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North Olmsted residents urge council to act after repeated speeding, dangerous driving on MacKenzie Road
Summary
Several MacKenzie Road residents told the City Council on May 7 that persistent speeding, drag racing and near-miss collisions have made their street unsafe; they called for more enforcement, traffic-calming measures and outreach to local dealerships. City leaders pledged additional patrols and outreach.
Charlene Cehelnik, a MacKenzie Road resident speaking for a group of neighbors at the City Council meeting on May 7, said repeated speeding and dangerous driving have made the street unsafe and warned: "It's just a matter of time before somebody's going to get killed." Residents described incidents including near collisions, vehicles entering ditches and objects thrown from moving cars.
Mayor Dailey Jones told the meeting the City will pursue a sustained response. "We will make sure to extend that and make sure that MacKenzie gets the appropriate attention that it deserves from our officers," she said, citing prior special details and promising further action in coordination with the Safety Director.
Jennifer Scofield, the city's director of public safety, said the department is increasing enforcement and stepping up outreach to local dealerships after a recent meeting with one dealer about car shows and supercars. "We will continue to assign speed details to MacKenzie," she said, and added that she is issuing letters to dealerships on Lorain Road "to let them know about changes in state law regarding street takeovers from events like car shows." Scofield urged residents to call 911 if they perceive an immediate threat and to use the nonemergency line for other complaints so patrols can respond.
Residents asked the council to consider a range of traffic-calming measures. Ed Cehelnik suggested speed tables; Jim Grant asked whether a speed camera would act as a deterrent even if an officer is not present; Michael Lannon proposed lowering the speed limit from 35 to 25 mph for the street. Mary Hill requested additional signage warning drivers to watch for children.
City staff said the Public Safety Department will continue targeted speed details, the Service and Engineering departments will review roadway geometry where visibility is impaired, and the administration will follow up with dealerships to discourage street takeovers. Scofield said she will work with the City Engineer and Service Director to evaluate physical changes to the roadway and confirmed residents will be able to report incidents via 911 or the nonemergency line.
The exchange concluded with officials promising continued attention and follow-up; residents left the meeting with directives to the Safety Director and commitments to additional patrols and engineering review.
