[Community] : Re: Speeders in your neighborhood
David Oaks
oaks at mindfreedom.org
Sat Apr 26 09:38:56 PDT 2008
Thanks!
I'll bet we could brainstorm a HUGE list of potential activities that
might help impact speed -- ranging from public education to
mechanical changes to street. It's a fascinating topic, and really
about the whole fabric of our current society.
In terms of radar gun, please note that this is just an e-mail list
-- not a decision-making body. I've found that "e-archy" (rule by e-
mail) doesn't really work very well! ;)
So it's an *** INDIVIDUAL DECISION *** to get training on using the
radar gun. The decision to OFFER radar gun training to neighbors is a
city level decision, and not made on the neighborhood level (or e-
mail list level). The decision to TAKE radar training is up to
individual citizen and their initiative.
Just a few quick notes - because no time for in depth discussion (and
best for me to have in depth discussion face-to-face, speaking of non-
anonymous communication!), but.... and following isn't in stone
because it's by memory from a few years ago:
** I understand neighborhood radar gun use is pretty visible, not
hidden... The two neighbors stand out pretty visible on the sidewalk,
so just being there is part of the public education. One neighbor
uses the gun, the other is a spotter.
** Action is taken only when the individual is going more than ten
(10) miles over speed limit. The alleged speeder gets a warning letter.
** If the same speeder is caught again by radar, I believe they may
get another letter, etc. but then the next step is a personal visit
to their home. My understanding is that this almost NEVER happens. In
other words, after being caught twice, the speeders STOP. Now, it's
true maybe the speeder may be upset -- aren't we all upset when we're
caught for traffic violation? So public education prevention is
better. But... the reality is... sometimes one simply has to stop
speeding, period, and if a speeder gets real upset... well, they may
want to try meditation or yoga. Bottom line is, in the city
experience at least for the short term, the repeat speeding stops.
Pet owners on our street get really upset when the many cats here get
hit by speeders.
And to repeat, of course, a comprehensive approach to speeding would
involve a LOT of activities, including public education, prevention,
mechanical changes, etc. I'd rather have an "X and Y" approach,
rather than an "X or Y" approach, because a lot of changes are
needed. If an individual WANTS to take the time to get trained at
radar I hope they do -- and they can set up shop right in front of
our house! I'll set up a lawn chair and wave to some of the cars
coming by!
David
On Apr 25, 2008, at 4:44 PM, HappyHeartMom at comcast.net wrote:
> David--
>
> Whatever your group decides on is ok because I have time
> constraints and cannot participate much with this issue, but in
> general, judging from these correspondences, I think the radar-gun
> solutions represent a little over-kill and can only generate more
> hostility. I am fundamentally against having faceless, anonymous
> people making complaints against others. Speed might have been a
> factor in the recent tragedy, but other factors also contributed,
> namely poor judgment in continuing around after another car had
> already stopped--is my understanding correct? Some of the other
> suggestions are fine, signs, having a car's speed register so it
> can be seen to the driver, but I cannot support a vigilante
> approach. By the way, I also have a high-school age child and my
> sympathies are for anyone who loses a child for any reason.
>
> Other more progressive responses could include volunteering time
> with youth and give presentations on the consequences of one's
> actions and how they can affect people for a lifetime. This could
> build life-long connections and for the time spent, I believe would
> have greater amount of positive impact on our community in the long
> run.
>
> Thanks for listening. You are free to forward these comments out or
> not,as you see fit.
> ...Mariah (M)
> -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: David Oaks <oaks at mindfreedom.org>
>> Thanks for your enthusiasm Vincent!
>>
>> Maybe someone (maybe here) will take on organizing that and gathering
>> your number, but I am NOT aware of anyone currently doing that, so I
>> don't think your phone number will be gathered and used at this
>> point. Anyone taking that on?
>>
>> Maybe you are the organizer!
