In a city grappling with a surge in pedestrian deaths, Long Beach announced that another foot traveler was struck and killed last week, bringing the total this year to more than 50 fatalities – the highest in a decade.
Council Set to Vote on Speed Safety System
The Long Beach City Council is expected to cast a decision this week on funding a five-year pilot program called the Speed Safety System. The plan would place 18 speed cameras across the city, targeting the most dangerous intersections, including Ocean Boulevard and Pacific Avenue.
High-Risk Intersections Identified
A city map highlights 18 locations where speeding has been persistent and lives have already been lost. The high-priority corridor includes intersections on Anaheim, Artesia, PCH, 2nd, 7th, Atlantic, Long Beach, Ocean, and Willow Boulevards. Nine additional sites-Shoreline, Alamitos/Oceans, Bellflower, Cherry Avenue, and Santa Fe Avenue-are also slated for cameras.
Advocates Demand Immediate Action
Samantha Acosta, a Long Beach resident near Anaheim Boulevard, said, “Everyone who lives around here knows – if you have little kids, don’t let them walk around here.” Her words echo a growing chorus of advocates who have lost loved ones to traffic violence.
Grandma Beverly, who lost her five-year-old grandson in a pedestrian crash years ago and later co-founded SoCal Families for Safe Streets, added, “Speed cameras will work like red-light cameras. You’ll get used to them being there, and you’re not going to do the thing that breaks the law.”
Lili Trujillo Packet, founder of Street Racing Kills, also lost her 16-year-old daughter to street racing. She said, “I definitely think the camera will deter and save some lives.”
How the Program Would Work
Modeled after systems already in use in San Francisco, the proposed program would issue citations ranging from $50 to $500, depending on how far over the speed limit drivers are traveling. Trujillo Packet noted, “Once they get their first ticket, they’ll know there are cameras – and they’ll avoid them.”
The city officials say that if the council approves, the cameras could be installed and operational by next year.
Community Voices on Preventability
More than 50 pedestrians have been killed in Long Beach this year, a figure that has spurred grief and urgency among residents. Grandma Beverly remarked, “Ninety-five percent or more are preventable. Completely preventable, when you look into the actual crash.” She attributes the majority of deaths to speeding and distracted driving, both behaviors she believes the cameras can curb.
Next Steps
The upcoming council vote is more than a procedural decision; for families who have already lost loved ones, it represents a tangible step toward preventing the next empty chair at the table. The city’s leadership hopes the Speed Safety System will bring a measurable change in driver behavior and, ultimately, save lives.
Key Takeaways
- Long Beach plans to install 18 speed cameras as part of a five-year pilot.
- The program targets high-risk intersections identified on a city map.
- Advocates, including Grandma Beverly and Lili Trujillo Packet, urge swift implementation.
The city’s decision this week could mark a turning point in its fight against pedestrian fatalities, offering a concrete tool to deter speeding and protect vulnerable road users.
