Our community in Rancho Cucamonga, faces a significant safety concern that affects those of us who enjoy the park and trails. And childhood in general.  As a regular walker and jogger, I have experienced the hazards firsthand: the absence of street lighting, lack of traffic cameras, and a speed limit that feels alarmingly high particularly for an area populated by families, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

Imagine the anxiety of navigating these beautiful trails with your children or during the late hours when visibility is poor. Currently, bikers, walkers, joggers, and children who frequent our park and trails do so in the dark, which poses a serious risk to their safety. In many cases, drivers speed through without regard to the pedestrians, making the situation even more precarious without the accountability of traffic cameras.

https://www.dailybulletin.com/2025/11/08/car-strikes-kills-16-year-old-on-motorized-scooter-in-rancho-cucamonga/

We saw this first hand on November 8th 2025. Joan Rodriguez Aguilar, just 16 yrs old a sophomore at Rancho Cucamonga High School was struck by a Car and killed. Local P.D was not able to obtain camera footage from homes nearby or street camera footage due to the lack thereof. The vehicle was said to be going 50 miles per hour which is just 10 miles away from a highway, in front of a park and bike trail. It was stated she did not see him on his scooter. He was a light to our community and loved by so many. He wont live to ride his scooter around the park, he wont be here to walk across stage at his graduation. He will not live to celebrate another basketball game win because of this. He will never get to play at the park with his little sister, or hug his mom and dad.  We dedicate this to the Long live Joan Movement. 

Even more troubling is the speed limit. For an area that essentially functions as a school zone – filled with children, parents, and community members – it's unacceptable that vehicles are permitted to drive at speeds that endanger lives. It is vital that we implement a lower speed limit, especially in front of parks that are often adjacent to schools or areas where children gather.

Statistics from the Public safety and SBC.GOV indicate that reducing vehicle speed by just 10% can decrease pedestrian fatalities by 40%.  16 year old Joan is now apart of this percentage. Furthermore, better lighting and the installation of traffic cameras would not only enhance security but also act as a deterrent to reckless driving and aid in prosecuting traffic violations effectively.

The solution we propose is clear and actionable. Installing adequate street lighting will vastly improve visibility during the night, allowing for safer travels for everyone. Implementing traffic cameras will ensure drivers are held accountable for their actions. Adjusting the speed limit to a more appropriate level, especially in critical areas like parks and trails, will protect our community's most vulnerable members – our children.

We urge you, our local council and decision-makers, to take immediate steps toward these improvements. Enhancing safety measures by adding lights, cameras, and reducing speed limits is not just a proposal; it is a call to action for the safety of our community. 

Please support this petition to make our parks and trails safer for everyone. Your signature can help create the change we desperately need to protect our loved ones and community. Sign now to make a difference.