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Council hears residents’ safety concerns at Rogers Park; police promise increased traffic patrols
Summary
Council members described speeding, motorcycle racing, poor lighting and near‑misses at Rogers Park; the deputy police chief said the traffic unit will increase patrols and the department is adding personnel and vehicles to concentrate enforcement during peak hours.
Council members raised safety concerns about Rogers Park during public‑safety discussion at the Nov. 7 meeting.
Councilman Simone described repeated incidents of reckless driving, motorbike racing and a recent crash that injured bystanders. He said the situation creates a perception that the park and adjacent roads are unsafe, particularly during peak evenings and youth sports events.
The deputy police chief said the department had not previously received a high volume of calls about reckless driving at that location but will address the issue by directing the traffic unit to concentrate patrols, particularly during evening hours and when games conclude. He noted the traffic unit has been expanded with additional staffing and that the department is assigning more marked and unmarked vehicles to support traffic enforcement.
Council members urged consistent bike patrol presence during busy times and better lighting. The deputy chief encouraged residents and vendors to call police when incidents occur so patrols can be timed to activity patterns. The council recorded agreement to the department’s plan and approved reports by voice vote; no formal ordinance or additional funding was proposed at the meeting.
