About 15 people from the Toddy Hill Road neighborhood attended a Police Commission session on May 7 to push for better police control of reckless drivers and speeders who pass through their area while traveling on the road, which links Sandy Hook to Botsford.

The Police Commission also is the Traffic Authority, addressing traffic issues on local roads.

The intense May 7 session was reminiscent of a May 2, 2017, Police Commission meeting, which about a dozen Toddy Hill Road area residents attended to stress the need for better control over errant drivers in that area. Early on the morning of May 2, 2017, a serious one-car accident had occurred on Toddy Hill Road, near Clearview Drive.

Since then, a handful of Toddy Hill Road area residents have regularly attended monthly Police Commission sessions to stress the need for better control over speeders and reckless drivers.

In response to continuing public complaints, police stepped up their traffic enforcement along Toddy Hill Road, issuing many violations to offending motorists. The street is considered a “shortcut” between Sandy Hook and Botsford, drawing heavy traffic flow during the morning and evening rush periods.

Toddy Hill Road area residents recently were heartened to learn that the town will be installing two solar-powered electronic speed displays along that street. Town police have had their portable electronic speed display positioned in that area. It was in use there on May 8.

A petition addressing public safety issues posed by speeding/reckless drivers reportedly has been circulated in the Toddy Hill Road area. A copy of that document, however, was not available.

Over the past two years, Toddy Hill Road area residents have told the Police Commission members that a police presence in the area holds down travel speeds, but after the police depart, motorists drive fast again. Police have made traffic enforcement in that area a high priority.

Solutions Suggested

Some residents at the May 7 session questioned the effectiveness of electronic speed displays in holding down travel speeds, saying that stop signs or speed bumps would be more effective devices.

Bill Duffy of Pilgrim Lane said he would like to have stop signs installed on Toddy Hill Road at its intersection with Still Hill Road. “That electronic sign is a joke,” he said.

Chris Capozziello of Pilgrim Lane said, “It’s a zoo up there” of Toddy Hill Road. “It’s unsafe. There’s rampant speeding.”

Henry Lopez-Cepero of Toddy Hill Road repeatedly stressed the seriousness of the situation and the public safety hazards that it poses.

Susan Benedetti of Clearview Drive suggested that stop signs or speed bumps be installed on Toddy Hill Road to address the speeding problems there. “This is a safety issue and a quality of life issue,” she said. An electronic speed display is not needed, she added.

Thomas Mapes of Toddy Hill Road said commercial trucks should not travel on that street. More police should patrol the area and stop signs should be installed, he said.

Police Commission Chairman Joel Faxon said the state does not want stop signs posted on major roadways to serve as speed control devices.

During the past several years, Police Commission members have not had speed bumps installed on local roads even though neighborhood groups have occasionally pushed for such devices.

The Police Commission takes the Toddy Hill Road speeding problem seriously, Mr Faxon said, noting the heavy police presence there that has followed complaints from the public.

Police Chief James Viadero commented that police have spent much time enforcing traffic laws along Toddy Hill Road. “We’ll be out there... We’re going to do what we have to do,” he said.