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Residents press council on speed humps, flashing stop signs and overnight WSSC work; council outlines fixes
Summary
Residents raised multiple safety and quality‑of‑life complaints — low-mounted flashing stop signs, dense placement of automated enforcement devices, overnight WSSC construction that blocked driveways, and recurring car 'takeover' events. Council and staff said they will raise problem stop signs, add striping at photo‑enforced stops and follow up with WSSC and county police on enforcement.
Multiple Glenarden residents used the May 18 public‑comment period to press the city council on traffic safety, overnight utility work and recurring late‑night vehicle gatherings.
Several residents said a new flashing stop sign on Glenarden Parkway was mounted too low and obscured by a crepe myrtle, making it difficult for drivers to see until they were at the intersection. Council members agreed to try raising the sign and to examine pruning or trimming that would preserve the tree while improving visibility. Staff also said taller posts have been ordered and curb painting and short‑term pruning were options.
Residents reported work by Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) contractors that extended into the early morning and blocked driveways. City Manager Stewart said he contacted WSSC and the contractor and will follow up with the city's liaison; a resident reported the contractor worked past 2:30 a.m. and in one account until 6:30–7:30 a.m.
Multiple speakers said the city now has many automated enforcement devices — speed humps, cameras and flashing signs — and that the concentration is excessive for a small municipality. One resident said the saturation has discouraged visitors and expressed concern about contested tickets. Staff noted that the stop sign cameras were installed primarily to address drivers who roll through stops and to protect pedestrians, including school children, and that striping to establish a clear stop line is in development.
Council also discussed police staffing and retention. Councilwoman Jones said the city must examine pay and benefits to retain officers; staff and the mayor said some enforcement revenue and camera collections (they reported about $275,000 collected so far) could help address staffing. The draft R-32 resolution presented earlier estimated a backlog of unpaid citations at more than $4.5 million — a figure that figured in council discussion about recovery options — but council members insisted those recovery mechanisms and any vendor contracts require attorney and procurement review before adoption.
Public safety concerns extended beyond automated enforcement. A resident reported repeated 'street takeover' events on Ruby Locker Boulevard in which dozens of cars converged late at night; police said they are coordinating with Prince George's County on stiffer legislation and enforcement tactics to address takeovers.
Next steps: staff will attempt short‑term fixes (raise or remount low stop signs, evaluate tree pruning, add striping at photo‑enforced stops), follow up with WSSC and the county liaison about overnight contractor hours, and continue police coordination on street‑takeover enforcement.
