Wescosville Residents Voice Concerns

Although the speed limit is 25 mph in the townhouse neighborhood of the Shepherd Hills development, Terry Henry of 5667 Greens Drive estimates some drivers hit at least 40 mph, he told the Lower Macungie Public Safety Commission at the July 19 meeting.  

“People are just driving too fast,” Henry said. 

As a matter of fact, he said he purchased a radar gun and, having used it several times, can prove drivers go in excess of 30 mph on Greens Drive.

“There are lots of kids living here,” he said. “Something needs to be done before something happens to one of them.”

“I know the feeling,” he said as his voice trailed off. “I was involved in an accident in 1994 where two people were killed and I don’t want to see it happen again.”

One parent purchased a sign in hopes of slowing down the traffic. It's a heavy plastic, bright yellow life-size cutout of a small child. The sign on the yellow plastic says, "Caution: Children at Play."

It has already been replaced after .

However, Lower Macungie Board of Commissioners President Roger Reis took issue with the placement of the cutout.

“You cannot privately put anything in the street. The placing of these signs onto a roadway by private citizens is illegal," Reis said.

Henry also suggested using removable speed bumps at a cost of $78 each. They could be used from April through October -- the months children are outside playing the most, and removed before the snow begins to fly.

Safety Commission member George Caldarelli agreed Henry and his neighbors had a good reason to worry.

“This is a legitimate concern; however, speed bumps are not permitted on a public street," Caldarelli said.

The Pennsylvania State Police have been notified of the speeding problems and have increased their presence in the area, but it doesn’t appear to have made much of a difference, residents said.

Reis said a second speed limit sign will be installed on Greens Drive.  He said he will also speak to Township Engineer William Erdman about putting up “Children at Play” signs throughout the development. 

“We need to protect our children,” Reis said.  “They deserve a safe neighborhood.”

The Public Safety Commission will continue to look into the matter to see what improvements can be made, said Scott Forbes, Public Safety Commission chairman.

And though there will be no speed bumps, Greens Drive neighbors were pleased with the results of the meeting.