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Mother urges speed bumps and enforcement after child's fatal crash; council commits to look at signage and enforcement
Summary
A grieving mother asked Chester leaders for speed bumps, flashing signs and enforcement on Tillman Street and citywide; council members said enforcement and signage would be prioritized and staff would price out options.
A Chester resident told the City Council on Wednesday that traffic-calming measures are overdue in residential neighborhoods and pleaded for physical and enforcement changes after losing her son to a speeding vehicle.
Tanisha Palmer, who identified herself as a long-time resident of the Ruth L. Bennett Homes and as a grieving mother, described the 2007 death of her 7-year-old son, Sharron Cruz, struck by a speeding vehicle on the 1300 block of Tillman Street. “The impact was so forceful, it sent his body to the next 100 block,” Palmer said. “This is not an isolated incident. It is a symptom of a larger issue. The lack of basic safety infrastructure and the traffic enforcement in our community.”
Palmer urged the council to install speed bumps, visible children-play signs, flashing lights and clear posted speed limits. “These measures can and do save lives,” she said, adding that the community has repeatedly asked for action without results.
Council members responded that speeding is a citywide problem and that some measures, such as speed bumps, are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The mayor said enforcement is lacking and that signage and larger projects often require external approvals or funding. Councilor West offered to work with city staff and Public Works to price signage for the Tillman Street area and to begin the process immediately.
Police and public-safety officials at the meeting described how citations are processed: state-issued citations send fines largely to the state, and magistrate-generated citations provide a portion of revenue to the city. The official who addressed citation procedures encouraged residents to document violations and provide video or plate numbers to assist enforcement and follow-up.
Council members and city staff suggested a combination approach: pursue grant or donor funding for physical measures where appropriate, expand targeted enforcement, and engage residents in reporting habitual violators. Council members also invited Palmer to remain involved and to work with staff on a focused proposal covering the full length of Tillman and adjacent blocks.
Ending: Councilors asked staff to price signage and report back; they emphasized that broader traffic-safety work — including the recently authorized SS4A grant application for a local corridor — is part of ongoing efforts to improve safety across Chester.
