Spring 2012

ASSocIATIoN & coMMuNITy NEwS
by offi cer Tim Mitten
Community Action Offi cer
Black Mountain Precinct
Phoenix Police Department
I
attend many community meetings and interact with numerous
residents in the communities I serve and one of the
more prevalent concerns brought to my attention, usually
right after burglaries or thefts is traffic issues. As police officers
we are responsible for a myriad of issues and problems in our
communities but when it comes to improving the quality of
life for our citizens, traffic matters!
We all have a responsibility as drivers of motor vehicles
to be watchful for other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and any
other obstacles or vehicles in or near the roadway. Children
who may be walking or riding their bikes to school present
many issues for drivers. Drivers should take extra precautions
while driving in the morning and afternoons where schools
are located and their surrounding neighborhoods. It is difficult
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to watch for children while you are driving if you are on your
cell phone, or being distracted by other occupants in the car.
Drivers also need to obey the speed limits, especially in school
zones. School zone speed limits are a zero tolerance area for
speed violations and anybody stopped for violating the speed
in a school zone will be cited. Your vehicle must be going 15
MPH as it enters the school zone at the first sign and stay at
15 MPH until your entire vehicle passes the crosswalk in the
school zone.
Speeding and cut through traffic in residential neighborhoods is
a widespread problem and is not more common in one area or
another. To address this issue I attempt a two pronged approach
of education and then enforcement, which can be a type of
education. We try various educational methods such as newsletters,
presentations and more to let people know that this has
been brought to our attention and that we will address the issue
by attempting to get drivers to slow down and stop by allowing
them the opportunity to change their behavior. Vast majorities
of the time, the ones speeding through the area are residents of
that area and even some times the resident who contacts us and
informs us of the problem is also caught speeding.
As officers are out on patrol and driving to and from calls or
doing other tasks, most drivers obey the traffic laws since they
see a police car. It is when there is no marked police vehicle in
sight is when most drivers will drive a little faster than normal,
not stop at stop signs or maybe rush to make it through a light
that is changing. We cannot be everywhere and it is everyone’s
responsibility to drive safely at all times. I understand
everyone is busy with work, school, kids, and the many other
things that our lives entail but good driving is a habit that
needs to be done at all times. The consequences can be very
costly financially if you are issued a citation or are the cause of
a wreck and also very costly emotionally if you injure or kill
another person due to bad driving.
If everyone takes a few moments to slow down and obey the
traffic laws, we can avoid many accidents. So, please slow
down, watch for children and be safe. If you have a speed
complaint, the City of Phoenix Traffic Complaint hotline
is 602-534-SPEED (7733). I can be reached at tim.mitten@
phoenix.gov or at 602-495-5238 if you have any questions or
concerns about this or any other issues.
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Desert Ridge Lifestyles Spring 2012