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Residents present petition asking Mount Vernon to study speed bump on Lafayette/Lorraine block; council directs DPW review
Summary
Residents presented a petition with 23 signatures at the April 9 council meeting requesting a speed hump or other traffic-calming measures on a Lafayette Avenue block (between Lorraine Place and Station Place), citing morning cut-through traffic and safety concerns for seniors and school pickups.
Connie Casey and her husband, Alexander Casey, told the council they collected 23 signatures from neighbors asking for a speed hump or other traffic-calming measure on their block — described in the petition as the stretch from Lorraine Place to Station Place off Lafayette Avenue — where residents, including many seniors, report motorists using the block to avoid congestion on East Lincoln Avenue.
"We have 23 signatures to support as we request for, a speed home or some other remedy ... because it's very dangerous," Connie Casey said, providing the couple’s address for the record. The petition cites morning traffic backups on East Lincoln Avenue and drivers cutting through the one-way block at speed, which residents said makes driveway exits and school pickups hazardous.
Council members responded with immediate follow-up steps. Council member Batson (addressing public safety and DPW) said the council would consult the Department of Public Works and public safety to determine whether a speed hump could be installed at the requested location and would inform the petitioners. Council member Thompson noted the block’s one-way status and explained that speed bumps are not always issued because they can impede emergency vehicles and sanitation operations; he said police presence might be a short-term alternative. Councilwoman Gleeson said she had alerted the deputy commissioner and asked the petitioners to give Antoinette (the legislative aide) the times of day when speeding is worst so staff could evaluate conditions during those hours. Gleeson also proposed developing a public survey and asked the commissioner of public works to join a potential meeting on the topic.
The council did not make a final decision at the meeting; members instructed staff and the relevant departments to visit the location, review feasibility and safety constraints (including emergency access), and report back to the petitioners and the council.
Ending
Petitioners were asked to provide contact details and time-of-day information to the legislative aide so DPW and public safety can inspect the site and return recommendations to the council.
