If you are one of the locals who drives through Laurel Hill along Silverbrook road each day, you have undoubtedly seen a police car or two parked in the cul-de-sac between Spring Hill and the old prison wall. As someone who passes this location at least four times per day, I feel like I should know the cops personally by now. Maybe engrave them a nameplate or at least have them pay property taxes on their little slice of road. If I didn’t know better, I’d think the county had parked one their empty squad cars in our community permanently—sealed their tires into the cement and laughed, knowing neighbors would hover over their brake as they passed, praying they weren’t driving over 35.
Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely understand the need for public safety, especially when this stretch of road houses two of our schools. But what I fail to understand (or maybe I am not aware of) is why other issues along this road aren’t being addressed. Why not ticket the students who dangerously jaywalk across four lanes of traffic instead of crossing at the light? Why not hang out closer to the curve by Laurel Crest Drive and catch the speeders who zip down the hill and endanger the drivers attempting to turn left. Surely the need for safety down on this stretch of road is just as important.
I can think of about a dozen other areas where speed traps or police presence would be welcome. Instead of hanging out by the prison wall for the fifth day in a row, I think the county should send their cars to Rt. 123 and catch the Indy 500 wannabees on their way to Starbucks in the morning. Or maybe spend some time making their presence known at the Burger King shopping center in the afternoons where some fights have recently broken out. And heck, since I’m making my wish list, I’d also like to see them catch the graffiti artists who are so fond of our neighborhood electrical boxes.
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At this point, I think most locals that drive along Silverbrook are very much aware of the speed trap. We all know that if you are going 40 or more, you’re going to get busted. The good news is that because we expect our friendly officer to be exactly in the same place each time, we don’t speed. With the exception of the impatient driver that is pulled over, we’re pretty much “in the know” about this trap. All I’m asking for is for them to mix it up a little, show their faces in other places and keep other parts of Laurel Hill just as safe.