>>
>> So it looks like that old story, "Give someone a fish they eat once,
>> teach 'em to fish and they're gone a lot of weekends." Or something
>> like that.
>>
>> Here's the deal:
>>
>> When I investigated the radar gun training a few years ago, I talked
>> to the police officer in charge of the program. She wrote down my
>> name and phone number, and told me that when she gets up to X number
>> of people, she then gives the training.
>>
>> She also said that often she has cancellations, and people who signed
>> up for one reason or another can't go due to scheduling.
>>
>> That's what happened to me, despite good intentions.
>>
>> Anyway, my point is: Back then (just a few years ago), one simply
>> phoned up the City and asked, and got referred to the officer in
>> charge of the program, and she added your name to the list.
>>
>> I just tried the phone number I gave out the other day, and it rang
>> and rang (maybe too late in the day on a Friday).
>>
>> I'd suggest phoning there, or the general non-emergency eugene police
>> phone number 682-5111
>>
>> Ask for the officer in charge of radar gun training to prevent
>> speeding.
>>
>> Sign up.
>>
>> Then WRITE UP info on how others can do same, and post here.
>>
>> I did this a few years ago, but currently swamped with a behind-
>> deadline writing assignment... for someone in Australia! Guess they
>> can't fly in and demand it, but I still need to do it.
>>
>> David
>>
>>
>> On Apr 24, 2008, at 12:19 PM, vincent Puleo wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Put me down as a vol for the radar gun. The S curve at the
>>> corner of Colony Oaks and Timberline is a good candidate.
>>>
>>> Vince
>>>
>>> 3822 Colony Oaks Drive.
>>>
>>> Office: 541.687-1663 ext. 210
>>>
>>> Cell: 541.729.0023
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:49:56 -0700
>>>> From: alan at churchillareaneighbors.org
>>>> To: community at lists.churchillareaneighbors.org
>>>> Subject: Re: [Community] Speeders in your neighborhood
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, April 24, 2008 9:09 am, vincent Puleo wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> I wish that Neighborhood Watch would take on "speeders" on our
>>>>> streets -
>>>>> both day and night and especially both rush hours.
>>>>>
>>>>> Vincent S. Puleo
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> If we can find enough volunteers, we can get some people trained
>>>> in the
>>>> radar gun program.
>>>> Basically, you and a volunteer record the particulars of a speeder
>>>> and
>>>> they get a letter from the police department advising them to slow
>>>> down.
>>>>
>>>> -Alan
>>>> Chair, Churchill Area Neighbors
>>>>
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>>
>> David W. Oaks, Executive Director
>> MindFreedom International
>> 454 Willamette, Suite 216 - POB 11284
>> Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA
>>
>> web: http://www.mindfreedom.org
>> email: oaks at mindfreedom.org
>> office phone: (541) 345-9106
>> fax: (541) 345-3737
>> member services toll free in USA: 1-877-MAD-PRID[e] or 1-877-623-7743
>>
>> United Independent Action for Human Rights in Mental Health!
>>
>> MindFreedom International is an non-profit coalition with a vision of
>> a non-violent revolution in mental health. Accredited by the United
>> Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Consultative
>> Roster Status.
>>
>> Join now! http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate
>>
>> "Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted."
>> - Martin Luther King, Jr.
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
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> Community mailing list for CAN
> Community at lists.churchillareaneighbors.org
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David W. Oaks, Executive Director
MindFreedom International
454 Willamette, Suite 216 - POB 11284
Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA
web: http://www.mindfreedom.org
email: oaks at mindfreedom.org
office phone: (541) 345-9106
fax: (541) 345-3737
member services toll free in USA: 1-877-MAD-PRID[e] or 1-877-623-7743
United Independent Action for Human Rights in Mental Health!
MindFreedom International is an non-profit coalition with a vision of
a non-violent revolution in mental health. Accredited by the United
Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Consultative
Roster Status.
Join now! http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate
"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
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