During a recent city council meeting, resident Jen Walters raised significant concerns regarding safety and traffic issues on Thunderbird Drive, particularly highlighting the dangers posed by increased pedestrian and vehicular activity over the holiday weekend. Walters described the area as having transformed into a \"crack circuit,\" with drivers bypassing traffic to avoid delays, which has raised alarms for local families.

Walters emphasized the need for improved pedestrian infrastructure, noting that while some roads like Donald Road have sidewalks, Thunderbird lacks adequate pedestrian pathways despite heavy foot traffic. She suggested the possibility of implementing a freeway stop at Lakewood to help slow down traffic, especially given the presence of families with young children and cyclists in the area.

In addition to advocating for better pedestrian safety measures, Walters proposed the installation of temporary speed tables on problematic streets. These could be marked and relocated as necessary to effectively manage speeding issues. She expressed concern over the increasing use of electric scooters and bikes on sidewalks, which is against state regulations, and warned that this could lead to serious accidents if not addressed.

Walters also suggested a creative solution for traffic enforcement: repurposing retired police cruisers to be parked in neighborhoods. She argued that having a visible police presence, even if it's just a parked cruiser, could deter speeding more effectively than stationary speed monitoring devices, which are often ignored by drivers.

Lastly, Walters mentioned the issue of fireworks in the community, indicating that they have become a source of disturbance and may require further discussion and regulation. The meeting underscored the urgent need for city officials to consider these safety concerns and explore potential solutions to enhance community well-being.