Alderwoman Samantha Nugent,
We are asking for speed bumps in the alley between the 5000 N Block of Lawndale and Ridgeway avenues to slow speeding drivers and make this alley safe for the people who live here. Every day, drivers speed through the alley, putting seniors, people walking their pets, and children. Because the alley is a dead end by the river, some drivers who don’t know that turn around and speed back south in frustration, creating even more danger.

For residents, even ordinary tasks have become risky. Taking out the garbage or slowly backing out of a garage feels risky when speeding drivers don’t stop or slow down. Children on these blocks are told never to go into the alley at all. That is no way to live in our own neighborhood.

Last night, a driver hit a cat, and our neighbors were heartbroken to find it dead. Think about how quick a cat is and consider how fast that driver must have been going. This is exactly the kind of harm we are trying to prevent. Speeding in this alley is a persistent public safety problem, and it is already causing pain to the community.

We ask that speed bumps be installed here as soon as possible. The next block’s alley, between Lawndale and Monticello, already has speed bumps, and they effectively deter speeding. Our alley needs the same protection. Please help us make sure that no one else is harmed by speeders in our alley.