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Residents urge action after nightly street racing, cite recent pedestrian death
Summary
At the Nov. 24 Marshalltown City Council meeting, residents described recurring nighttime street racing on Third Avenue and other corridors, said the activity runs late into the night and urged stronger enforcement after a recent pedestrian fatality.
Residents used the public-comment portion of the Marshalltown City Council meeting on Nov. 24 to press the council and police for action after repeated, loud street racing in residential neighborhoods.
"They're doing it between 7 and 4 a.m. in the morning," said Charles Slogan of 406 North 3rd Avenue, who identified himself as "Doc," and told the council a woman walking across Third Avenue was struck and later died. Julian Ballard of North Second Avenue said the racing is "horrendous," warning, "Something's got to be done or we're going to have somebody killed." Lonnie Hogland echoed the call for caution and asked motorists to "slow down and move over."
The comments described modified vehicles with loud mufflers and repeated late-night revving on Third Avenue and adjacent corridors. Speakers urged targeted enforcement and community education to reduce speeding and dangerous driving near residences and schools.
Council members heard public comment during the standard public-comment period; there was no formal motion reported at the meeting directing immediate new enforcement steps. The speakers framed the issue as a public-safety concern and asked the mayor and council to consider options such as increased patrols or targeted traffic enforcement in the affected neighborhoods.
