Residents and council members debate speed-hump placement and school traffic safety in Poughkeepsie

Residents and council members raised concerns Sept. 2 about temporary speed humps placed near city schools and about new elementary-school bus routes that may change local traffic patterns.

Public commenter Daniel Latona, who said he lives in Ward 8, reported he would observe traffic at Krieger Elementary on the first day of school and relayed two resident requests regarding a temporary speed hump outside the school: lengthen the hump so drivers cannot go around it, and move the hump so it is not directly across from a resident's front door because of noise when vehicles pass over it. Latona said the city had recently placed temporary speed humps as a pilot program and that residents had raised those concerns.

Councilwoman McClinton raised the same enforcement concern during council remarks, saying she had received calls from residents reporting that some drivers were going around the speed humps. "I have not only witnessed people going around them, but I've had some phone calls in the ward," McClinton said at the meeting.

Chairman Wilson also advised drivers to expect changed traffic patterns because elementary busing has been increased this school year; he warned residents to allow extra travel time and suggested avoiding routes near schools if necessary. Wilson said this busing change was the first he could recall in about 30 years and asked residents to be patient.

The council did not record any formal action at the Sept. 2 meeting to change the speed-hump program, to require pre-placement notice to adjacent homeowners, or to alter enforcement. The transcript records discussion and resident requests but no motion, referral, or staff directive tied to the speed-hump placement during the session.