Resident urges Chino council for stronger traffic enforcement after near-accidents; council and police pledge follow-up

Donna Marchese, a Chino resident, used the public-comment period on Feb. 4 to urge the City Council to increase enforcement of traffic laws after experiencing two near-accidents in a single week.

Marchese described multiple unsafe behaviors she said are common in Chino: drivers running red lights and stop signs, speeding, passing on the right, heavy window tinting and school buses driving unsafely. She asked the council to consider a dedicated residential enforcement officer similar to existing commercial enforcement officers and suggested sting operations at businesses that tint windows illegally. "So can we do some enforcement here? Can we have a campaign or something? Because it's getting really bad out there," she told the council.

Council response and policing: Mayor (name not specified) agreed with Marchese and said staff would arrange a follow-up call. Chino Police Chief Minson reported to the council later in the meeting that traffic enforcement is a department priority and described a recent enforcement example: officers stopped a motorist on Ninth Street who was driving at a high rate of speed, issued a citation for reckless driving and had the vehicle impounded. Chief Minson said the department frequently writes tickets and that many dangerous drivers are eventually stopped.

Clarifying details: Marchese asked for targeted enforcement on items including tinted windows and running red lights. Chief Minson noted enforcement is ongoing and that officers are deployed in response to complaints and observed violations; he said impoundment is a tool for reckless driving enforcement.

Next steps: Staff said an officer or staff member would contact Marchese to discuss specific locations and possible targeted enforcement. Councilmembers urged residents to report locations and times to help police deploy enforcement where it is needed.