be fair, on several occasions Baltimore County Police have monitored the activity along Campbell Blvd, but they also have competing priorities. The bottom line is no one feels safe outside of a vehicle while on Campbell Blvd right now. We are asking for help before it’s too late, and again it should not take the tragedy of one to prevent further heartache in a community or family.
We are asking for assistance in making this roadway safe for anyone to travel. Thank you for your time regarding this matter.
The Issue
My name is Raymond Peele and I represent the Preserves at Windlass Run Community in Middle River. I am writing to you in response to an email I received from Mr. Link that was forwarded to him by Councilwoman Bevins.
On 7/14/20, I sent an email to Mrs. Bevins’ office regarding the community’s many concerns with the speeding and aggressive driving that has been and continues to take place along Campbell Blvd; between Rt. 43 and Bird River Road. I want to first thank you for immediately responding to myself and the others that were CC’d on your reply. (See Councilwoman Bevins reply email below)
Good afternoon,
Constituent Raymond Peele contacted me in the email below with concerns about speeding on Campbell Blvd since the opening of the road. Mr. Peel would like to have traffic calming devices or other mechanisms installed in the area of road between the two residential entrances at the Preserves at Windlass Run. Mr. Peele does note police have been active in the area but that is not a permanent fix to this concern. Please have this request investigated, respond directly to Mr. Peele and copy or update my office.
Thank you for your help in this matter.
On 07/15/20, I received an email from Keith Link - Baltimore County Transportation regarding my request for some kind of assistance along Campbell Blvd. (See Keith Links email below)
Mr. Peele,
Since Campbell Blvd. was built as a major arterial roadway with its intended function to serve commuter and emergency services we are not allow to consider it for Traffic Calming. Police enforcement is the primary means of speed control on these types of roadways. You can request Police enforcement by contacting your local Police Precinct. Thanks
W. Keith Link
I certainly thank you for your response, but it is not an answer that we feel will maintain the safety and livability to which we are accustomed. I was able to read on the Baltimore County website, information regarding the Baltimore County Department of Public Works Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. This caught my attention as it seems like the perfect program to assist in minimizing the daily issue this community is having regarding speeding and aggressive driving. This program states in the “Introduction” section that, “The neighborhood traffic management program (NTMP) for residential streets represents the commitment by Baltimore County to promote and maintain the safety and livability of the County’s residential neighborhoods. As congestion along the highway network has grown in frequency, magnitude, and duration, resourceful motorists have found bypass routes through local residential streets. Aggressive driving and a diminished respect for other motorists, pedestrians, traffic control devices and general rules of the road have become more common. Increased traffic volumes and vehicular speeds have negatively impacted the livability of many residential communities. In an effort to reduce the negative impact of traffic in our neighborhoods, the NTMP provides a process for identifying, evaluating and addressing undesirable traffic conditions relating to speed, volume and cut-through traffic in our residential neighborhoods. By working with the community and conducting the necessary traffic engineering studies, the Department of Public Works will assist the community in developing a plan to deal with these undesirable traffic conditions.”
Two of the goals listed with NTMP are: (1). Improving neighborhood livability by reducing speeds and (2). Promoting safe and pleasant conditions for residents, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.
As I respect Mr. Link’s opinion, I would have to disagree with him. The function of Campbell Blvd as Mr. Link stated, “is to serve commuter and emergency services.” I would like to draw your attention to a story that aired on the local Baltimore news on July 28, 2020. The segment focused on the tragic story of Deborah Limmer and Delaney Gaddis, a grandmother and granddaughter that were killed walking along a Baltimore County roadway. If you aren’t familiar with is story, please take a few minutes to review the attached article. What saddens me the most is that this community has been complaining since 1985 for something to be done, and it wasn’t until this fatal crash that Baltimore County was motivated to act. I pray Windlass Run and every other community around the world doesn’t have to deal with what happened two years ago to this family.
I don’t typically like to bring up police work, but as an active law enforcement officer in a neighboring jurisdiction, we are often reminded by our senior officers that “members of the community provide the best information.” The community members see it and live it every day. Since 1985, the aforementioned community members cried out to local officials for help, yet nothing was done. An innocent 5-year-old girl had to lose her life before Baltimore County agreed to install the devices. I would hate for my community to suffer a similar fate!
The Preserves at Windlass Run is a very active community. At any given day and time, you will see kids and adults riding bikes, running, and/ or walking. During the last two years our community has experienced an increase in the number of traffic and/or speed related incidents. At least one incident was a combination of driving too fast, and distracted driving. The result was a car nearly missed slamming into the front of a townhome located on Campbell Blvd. Please, take a moment to really visualize that scenario for a moment. The car darted across one lane of traffic, jumped a curb, ran through the front yard of several townhomes, and just missed slamming into the first story of one specific townhome. We were fortunate that no one at that time was walking, running or riding a bike!
With the daily complaints from our community members about travelers using Campbell Blvd as a speedway, these traffic/speeding related incidents are a trend that one can reasonably presume will only increase. To be fair, on several occasions Baltimore County Police have monitored the activity along Campbell Blvd, but they also have competing priorities. The bottom line is no one feels safe outside of a vehicle while on Campbell Blvd right now. We are asking for help before it’s too late, and again it should not take the tragedy of one to prevent further heartache in a community or family.
We are asking for assistance in making this roadway safe for anyone to travel. Thank you for your time regarding this matter.
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Petition created on August 11, 2020