To:   The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Massachusetts State Police, and Elected Officials

We, the undersigned residents of the Jamaica Hills neighborhood, are writing to urgently request immediate intervention regarding the dangerous and worsening traffic conditions on Centre Street, specifically the corridor between Murray Circle and Allandale Street. The excessive speeding has created a perilous environment at our side-street intersections.

Residents pulling out of these side streets face terrifying blind spots and speeding oncoming traffic. Pedestrians cannot cross safely. Properties are routinely damaged. Most recently, a neighbor was hit at the intersection of Louders Lane and Centre Street. His car was totaled and the speeding car left the scene of the crime. 

As longtime residents can attest, this has been a known problem for decades, but the frequency of near-misses and aggressive driving has escalated. We all share the same fear: How long before someone is or killed? We do not want action after a tragedy. 

We expect proactive intervention now  and respectfully demand the following prioritized actions:

1. An Immediate Community Safety Meeting

We request a full neighborhood meeting on June 17 at 7:00 on Zoom, attended by representatives from the DCR, Massachusetts State Police, local elected officials, and community stakeholders. We need a direct dialogue to establish a timeline for real solutions.

2. Immediate and Visible Traffic Enforcement

We do not need to wait for a multi-year traffic study to slow cars down today. We request the immediate deployment of State Police details to monitor speeds and enforce traffic laws along this specific stretch of Centre Street. Historically, a frequent police presence at the end of Louders Lane and near local driveways effectively deterred reckless driving. We need this corridor to instantly regain a reputation for strict speed enforcement.

3. Commitment to Engineering and Education

Simultaneous to immediate enforcement, we ask that the DCR and relevant agencies commit to:

• Immediate implementation of fully cycling lights at Hillcroft Road and Louders Lane.
• A localized traffic and safety study focusing on the sightlines, turning radii, and pedestrian vulnerabilities at Hillcroft Road, Louders Lane, Rambler Road, Westchester Road, and Whitcomb Avenue.
• The design and implementation of physical traffic calming measures to permanently reduce speeds.
• Improved signage and road markings to educate drivers entering a residential and hospital zone.

This is about protecting our quality of life and preventing a devastating, yet entirely predictable, accident. We ask our leaders and the responsible agencies to listen to this community and take meaningful action today.

Respectfully,

The Jamaica Hills Association

On behalf of the Undersigned Concerned Residents, Patients, Families, and Community Members