THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510110219
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
Tammy Day of Shadowlawn wants to know how she can ``get the police to slow down the traffic on Rudee Avenue.''
Dot in Thalia is worried about the lack of speed limit enforcement around her neighborhood elementary school.
Mr. Rosenthal thinks we should hire auxiliary police to keep those light-runners and illegal right-turners in line at the intersection of Rosemont Road and Virginia Beach Boulevard.
It seems no matter what the problem, nearly everyone mentions the ``police'' as the solution.
When the well runs dry and there is no money for improvements, like expanding Rosemont and the Boulevard or installing speed bumps in neighborhoods, the only solution left seems to be enforcement of the law.
Problem is, there aren't nearly enough cops to go around.
Lou Thurston, public relations guru with the Virginia Beach Police Department, says that there are about 1 1/2 cops for every 10,000 people in our city.
In June, Thurston counted 642 officers on the force and that included everyone from the chief on down to administrative officers.
As for working radar units, there are three in the first and second precincts, one in the third and two in the fourth. Twenty-six other radar units are used in special operations.
That's it. That's all the crime-fighting power this city of some 421,000 people has.
And we wonder where the cops are when someone runs a red light? Heck, we're lucky if they have someone to send for a robbery.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Penny Hall, No Address Given. I would like to know when they are going to remark ROUTE 44, as far as the lines go? I was driving in the rain and you can't even tell what lane you're in because there are no painted lines. Thank you.
RW: The Virginia Department of Transportation routinely paints or remarks the lines every six months. The department's engineer is going to check to see if maybe it's not time to do it again, per your request.
Thanks, Penny.
Marilyn Imeson-Ernst, Kennesaw Court. At the intersection of WHITEHURST LANDING and PROVIDENCE ROAD, we've finally gotten a stop light and I just think it's wonderful.
The bad news, however, is that when they put up the sign to indicate there is a new traffic signal they put it right behind a tree so you cannot see one of the signs with the little flags drawing attention to it. Here they spent all the time and effort putting in a traffic signal, putting up signs in all four directions and one of the signs is behind a tree, directly behind the limbs. It makes a great picture, you should take a look.
RW: Well, Marilyn, Road guesses that the sign hanger was asleep the day that sign was hung.
Road alerted engineers and they've promised to check it out.
Terry, No Address Given.Coming off ROUTE 44, the first NEWTOWN ROAD exit that lets you out by the Comfort Inn (formerly Ramada Inn), the stop sign's missing, or rather the ``no right turn on red,'' sign is down. The last couple of times I've been there everyone takes that right turn going toward Princess Anne Road without stopping and waiting for the stop light and that's a busy intersection. We kind of need that ``no right turn on red '' sign and it's lying on the ground. Thanks, bye.
RW: They won't be taking that right turn for long. Road called Norfolk engineers (it's in their jurisdiction) and they'll be out pronto to get that sign back up. They also asked that Road thank you for calling. That's one more sign they won't have to buy, assuming it's still lying there.
Bill Thomas, No Address Given. In the paper, I think you should have responded to this character Rick about the SHORE DRIVE patrol officer, when he replied, ``what I'd really like to see is someone run over the short blonde with the stop sign.'' That gives you a pretty good idea of what kind of drivers we have out there. Otherwise, I think you're doing a pretty good job. Thank you.
RW: Road was tempted to make just such a comment about Rick.
However, Road figured that readers are bright enough to realize that Rick's elevator doesn't go all the way up.
Debbie Shaw, No Address Given. I'm calling about the entrance ramp from SALEM ROAD onto FERRELL PARKWAY. People coming from Salem going onto Ferrell from Princess Anne have a yield sign but nobody ever yields there. They need to look up and read the sign. Yield means YOU. Thank you.
RW: What a great idea for a bumper sticker: ``Yield Means YOU.''
Bobby Oakley, North End. What's the chance of getting ``no right turn on red'' signs covered up down here at the Oceanfront during the off-season? It sure would make getting around a little bit easier or quicker. Maybe they can just cover them up with burlap like they do a lot of signs around here.
RW: It sounds like a good idea, Bobby, but it's not.
Or, engineers say it isn't.
The right turn on red signs operate in conjunction with exclusive pedestrian signals. Folks are supposed to stop and not turn right on red because pedestrians have been given an exclusive green light to cross the street. If you cover the ``no right turn on red'' signs, then the pedestrian signs must be covered, too. Or, if you cover one and not the other, then some poor pedestrian's going to think he has the right of way just as someone goes to make a right turn after stopping.
Although fewer pedestrians are out during the winter, it's not worth the risk to even one of them. MEMO: Tell the Road Warrior about your motoring problems. Get 'em off your
chest. Call on Infoline, at 640-5555. After a brief message, dial ROAD
(7623). When directed, press 1 to deliver your message, and 1 again to
sign off.
Or, write: The Road Warrior, Virginia Beach Beacon, 4565 Virginia
Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va., 23462.
Don't forget to include your name, address and neighborhood.
by CNB