Higher speed limits pose danger

I noticed that speed limit signs were changed in Redlands around October of 2009 at various locations throughout the city. I feel this is a mistake in the residential areas of our city.

As a resident of our city, I feel that our scenic streets set us apart from the overcommercialized and blighted streets of our surrounding communities. They should be safe and enjoyed by multiple types of users.

I live on Sunset Drive and have to live with speeding and distracted drivers all of the time. Raising the speed limit on Alta Vista only exacerbates the problem. There are no sidewalks in this area of our city and the street serves many types of users from cars, runners, cyclists, kids walking to and from their bus stops, people walking their dogs, people out for a walk, neighbors walking over to see other neighbors.

Our street is used for the Redlands Bicycle Classic and the Run Through Redlands and is part of the Scenic Drive through Redlands.

I see cars and motorcycles racing down our street in excess of 50 mph routinely since our section of Sunset Drive is relatively straight.

I have a friend who was almost killed when he was struck by a vehicle on Alta Vista Drive and South Lane when it turned into him while he was on a bike. He suffered grave injuries but lived. This is a particularly dangerous section for pedestrians and even other vehicles due to the curves, the narrow section of the

road, the sun directly in the drivers' eyes in the morning and late afternoon, and the speed at which many drivers take this section of road.

I frequently see other cars crossing the center line as they try to cut the corner, talking or texting on their phone, or have the sun is in their eyes.

I saw another accident at Sunset and Palo Alto involving a vehicle and pedestrian about one year ago but don't know the details. The intersection was filled with fire and police and cars were detoured around on different streets.

In our era of ever more distracted drivers (texting, phone, iPods, eating, makeup, shaving, etc.), I strongly feel that raising the speed limits on our residential streets endangers any pedestrian, child or animal who shares the street with vehicles and reduces the quality of life that Redlands citizens have enjoyed in the past.

Racing to the next stop sign or traffic signal only saves seconds. A person's life or the quality of all of our lives is more important than being able to drive faster while we talk on the cell phone.

Allen Hwang

Redlands

Job well done by Redlands police

Today (Jan. 5) our fenced backyard was invaded by a fleeing perp who hid in our storage house after having allegedly burglarized another south Redlands home. In mere moments our quiet neighborhood was teeming with policemen (uniforms and plain-clothes) in black and whites, motorcycles and unmarked cars.

These truly wonderful professionals kept us apprised of their activities and kept us safe while they captured the man and took him away. It was a job well done by all of them. Then they completely repaired a fence gate that was broken in the search and also advised us on safety and security measures.

It was such a whirlwind event and I was so excited I didn't get the officers' names, but I definitely want to thank them. I want Redlands to know how thankful we are for RPD's care and professionalism. This was an excellent example of our policemen keeping us safe and secure.

Those who criticize the Police Department had better reconsider the true value of our police. I don't want to think about a city like ours being without these dedicated officers.

Thanks, thanks, thanks!

Virginia Fogle

Redlands