Resident describes serious parking‑lot crash, urges traffic calming; mayor pledges follow-up

A Saint Bernard resident urged the council to take action on chronic speeding and a recent parking‑lot crash that injured her daughter, and the mayor said the village will pursue options with the private property owner and pursue traffic calming on Greenlee Avenue.

Rebecca Blevins described the July 7 collision occurring between the Surefine and Wendy's parking lots that left her daughter's 2008 Honda Civic totaled and caused a displaced scapular fracture and a concussion. "My daughter's car was totaled," Blevins said, adding that the crash had also re‑traumatized her daughter, who is a childhood brain‑tumor survivor. She said the lot lacks markings and cameras and urged the village to install a speed bump, painted lines or a stop sign to protect children who walk through the area to Ross Park.

Mayor Stutchell responded that the area is private property and the village cannot unilaterally install physical traffic calming there, but he said officials "could work on trying to see what potentially could be done" and that they maintain a working relationship with the property owners. He also said the village is expanding camera coverage and that Greenlee Avenue is slated for a resurfacing project that will include speed cushions; however, he cautioned engineering and grant timing likely mean full work will not be completed this year.

Blevins said the family had documentation and a police daily report completed by the responding officer and offered photos to council. The mayor asked staff to coordinate with the director of service and with management of the shopping-center property to assess possible mitigation steps.

Councilors and residents also raised the broader idea of a traffic‑focused enforcement officer; one speaker asked whether a dedicated officer to address speeding could be reconsidered. No immediate policy change or ordinance resulted from the public comment; staff follow-up was the primary outcome.