Jacksonville Review – September 2023

In keeping with our policy of full transparency, our group, Citizens for a Safer Jacksonville, presented Mayor Donna Bowen, City Administrator Jeff Alvis, and Councilor Ken Gregg, a set of seven initial recommendations for consideration.

This meeting took place August 9, 2023, and the full presentation was sent to the entire City Council for their review and potential implementation.

The recommendations are as follows:

#1 Recommendation: One consistent Speed Limit inside the city limits of 20 MPH. We feel strongly that there is significant confusion as you enter town from West Main/238 due to 3 different speed limits within 1/4 mile! A simple change to 20 MPH throughout town could greatly reduce the risk to pedestrians. ODOT enacted a new law in 2022 that enables each city to set their own speed limits (after an engineering study.) We believe “TWENTY IS PLENTY” and research clearly shows this alone would save lives.

#2 Recommendation: Implementation of radar gun use by trained volunteers. Police Chief Towe has committed to borrowing 4 radar guns from Medford PD. Local volunteers, once screened and educated, could then check out radar guns to track speeders in town. Once returned, people speeding would be contacted and given a one-time warning. Several people have already indicated interest in assisting the Police in this endeavor. Yellow vests saying VOLUNTEER are suggested.

#3 Recommendation: Temporary banners at all 4 entrances to town. Install temporary banners at all town entrances to welcome people and to increase awareness of our speed limit and protect our pedestrians. Event announcements could also be included to enhance marketing our businesses, etc.

#4 and #5 Recommendations: Crosswalks and signage. This is perhaps the highest consistent concern among residents! We recommend repainting all existing crosswalks with white reflective paint, as well as adding several new crosswalks to dangerous areas in town. We list several new crosswalks to increase pedestrian safety. We also recommend painting a solid white reflective line with word ‘SLOW’ along the side of the road on S. Third Street, Applegate St. and S. Oregon Street. Currently our crosswalk signs do not state STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS! This is inadequate—signs need to be improved asap. Many residents have complained about personal close calls and harrowing events in these crosswalks, particularly the one at
G Street near Pioneer village and the school crossing.

#6 Recommendation: Trial use of speed humps. Despite past concerns, we believe that low (2”) speed humps, which are made of rubber, are highly reflective, and MOVABLE, would be useful in slowing down speeders on hilly streets, particularly on the south side of town. We propose a 6–12-month trial of 4 sets of inexpensive speed humps as an initial project.

#7 Recommendation: Increased enforcement of parking and moving violations. The cost of parking violations should be significantly increased, and can be written by trained volunteers which would reduce the burden on the Police. We MUST have enough Police to write moving violations, or the word spreads that breaking speed laws here holds no consequences. Additionally, trained volunteers can also assist the Police with charging and moving the current Your Speed Is signs around town, which are very useful in residential areas.

As Jeff Alvis has said so often, “This a town of volunteers,” to which we say, “Use us!” We hope this information is helpful to YOU, the citizens. We are seeking volunteers who might want to get involved in one or more of these areas. We welcome all ideas and encourage you to get involved—email your City Councilors (email addresses are listed in the Review) and attend the City Council meetings on the first Tuesday of every month. We MUST hold our officials accountable to protect our citizens, pets, and wildlife!

Respectfully, Cindy Rasmussen, Citizens for a Safer Jacksonville, email: oregongal@me.com