Residents press Long Branch council to increase enforcement at Woodgate-Cedar intersection after near-misses

Multiple residents told the Long Branch City Council on June 25 that speeding and poor driver behavior at the Woodgate and Cedar Avenue intersection create a persistent hazard for pedestrians, children and bicyclists.

Megan Tomlinson described the intersection as “incredibly dangerous” and said drivers often pass around stopped cars rather than yield. She told council she has recorded drivers and that “drivers simply being aware that they’re being watched has a deterrent effect.” Tomlinson said she had spoken that day with police and that the department had assured her of stepped-up enforcement.

Resident Matthew Macrinos described repeated incidents of aggressive driving near sundown and said parked cars and scooter use create visibility problems: “It’s a powder keg... Somebody’s going to die there,” he said, urging a stronger police presence.

Mayor and council members told residents the county has a planned road-diet for Cedar Avenue that would narrow lanes and slow traffic but that such projects can take years to design and implement. The mayor said the county’s project has federal grant funding but emphasized the timeline between engineering and construction can be multiple years.

Police and administration officials told residents they will increase enforcement in the interim, including targeted patrols and use of calibrated speed devices when available. The council did not adopt a new traffic ordinance at the meeting; residents were encouraged to follow up with police about enforcement schedules and project timelines.