In response to more than a dozen deaths due to motor vehicle collisions, hit-and-runs, and pedestrian, bicyclist and motorcyclist deaths in the past few years in Sunland-Tujunga, the Safe Traffic and Transportation (STAT) Committee of the Sunland Tujunga Neighborhood Council recently initiated a “No Speeding” yard sign campaign. This campaign follows an extensive community survey in which over 85% of the respondents said they felt unsafe driving on the high-speed corridor of Foothill Boulevard. The Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council funded this project with co-sponsorship from the San Fernando Valley Partnership and the Los Angeles City Mayor’s Office.

“Unsafe driving conditions are the number one complaint in our community today and that is based on rampant traffic offenders who drive very fast, don’t obey stop signs, and swerve around other cars in moving traffic,” said Pat Kramer, chairperson of the STAT committee. “Two years ago, we requested that our community receive $80,000 in funding from the LA City Council to fund overtime for additional Valley Traffic officers. However, we have yet to receive any confirmation of this happening.”

Added STAT co-chair Jon von Gunten, “At every Neighborhood Watch meeting and on social media, we hear strident complaints of widespread traffic offenders whose reckless driving puts everyone else in danger. We have surveyed our community and it is clear that this problem is not going away.”

On Feb. 6 the STAT Committee held a free yard sign event promoting safe driving after the STNC board approved funding for the campaign.

“While the initial thought was that we would print 50 signs and distribute them to our stakeholders, our sign-up list showed a need for far more signs. In the end, we only had funding for 100 signs and all 100 signs were picked up – and more were requested after our event,” sad Kramer.

Now signs warn drivers on feeder streets and the dual speedways of Foothill and Tujunga Canyon boulevards – frequent sources of complaints and collisions. The large, red, white and black large “No Speeding” lawn signs warn scofflaws on S-T streets that they will be reported via LAPD’s Valley Traffic enforcement phone number. Additionally, they are given warning that radar is in use in the area and that in the future they may be the recipients of a very expensive radar ticket.

“It wasn’t quick or easy,” said Kramer. “LAPD and Valley Traffic are stretched thin, but they have been super-cooperative and, despite COVID restrictions on our live event, LA City employees found ways to work within the rules to help us make it happen. And the result has been applause and encouragement from local residents. These signs dot lawns and lots all over Sunland-Tujunga!”

“It’s an incremental process,” said STAT co-chair von Gunten. “No single project can rewrite criminal behavior. It takes ongoing civic/city cooperation and ongoing projects. Valley Traffic and Foothill Station understand. Speed Task Forces unite volunteers with police chase vehicles to nab speeders.”