By KEITH GRANT
Noting that Ocean View is used by more pedestrians than vehicles, Long Beach Police officials are looking to make the area safe from speeding cars.
'We're trying to make this as safe an area as possible for everyone who uses it, said Sgt. Gene Brown, commanding officer of the traffic division. Brown noted that many people use Ocean View as a promenade, leaving the tiny roadway busy with bikers, joggers, walkers and roller-bladers. Until now, there had never been anything to slow down or stop vehicular traffic crossing at intersecting avenues.
'Anything that stops traffic on Ocean View is great, said West Ender James Conlon of C.U.R.B. (Citizens of Remove Urban Barriers), who said he routinely sees cars heading down his block at over 40 miles per hour.
In addition to the stop signs, Brown said that police will be using several tactics to slow down that traffic. A radar operated vehicle will be used on some streets to inform drivers of their speed, and officers will be out stopping speeders, themselves.
'We don't want to make this area a speed trap, Brown said. 'We're not looking to generate revenue. However, police will be stepping up enforcement as a means of slowing down the neighborhood traffic.
Brown added that speed humps, such as the ones installed on some West End streets, are not an option for slowing cars. Aside from being a magnet for skateboarders, they ice over in the winter time and create problems for street cleaning vehicles during snow storms.
